An Atheist Stranger in a Strange Religious Land: Selected Writings from the Bible Belt

by Herb Silverman, Rev. Barry W. Lynn (Foreword by)

Overview

From Orthodox Jewish child in postwar America to mild-mannered mathematician in academia to legendary atheist activist in the heart of today’s Republican South, Herb Silverman has always been outside the mainstream of American culture, politics, and religion. From this unique vantage point, he writes about the most pressing issues of our day, including those related to war, peace, patriotism, race, gender, and church-state separation. In this entertaining and thought-provoking volume, he curates some of his best written work. Silverman may see himself as an atheist stranger in a strange religious land, but thanks in part to his work as activist and author, atheists as a whole are no longer strangers in this increasingly irreligious land.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634311052
Publisher:	Pitchstone Publishing
Publication date:	04/01/2017
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Herb Silverman is founder and president of the Secular Coalition for America, author of Candidate Without a Prayer. He is also Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the College of Charleston.

Table of Contents

Foreword Rev. Barry W Lynn 13

Preface 17

Chapter 1 Atheism 19

Chapter 2 Belief Versus Behavior 40

Chapter 3 Bible Talk 46

Chapter 4 Candidates Without a Prayer 59

Chapter 5 Catholicism 65

Chapter 6 Coalitions 74

Chapter 7 College of Charleston 83

Chapter 8 Darwin, Charles 87

Chapter 9 Dawkins, Richard 91

Chapter 10 Debates and Discussions 96

Chapter 11 Faith 104

Chapter 12 Foreign Policy 107

Chapter 13 Fox News 113

Chapter 14 Free Speech 117

Chapter 15 Godly Patriotism 123

Chapter 16 Health Care 129

Chapter 17 Holidays., War, and Peace 133

Chapter 18 Islam 140

Chapter 19 Judaism 151

Chapter 20 LGBT 164

Chapter 21 Marriage 169

Chapter 22 Mormonism 173

Chapter 23 Prayer 178

Chapter 24 Presidential Primaries 183

Chapter 25 Reviews 193

Chapter 26 Science 203

Chapter 27 Separation of Church and State 211

Chapter 28 Sex 220

Chapter 29 Sound Bites 224

Chapter 30 South Carolina 230

Chapter 31 Women 238

Credits 244

About the Author 264

Editorial Reviews

"Herb Silverman's writing is like listening to a favorite uncle give entertaining yet practical advice on how the world really is. Herb's mathematician side comes through in the flawless logic he uses to filet arguments in support of religion and against atheism. His puckish side comes through in the jokes and storytelling that make his enjoyable commentaries part cultural observation, part Borscht Belt routine . . . . This volume takes us inside Herb's mind — a place to linger only if you want to be challenged to think while chuckling." —Robyn E. Blumner, President & CEO, Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science


“In the Rationalist Utopia of my dreams, Herb Silverman would be a Living National Treasure, if not Honorary President for Life.” —Richard Dawkins, author, The God Delusion


“These lively and thoughtful essays contain essential insights on how to advance a secular, humanistic worldview in a country and a world that is still dominated by religion. The discussions are invariably judicious, wise, and thought-provoking.” —Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University; author, The Better Angels of Our Nature


“What I like most about Herb Silverman’s eclectic collection of essays, on subjects ranging from holidays to the political clout (and weaknesses) of atheists and secular humanists in politics, is his emphasis on building coalitions with liberal religious allies when we agree on public issues and drawing the line when secular and religious values clash. There is uncommon good sense—sorely needed in this era of political incivility—in his insistence that it is both possible and desirable for atheists and humanists to proudly proclaim their values while seeking areas of common concern with the large number of liberal religious Americans who agree with secular Americans, not with the religious Right, on the separation of church and state.” —Susan Jacoby, author, Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism


“An Atheist Stranger in a Strange Religious Land doesn’t only give us the best of Herb Silverman. Its delightful mix of incorruptible reason, tolerance, and compassion—served with a deliciously saucy sense of humor—gives us the best of humanity.” —Rebecca Goldstein, author, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction


"With wit, warmth, and insight, Herb Silverman deftly addresses a range of topics relating to religion, atheism, politics, and culture, and the sometimes uneasy relationships among them. His delightfully concise essays will bring enlightenment to your brain and a smile to your lips." —Ron Lindsay, author, The Necessity of Secularism: Why God Can't Tell Us What to Do


“Whether you believe in God or not, you can have faith in Herb’s Silverman’s ability to inform and entertain. He is an insightful and delightful conversationalist, as this collection of his columns confirms.” —Wendy Kaminer, author, Sleeping With Extra-Terrestrials: The Rise of Irrationalism and Perils of Piety


“Whenever I see that Herb Silverman has written about something I care about, I drop everything and read it. This collection reminds me why. More than once, his clarity, intelligence, and easygoing wit have been the perfect antidote to the lunacy of our culture war, making me feel that things just might turn out fine after all.” —Dale McGowan, author, Parenting Beyond Belief

From the Publisher