A More Charitable Atheism

Essays on Life without—But Not Necessarily against—God

James A. Metzger

This anthology consists of fourteen topically arranged essays that explore a form of humanism characterized by epistemic humility, a progressive ethical orientation, as well as a respect for the positive features of religion.

According to recent polls, more Americans find themselves uncomfortable maintaining traditional religious beliefs and moral commitments—a trend driven in large part by the Millennials, and one likely to continue with subsequent generations. As a professor who has regular interactions with students of this generation, the author has discovered that those who neither wish to affiliate with one particular religious tradition or community, as perhaps their parents and grandparents did, nor drop religion altogether fear that there are few if any truly attractive alternatives—alternatives that would help them find meaning, offer sound moral guidance, and navigate life’s most challenging times. This book in part aims to show that both meaning and resources for crafting a philosophically sound moral compass can be found outside the sacred canopy.

These essays, however, are also the outcome of the author’s own journey from mainline Protestant Christianity to secular humanism. The primary catalyst for this transition was the onset of a serious autoimmune illness, which forced him to confront various issues in philosophy of religion, particularly the problem of suffering and evil. This autobiographical component is woven into several chapters with the intention of showing that in a postmodern milieu we can no longer attribute major worldview shifts to solitary, dispassionate rational inquiry.

Although essays have been composed in such a way that each may stand alone, a feature of the book that allows readers to approach chapters in any order they choose, they nevertheless have been arranged into four sections that reflect the author’s personal journey. Major topics include: 1) Chronic Illness and the Death of God; 2) Epistemic Limitations and Respect for Persons; 3) A Humanist Approach to Reading the Bible and; 4) Advantages of Ethical Reasoning without God.

Hamilton Books

Pages: 266 • Trim: 6 x 8¾

978-0-7618-7164-4 • Paperback • October 2019 • $49.99 • (£38.00)

978-0-7618-7165-1 • eBook • October 2019 • $47.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: Religion / Atheism, Philosophy / American Philosophy, Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics

A More Charitable Atheism

Essays on Life without—But Not Necessarily against—God

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This anthology consists of fourteen topically arranged essays that explore a form of humanism characterized by epistemic humility, a progressive ethical orientation, as well as a respect for the positive features of religion.

According to recent polls, more Americans find themselves uncomfortable maintaining traditional religious beliefs and moral commitments—a trend driven in large part by the Millennials, and one likely to continue with subsequent generations. As a professor who has regular interactions with students of this generation, the author has discovered that those who neither wish to affiliate with one particular religious tradition or community, as perhaps their parents and grandparents did, nor drop religion altogether fear that there are few if any truly attractive alternatives—alternatives that would help them find meaning, offer sound moral guidance, and navigate life’s most challenging times. This book in part aims to show that both meaning and resources for crafting a philosophically sound moral compass can be found outside the sacred canopy.

These essays, however, are also the outcome of the author’s own journey from mainline Protestant Christianity to secular humanism. The primary catalyst for this transition was the onset of a serious autoimmune illness, which forced him to confront various issues in philosophy of religion, particularly the problem of suffering and evil. This autobiographical component is woven into several chapters with the intention of showing that in a postmodern milieu we can no longer attribute major worldview shifts to solitary, dispassionate rational inquiry.

Although essays have been composed in such a way that each may stand alone, a feature of the book that allows readers to approach chapters in any order they choose, they nevertheless have been arranged into four sections that reflect the author’s personal journey. Major topics include: 1) Chronic Illness and the Death of God; 2) Epistemic Limitations and Respect for Persons; 3) A Humanist Approach to Reading the Bible and; 4) Advantages of Ethical Reasoning without God.

Details

Hamilton Books

Pages: 266 • Trim: 6 x 8¾

978-0-7618-7164-4 • Paperback • October 2019 • $49.99 • (£38.00)

978-0-7618-7165-1 • eBook • October 2019 • $47.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: Religion / Atheism, Philosophy / American Philosophy, Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics

Author

James A. Metzger is author of four books and numerous journal articles in religion, philosophy, and literature. He has taught at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Luther College, East Carolina University, and Pitt Community College.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Section I: How I Arrived Here: Illness, The Death of God, and A Turn Toward Secular Humanism

Chapter 1: Believing in Belief

Chapter 2: Illness and Deicide

Chapter 3: Is It Wrong to Accept the Gift of Salvation?

Section II: Epistemic Limitations and Respect for Persons

Chapter 4: What Atheists Want

Chapter 5: Three Reasons Why Atheists Should Be More Charitable

Chapter 6: Have the New Atheists Been Good for Atheism?

Chapter 7: Can Liberal Christians Save the Church? A Humanist Approach to Progressive Christian Theologies

Section III: A Humanist Approach to Reading the Bible

Chapter 8: Why We Must Treat the Bible No Differently Than Any Other Book

Chapter 9: Spending Christmas with Linus

Chapter 10: Taking Paul Seriously

Chapter 11: Can Early Christian Faith Remain a Rational Option Today?

Chapter 12: Why Atheists Should Read—and Love—the Book of Job

Section IV: Advantages and Consequences of Ethical Reasoning without God

Chapter 13: Ethics is Just Safer without God

Chapter 14: Humanism, Illness, and Elective Death: A Case Study in Utilitarian Ethics

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

A More Charitable Atheism

Essays on Life without—But Not Necessarily against—God

James A. Metzger

A More Charitable Atheism

Essays on Life without—But Not Necessarily against—God

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