HumanisTim

I've been thinking that a good idea for a book. Could be one about atheism directed towards Christians. Not as an attack on their beliefs. More as something to help bridge the gap. The book could be used to try to help them understand where we come from better. Does anyone know if there's anyting out there like this?

Eudaimonist

Wow... no... I've never heard of an outreach book of that sort. It's an interesting idea, though I wonder if Christians would buy the book. Maybe it would make a good gift to give a Xian relative though.

Starboy

If you want to get Christians to read it, get it banned by the church.

Starboy

David Bowden

One book that might qualify is George H. Smith's Why Atheism. I don't recall it being specifically addressed to Christians, but rather it's generally aimed at the thoughtful person not familiar/comfortable with the idea/implications of atheism.

That said, I think it could do a pretty good job at what you suggested: "The book could be used to try to help them understand where we come from better."

From Amazon.com's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/1573922684/reviews/104-7814705-3039925#15739226845000" target="_blank">book description</a>:

Is that sort of what you're looking for?

I don't own a copy myself, but have have skimmed it and recommended it to a couple of theists who don't seem to have bothered following up on it. If you've read Smith's Atheism: the Case against God, this is much less confrontational, but every bit as clear in its declaration and argument that atheism is a more justified position than theism.

-David

edited to add:

You might also check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573922145/ref=pd_sim_books/104-7814705-3039925" target="_blank">What is Atheism?</a> by Douglas E. Krueger. I haven't read this one, but it came up on Amazon and looked promising. One editorial review there says:

"Many questions and concerns arise when believers question the purpose and meaning they suspect is lacking in the lives of nonbelievers. Douglas Krueger contends that atheism is a powerful alternative to religion, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood because people harbor preconceived ideas about atheism. This concise introduction to subject has been designed with the general audience in mind."

[ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: David Bowden / wide-eyed wanderer ]</p>

Radcliffe Emerson

I've got the book by George Smith, but I haven't read it yet. I'm reading The Case Against Christianity first.

FreeToThink

Try Dan Barker's "Losing Faith In Faith".

It's as good as any!

sentinel00

Demon Haunted World.

Walter_Mitty

You might also search the title or author index at the <a href="http://www.atheistalliance.org/bookshelf/index.html" target="_blank">Atheist Alliance.</a>

Also, the Sec Web has a pretty good <a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/pastbotm.asp" target="_blank">Bookstore.</a>

For what it's worth, I have not seen a book desinged to bridge the gap. Dan Barker's book is great if one is already doubting Christianity and it even planted the seeds of doubt in my dear mother.

Pensee

Is that the one by Carl Sagan?

beoba

Yes