Steele D.R. Atheism Explained: From Folly to Philosophy

Open Court, 2008. — 331 p. — (Series: Ideas Explained).Atheism Explained explores the claims made both for and against the existence of God. On the pro side: that the wonders of the world can only be explained by an intelligent creator; that the universe had to start somewhere; telepathy, out-of-body experiences, and other paranormal phenomena demonstrate the existence of a spirit world; and that those who experience God directly provide evidence as real as any physical finding. After disputing these arguments through calm, careful criticism, author David Ramsay Steele presents the reasons why God cannot exist: monstrous, appalling evils; the impossibility of omniscience; and the senseless concept that God is a thinking mind without a brain. He also explores controversial topics such as Intelligent Design, the power of prayer, religion without God, and whether a belief in God makes people happier and healthier. Steele’s rational, easy-to-understand prose helps readers form their own conclusions about this eternally thorny topic.Mere Atheism
One Kind of God-and a Few Alternatives
Religion Can Do Without God
The Arguments for God
Paley's Challenge to Atheism and Darwin's Answer
The Objections to Darwinism
Did Someone Set the Dial?
Does God Explain Why Anything Exists?
Can We Prove God Exists by Pure Logic?
Do We Get Our Morals from God?
Can We Know God Directly?
Faith Doesn't Have a Prayer
The Holy Bible Isn't Wholly Reliable
Did God Compose the Quran?
The Arguments Against God
How to Prove a Negative
Vast Evil Shows There Is No God
Can Human Free Will Explain Why God Allows Vast Evil?
Can God Be a Person?
What God Can't Do and What God Can't Know
Is There a Spirit World?
Postscript to Part III: Bad or Feeble Arguments Against God
God or the Truth?
Atheism Is Irresistible
Disillusioned and Happy
Notes