religion, religious books, bibliography, bible, great god contest, Christ, christian, cyber warrior, devil, satan, atheism, Jesus, war, contest, love, Buddha, Josh McDowell, church, psychic, humanist, y2k, women's rights, abortion, oppression, celebrity, tax
Bibliography of Related Materials
You can't pick a god without knowing all the facts. Besides
reading the Holy Books of various religions, investigate these
supplementary volumes. Most are available, free, in your public
library.
"It is curious that, in the absence of direct evidence,
religious thinkers can conclude that the universe or some creative
power beyond the universe is concerned with our well-being or
future. From all appearances, it seems more logical to conclude
that it is only we who are concerned for our well-being and future."
- Humanist Philosophy
For an additional bibliography in open, honest, inquiry, check out this Excellent Web Site.
Bach, Marcus - Strange sects and curious cults, New York, Barnes and Noble, Inc., 1961 - examines some of the lesser know religious faiths and rituals such as Shakers, Doukhobors, Hutterites, Voodooism, Baalism and others.
Ball, W.P., Foote, G.W. and others - Bible Handbook, AA Press, Austin, Texas, 1986 - a clear reference for people involved in religious debate. Everything is here: absurdities, indecencies, contradictions, unfulfilled prophecies, broken promises of god, obscenities, sado-masochisms, impossibilities. ** Excellent **
Bard, Martin L. - The Peril of Faith, available through AA Press, P.O. Box 140195, Austin, TX 78714-0195 - how Christians use "It's all in God's plan." to avoid thinking about
the viciousness of the god portrayed in their bible.
Clark, George C. - Secular Humanism: The Shocking Truth, Amherst, NY, American Humanist Assc., 1990 - a short and concise examination of Humanist thought. ** Excellent **
The Cost Of Church Tax Exemptions, A. A. Forum Video Selection, P.O. Box 140195, Austin, TX 78714-0195 - Wondering what harm religion causes to you? Take a look at your next tax bill! This video shows that religion owns the lion's share of tax-exempt property, including profit-making housing, hospitals and other structures.
Ellis, Albert, Ph.D. - Case Against Religion: A Psychotherapists View and the Case Against Religiosity, A.A. Press, P.O. Box 140195, Austin TX, 78714-0195 - The founder of Rational-Emotive Therapy explains why he feels religion makes people unhappy and unwell. He also examines what motivates people to be religious.
Graham, Lloyd M., - Deceptions And Myths Of The Bible, New York, NY, Carol Publishing Group, 1975 - contains some excellent research material, although the author presents his own theories to explain the facts.
Haught, James - 2000 Years of Disbelief: Famous People With the Courage to Doubt - It is hardly surprising to find a high ratio of religious skeptics among major thinkers, scientists, writers, reformers,scholars, champions of democracy, and other world changers -- people called "great" in history. The advance of Western civilization has been partly a story of gradual victory over oppressive religion, and these brilliant doubters were men and women who didn't pray, didn't kneel at altars, didn't make pilgrimages, and didn't recite creeds.
Haught, James - Holy Hatred: Religious Conflicts of the '90s - describes in gruesome detail the acts of violence worldwide and throughout history that have been committed "in the name of God".
Hitchens, Christopher - The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice - an expose on the real Mother Teresa including negligence, malpractice, unsterilized needles and refusal to give pain-killers to the suffering at her Calcutta facility. This book may be purchased for $15.00 from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, P.O. Box 750, Madison, Wisconsin 53701 (98 pages - hardcover)
Jackson, John G. - Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth Austin, Texas, American Atheist Press, 1988 - an introductory book. Christian doctrines are traced to their origins in older religions, and Jesus' similarities to other savior-gods are delineated. ** Excellent **
Marrs, Wanda - New Age Lies to Women, Austin, TX, Living Truth Publishers, 1989 - a terrifying example of fundamentalist thought. The author blames Jimmy Carter and a host of other celebrities and organizations for being in a satanic plot to steal the souls of women.
McDowell, Josh - The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today - Unfortunately, the only evidence that this author provides are quotes from other Christian writers. He implores readers to approach his book with a "proper attitude" because "the Christian faith is faith in Christ". He also states as evidence, "The important point is that the church believed in the virgin birth". What the author fails to realize is that you can believe that the sky is green and you can have faith that it will be green tomorrow but that doesn't make it factual. The book would have more credibility if the author used historic records and museum archives in his notes to debate common questions skeptics
ask believers. This book will probably appeal to believers but it has no academic merit for those who are searching for real evidence. I have had so many requests from people to read this book that I have done a brief critique.
Nelson, Dwight K. - Built to Last: Creation and Evolution : A Thoughtful Look at the Evidence That a Master Designer Created Our Planet - Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1998 - A creationist's view of evolution with the main explanation being "Satan established a belief in evolutionary development over long ages and thus destroyed a belief in Creation and in the Creator." So beware of that nasty little dickens, Satan, or he might make you believe anything.
Phillips, J.A. - Eve: The History of an Idea, San Francisco, Harper and Row, 1984 - examines the Eve mythology that is present in so many religions.
Sagan, Carl - The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, Random House, New York and Toronto, 1995 - What is the difference between science and pseudo-science? How can you detect pure baloney? Why would some people rather pray over a cholera victim that give her 500 milligrams of tetracycline every 12 hours? When scientific treatments are a thousand times more effective than the alternatives, why do humans still look for supernatural solutions? ** Excellent **
Sasson, Jean P. - Princess, New York, The Hearst Corporation, Avon Books, 1992 - This is a shocker! Easy to read book that describes the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia since the war with Iran. ** Excellent **
Sisson, Hal - Caverns of the Cross, Arsenal Pulp Press, Vancouver, 1997 - A thrilling mystery with the underlying theme of the problem of overpopulation and how it is impacted by religion. Based on a number of facts that religious leaders are trying to hide.
Stone, Merlin - When God Was a Woman, New York Dorset Press, 1976 - archeologically documented evidence tracing the fall of women from Goddess status to subjugation under patriarchal religions.
** Excellent **
Yallop, David - In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I, London, Poetic Products Ltd., 1984 - Hard hitting investigation of the corruption in the Catholic church leading to the questionable death of Pope John Paul. This book is banned by the Catholic Church. ** Excellent **
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