Godless (Barker book) explained

Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists is a book which was written by Dan Barker in 2008,[1] in which he describes his deconversion from being a preacher to becoming an atheist.[2]

The book is divided into four sections. The first section provides the story of Barker's deconversion from an evangelical minister to an atheist. Sections Two and Three contain arguments against the existence of God.[3] Section Four describes some of his work with the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Reception

Gregg Ten of Biola University noted that "as a 'fascinating memoir' the book is a success" but that the second and third sections were mostly unoriginal and underdeveloped, but still comprehensive in breadth. Jason Rosenhouse regarded the book as giving an "impressively lucid, and very readable, treatment" of the issues surrounding cosmological arguments.[4] Atheist writer Betty Brogaard wrote "his honesty about how he gradually separated himself from religious superstition is not only refreshing but inspiring".[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Ellison. Garret. Minister-turned-atheist speaks to packed room at Women's City Club. 24 July 2012. Michigan Live. October 8, 2011.
  2. Book: Warner, Rob. Secularization and its discontents. 2010. Continuum. London. 9781441155436.
  3. Elshof. Gregg Ten. Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists By Dan Barker. Religious Studies Review. 1 December 2009. 35. 4. 237. 10.1111/j.1748-0922.2009.01381_3.x.
  4. Book: Rosenhouse, Jason. Among the creationists : dispatches from the anti-evolution front line. Oxford University Press. New York. 9780199744633. 2012-04-10.
  5. Book: Brogaard, Betty. The homemade atheist : a former Evangelical woman's freethought [sic] journey to happiness]. 2010. Ulysses Press. Berkeley, CA. 9781569757840. registration.