The Atheist's Bible

Atheism is all the rage. In the last year we've seen the release of several well-publicized titles either refuting the very notion of God or decrying the damage done by those who claim to believe in Him. There are many similar books set to be published in the near future.

The latest addition to these ranks is The Atheist's Bible edited by Joan Konner, Professor Emerita and Dean Emerita of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. This book is "an illustrious collection of irreverent thoughts." In other words, it is a collection of quotes by atheists or about atheism. The people quoted range from Aristotle to Homer (Simpson), from Mark Twain to Woody Allen. If a well-known celebrity or intellectual has ever uttered a statement in support of atheism (or merely against God and the people who follow Him) it is likely to have found its way into this 198 page collection.

Some of the quotes are humorous (or are meant to be): "I'm not normally a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman" (Homer Simpson). "When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way. So I stole one and asked Him to forgive me" (Emo Phillips).

Some are profound: "Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous" (David Hume) "Epicurus' old questions are yet unanswered. Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?" (David Hume)

Some of them are just plain dumb: "I do not believe in God. I believe in cashmere" (Fran Lebowitz).

Some have been so oft-repeated that they are now little more than cliche. "If Christ were here now, there is one thing he would not be--a Christian" (Mark Twain).

The longest quote is only a paragraph in length. The book has no introduction or conclusion. In fact, the longest bit of prose is probably the editor's biography on the final page. This is simply a book of quotes. And this fact shows the limited appeal and limited usefulness of The Atheist's Bible. There is no cohesion, no argument, no propositions. There is little of value that could not be culled from a quick Google search. This book is interesting for what it is: an extensive (though certainly not exhaustive) list of quotations about atheism. But it offers little of value beyond fragmented quotes. It offers only questions but gives no answers, it offers pessimism and skepticism but gives no hope. In fact, it's a lot like atheism in that way.