Honest Doubt: Essays on Atheism in a Believing Society [Paperback]

James A. Haught (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 2007

Despite the prevalence of religious belief in the United States (nearly 200 million Americans belong to 350,000 congregations), a growing minority (14 percent) of U.S. adults identify with no religion whatsoever. Journalist, James A Haught addresses the secular segment of American society in this interesting collection of incisive essays that give voice to honest doubts about religious beliefs. Taken together, Haught's essays endorse the idea that freedom of religion must include freedom to doubt as well as to believe. Individually, the articles present many different reasons to doubt: Intellectual integrity demands that we express doubts about beliefs for which there is no scientific evidence; the historical record, past and present, shows that religion is often the cause of evils, from the Inquisition and the burning of witches to current terrorist violence committed in the name of religion; natural evils, such as the 2004 Asian tsunami and devastating diseases, should make any thoughtful person question whether an all-powerful and all-merciful God governs the universe; the sheer number and diversity of often-conflicting belief systems raise serious doubts about the philosophical coherence of religion as an approach to finding the truth; scandals among the clergy undermine the credibility of religion as a sound basis for morality. Written in a straightforward conversational style that makes clear the many scientific, philosophical, and ethical difficulties that plague religion, Haught's thought-provoking essays will appeal to atheists, agnostics, and anyone with questions about religion.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James A. Haught (Charleston, WV) is the editor of the Charleston Gazette, West Virginia’s largest newspaper. He is the author of 2000 Years of Disbelief: Famous People with the Couruge to Doubt and four other books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (February 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591024595
• ISBN-13: 978-1591024590
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,004,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Honest Doubt: Essays on Atheism in a Believing Society, January 17, 2008

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Tero "we are all made of stars" (MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honest Doubt: Essays on Atheism in a Believing Society (Paperback)

The title is not as offending to theist as some in the atheism field. The first two chapters and the last couple are very antireligious. Written by a journalist, it is easy to read. The chapter on Unitarians also discloses that he is a Unitarian.

Mostly a book for nonbelievers to understand the standing of their own group in America today. Some coverage to main atheist issues and philosophy.

Good atheist view point coverage. A theist would not write this, but may not be offended.

You can read the chapters as essays, no need to read the whole book.