In Defense of Atheism

In the twenty-first century, religion is making a comeback, bringing in its wake extremism of all kinds. From Christian anti-abortion campaigns to suicide bombers claiming the righteousness of Islam, we are witnessing a resurgence of fundamentalism. In this seminal work, Michel Onfray exposes the destructive history of organized religion and the fiction that is God while presenting a new, authentic atheism that celebrates life and humanity. Onfray goes back to the origins of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to show how their scriptures have been dissected and altered, censored and rewritten by their religious leaders and zealots to suit their particular agendas. Using both historical records and religious texts, he reveals how each of these religions has fostered hatred towards women, reason, the human body, sexuality, pleasure, and individual freedom, and argues that the incalculable damage that religious intolerance has been responsible for is an abuse of power that we simply cannot endure any longer. A book that is bound to provoke debate, this European bestseller is indispensable reading for anyone concerned with the role of religion in society today.