Customer Reviews

The Second Anthology of Atheism and Rationalism (Skeptic's Bookshelf)

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Prometheus' second anthology is not, I would say, as good as the first one, but it is still a nice read. Most of the selections are at least a half-century old, and most are much older. The biblical criticism of Bradlaugh and Wheless shows its age, and many of the other essays have been outdone by contemporary works. But the best feature of the anthology is that it shows the past of freethought and atheism. There were courageous men and women years ago, when prejudice and bigotry were even more intense against heresy, who were unafraid to speak out for the truth. I enjoy reading these works and getting a feel for the passion and intensity of those brave individuals. Freethinkers would also do well to familiarize themselves with our past. It lends encouragement. Our generation is not the first to question religious authority, and we will not be the last. The poetry selections are interesting, too, for those with a taste for it. Read and take heart.