A001: Trick or Treatment?

Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial
By Simon Singh & Edzard Ernst

Prince Charles is a staunch defender and millions of people swear by it; most UK doctors consider it to be little more than superstition and a waste of money. Welcome to the world of alternative medicine. In "Trick or Treatment?", the truth about the efficacy of alternative medicine is rigorously addressed for the first time by the scientist uniquely qualified to do so: Professor Edzard Ernst, the world's first professor of complementary medicine. Having spent over a decade at Exeter University meticulously analyzing the bewildering evidence for and against alternative therapies, this former practitioner of both traditional and complementary medicine brings no bias to the subject.

Writing with him is the respected science writer, Simon Singh, who also brings his considerable scientific knowledge and scrupulous impartiality to this most controversial subject.Together, they present a hard-hitting, groundbreaking examination of more than thirty of the most popular treatments, such as Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Chiropractic and Herbal medicines, delivering the ultimate verdict on all of them.

Read a recent Simon Singh article on Homeopathy from the Times

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A003: The Secular Conscience

The Secular Conscience: Why Belief Belongs in Public Life
By Austin Dacey

Has secularism lost its soul? From Washington to the Vatican to Tehran, religion is a public matter as never before, and secular values--individual autonomy, pluralism, separation of religion and state, and freedom of conscience--are attacked on all sides and defended by few. The godly claim a monopoly on the language of morality, while secular liberals stand accused of standing for nothing.

Secular liberals did not lose their moral compass: they gave it away. For generations, too many have insisted that questions of conscience--religion, ethics, and values--are "private matters" that have no place in public debate. Ironically, this ideology hinders them from subjecting religion to due scrutiny when it encroaches on individual rights, and from unabashedly advocating their own moral vision in politics for fear of "imposing" their beliefs on others.

In his incisive new book, The Secular Conscience (Prometheus Books, March 2008), philosopher Austin Dacey calls for a bold rethinking of the nature of conscience and its role in public life. Inspired by an earlier liberal tradition he traces to Spinoza and John Stuart Mill, he urges liberals to lift their self-imposed gag order and defend a renewed secularism based on the objective moral value of conscience.

Conscience is like the free press in an open society: it is protected from coercion and control, not because it is private, but because it has a vital role in the public sphere. Conscience is free, but not liberated from shared standards of truth and right. Conscience must come before any and all faiths, for it is what tells us whether or not to believe. In this way, it supplies a shared vocabulary for meaningful dialogue in a diverse society, and an ethical lingua franca in which to address the world.

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A005: The Portable Atheist

The Portable Atheist: Essential reading for the non-believer
Selected & introduced by Christopher Hitchens

From NSS Honorary Associate and best-selling author of God Is Not Great, a provocative and entertaining guided tour of atheist and agnostic thought through the ages--with never-before-published pieces by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

Christopher Hitchens continues to make the case for a splendidly godless universe in this first-ever gathering of the influential voices--past and present--that have shaped his side of the current (and raging) God/no-god debate. With Hitchens as your erudite and witty guide, you'll be led through a wealth of philosophy, literature, and scientific inquiry, including generous portions of the words of Lucretius, Benedict de Spinoza, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Mark Twain, George Eliot, Bertrand Russell, Emma Goldman, H. L. Mencken, Albert Einstein, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and many others well-known and lesser known. And they're all set in context and commented upon as only Christopher Hitchens--"political and literary journalist extraordinaire" (Los Angeles Times)--can.

Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: The Portable Atheist will speak to you and engage you every step of the way.

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A010: God Is Not Great

God Is Not Great - The Case Agaist Religion (Paperback)
by Christoper Hitchens.

Christopher Hitchens, described in the Observer as "one of the most prolific, as well as brilliant, journalists of our time" takes on his biggest subject yet--the increasingly dangerous role of religion in the world.

In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian,
Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. In a series
of acute readings of the major religious texts, he demonstrates the ways in
which religion is man-made, dangerously sexually repressive and distorts
the very origins of the cosmos. With robust clarity, Hitchens frames the
argument for a more secular life based on science and reason, in which hell
is replaced by the Hubble Telescope's awesome view of the universe and
Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty and symmetry of the
double helix.

God is Not Great marvels at the possibility of society without religion,
arguing that the concept of an omniscient God has profoundly damaged
humanity. Hitchens proposes instead that the world might be a great deal
better off without `him'.

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A015: The Dog Allusion

The Dog Allusion
by Martin Rowson

'As with dogs, so with gods - by and large, you should blame the owners.' A particular trait, common to all human civilisations, is the worship of non-human entities with followings of devotees who claim that their reverence can transport them to transcendental heights of complete and unfettered love. Do I mean God? No - I mean Dog. Dogs and other pets we've been keeping and loving since we began walking on two feet. But why do we love God - and pets - so much when their capriciousness sometimes suggests that they don't love us back?

In this wise, witty and highly topical book, celebrated cartoonist, novelist and NSS Honorary Associate Martin Rowson argues that rationally, the whole enterprise of religion is a monumental and faintly ridiculous waste of time and money. But then again, so is pet-keeping. What both do, however, is tell us a lot about who we are, which is perhaps a more important question than whether God exists and if so, if he is indeed great.

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A020: Infidel

Infidel: My Life
by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of today's most admired and controversial political figures. She burst into international headlines following the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who threatened she would be next.

An international bestseller, her life story INFIDEL shows the coming of age of this elegant, distinguished -- and sometimes reviled -- political superstar and champion of free speech. Ultimately a celebration of triumph over adversity, Hirsi Ali's story tells how a bright, curious, dutiful little girl evolves into a pioneering freedom fighter. As Western governments struggle to balance democratic ideals with religious pressures, no other book could be more timely, or more significant.

"Remarkable...Infadel shows that a determined woman can change more history than her own"
Christopher Hitchens, Sunday Times

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A025: Parenting Beyond Belief

Parenting Beyong Belief -
On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion.
Edited by Dale McGowan

Parenting Beyond Belief is a book for loving and thoughtful parents who wish to raise their children without religion. There are scores of books available for religious parents. Now there's one for the rest of us.

Includes essays by Richard Dawkins, Julia Sweeney, Penn Jillette, Mark Twain, Dr. Jean Mercer, Dr. Donald B. Ardell, Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, Jim Herrick (of the National Secular Society) and over twenty-five other doctors, educators, psychologists, and secular parents.

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A030: The God Delusion

By Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins turns his fierce intellect on to religious delusion, denouncing its faulty logic and the suffering it causes. While Europe is becoming increasingly secularised, the rise of religious fundamentalism, whether in the Middle East or Middle America, is dramatically and dangerously dividing opinion around the world. In America, and elsewhere, a vigorous dispute between 'intelligent design' and Darwinism is seriously undermining and restricting the teaching of science. In many countries religious dogma from medieval times still serves to abuse basic human rights such as women's and gay rights. And all from a belief in a God whose existence lacks evidence of any kind. Dawkins attacks God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed, cruel tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign, but still illogical, Celestial Watchmaker favoured by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry and abuses children. In "The God Delusion" Dawkins presents a hard-hitting, impassioned rebuttal of religion of all types and does so in the lucid, witty and powerful language for which he is renowned. It is a brilliantly argued, fascinating polemic that will be required reading for anyone interested in this most emotional and important subject.

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A035: Honest Doubt

Honest Doubt - Essays on Atheism in a Beliving Society
by James A. Haight

Despite the prevalence of religious belief in the United States (nearly 200 million Americans belong to 350,000 congregations), a growing minority (14 percent) of U.S. adults identify with no religion whatsoever. Journalist James A. Haught addresses the secular segment of American society in this interesting collection of incisive essays that give voice to honest doubts about religious beliefs. Taken together, Haught’s essays endorse the idea that freedom of religion must include freedom to doubt as well as to believe. Individually, the articles present many different reasons to doubt.

Written in a straightforward conversational style that makes clear the many scientific, philosophical, and ethical difficulties that plague religion, Haught’s thought-provoking essays will appeal to atheists, agnostics, and anyone with questions about religion.
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A040: Philosophers Without Gods

Philosophers Without Gods:
Meditations On Atheism And The Secular Life.
Edited by Louise M. Antony

Atheists are frequently demonized as arrogant intellectuals, antagonistic to religion, devoid of moral sentiments, advocates of an "anything goes" lifestyle. Now, in this revealing volume, nineteen leading philosophers open a window on the inner life of atheism, shattering these common stereotypes as they reveal how they came to turn away from religious belief.

These highly engaging personal essays capture the marvelous diversity to be found among atheists, providing a portrait that will surprise most readers. Many of the authors, for example, express great affection for particular religious traditions, even as they explain why they cannot, in good conscience, embrace them. None of the contributors dismiss religious belief as stupid or primitive, and several even express regret that they cannot, or can no longer, believe. Perhaps more important, in these reflective pieces, they offer fresh insight into some of the oldest and most difficult problems facing the human mind and spirit. For instance, if God is dead, is everything permitted? Philosophers Without Gods demonstrates convincingly, with arguments that date back to Plato, that morality is independent of the existence of God. Indeed, every writer in this volume adamantly affirms the objectivity of right and wrong.

Moreover, they contend that secular life can provide rewards as great and as rich as religious life. A naturalistic understanding of the human condition presents a set of challenges--to pursue our goals without illusions, to act morally without hope of reward--challenges that can impart a lasting value to finite and fragile human lives.

Collectively, these essays highlight the richness of atheistic belief--not only as a valid alternative to religion, but as a profoundly fulfilling and moral way of life.

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A065: God - The Failed Hypothesis

God - The Failed Hypothesis: How Science shows That God Does Not Exist.
By Victor J. Stenger

Throughout history, arguments for and against the existence of God have been largely confined to philosophy and theology. In the meantime, science has sat on the sidelines and quietly watched this game of words march up and down the field. Despite the fact that science has revolutionised every aspect of human life and greatly clarified our understanding of the world, somehow the notion has arisen that it has nothing to say about the possibility of a supreme being, which much of humanity worships as the source of all reality. Physicist Victor J Stenger contends that, if God exists, some evidence for this existence should be detectable by scientific means, especially considering the central role that God is alleged to play in the operation of the universe and the lives of humans. Treating the traditional God concept, as conventionally presented in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, like any other scientific hypothesis, Stenger examines all of the claims made for God's existence. He considers the latest Intelligent Design arguments as evidence of God's influence in biology. He looks at human behaviour for evidence of immaterial souls and the possible effects of prayer. He discusses the findings of physics and astronomy in weighing the suggestions that the universe is the work of a creator and that humans are God's special creation. After evaluating all the scientific evidence, Stenger concludes that beyond a reasonable doubt the universe and life appear exactly as we might expect if there were no God.

"I leaned an enormous amount from this splendid book"
- Richard Dawkins

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A070: Maybe Yes, Maybe No

Maybe Yes, Maybe No -
A Guide For Young Skeptics
By Dan Barker

Maybe Yes, Maybe No is a child's introduction to healthy skepticism. The book's ten-year-old heroine, Andrea, is "always asking questions," writes author Dan Barker, because she thinks "you should prove the truth of a strange story before you believe it." This book teaches the essentials of critical thinking - "Check it out," "Repeat the experiment," "Try to prove it wrong," "It has to make sense" - illustrating each of these rules with clear examples.

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A090: The Islamist

by Ed Husain

'Why I joined radical Islam in Britain, what I saw inside and why I left'

When I was sixteen I became an Islamic fundamentalist. Five years later, after much emotional turmoil, I rejected fundamentalist teachings and returned to normal life and my family. I tried to put my experiences behind me, but as the events of 7/7 unfolded it became clear to me that Islamist groups pose a threat to this country that we — Muslims and non-Muslims alike — do not yet understand.

Why are young British Muslims becoming extremists? What are the risks of another home-grown terrorist attack on British soil? By describing my experiences inside these groups, the reasons I joined them and how, after leaving I recovered my faith and mind, I hope to explain the appeal of extremist thought, how fanatics penetrate Muslim communities and the truth behind their agenda of subverting the West and moderate Islam. Writing candidly about life after extremism, I illustrate the depth of the problem that now grips Muslim hearts and minds. I will lay bare what politicians and Muslim 'community leaders' do not want you to know.

This is the first time an ex-member openly discusses life within radical Islamic organisations. This is my story.

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A095: Double Cross: The Code of the Catholic Church

By David Ranan

This is a firecracker of a book, exposing the corruption, deceit and criminality that has been rife throughout the history of the Vatican and which is still rampant today. If the Vatican was afraid of the effects of the Da Vinci Code, it should be even more frightened of the revelations in this book – because this is not a novel, it is a well-researched and documented volume that lays bare the Vatican’s inherent evil.

The author is a political scientist and his objectivity adds weight and authority to the incendiary contents. He pushes past the Vatican’s usual tactic of trying to silence and demean its critics, and puts the evidence on the table to show that some of the Church’s teachings and policies actually kill people; he explains where how and why. He examines why the Church seems unable to change its ruinous policies on contraception, abortion, the Jews and homosexuality. And he casts a merciless eye over the Church’s foul cover-ups of child abuse by its priests.

This is an important book for all secularists, for at last we get the full story of the Vatican’s darkness, uncorrupted by its usual apologists, and uncensored by the Vatican’s propagandists.

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A100: Freethinkers

Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism
By Susan Jacoby

At a time when the separation of church and state is under attack as never before from the religious and political right, Freethinkers celebrates the noble and essential secular heritage that gave Americans the first government in the world founded not on the authority of God but on the bedrock of human reason. There could be no more important book in an era when an American president invokes sanction from a “Higher Father” as justification for going to war, when fundamentalists attempt to sabotage the teaching of evolution in public school science classes, and when far-right judges attempt to obliterate the distinction between religious beliefs and secular law.

In impassioned, elegant prose, Susan Jacoby offers a powerful defense of more than two hundred years of secularist activism, beginning with the fierce debate over the omission of God from the Constitution. Moving from nineteenth-century abolitionism and suffragism through the twentieth century's civil liberties, civil rights, and feminist movements, Freethinkers illuminates and honors the neglected accomplishments of secularists who, allied with tolerant and liberal religious believers, have stood at the forefront of the battle for social reforms opposed by reactionaries in in the past and today.

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A102: Rot On The Vine

Rot on the Vine: The Many Dark Faces of Religion
By J. Stenesh

Rot on the Vine is a collection of writings - some fictionalized "what-if" essays but mostly matter-of-fact expositions - that explore the side of religion that is perverted to serve human greed, hatred, hypocricy, and intolerance. From a brief exploration the roots of pervasive anti-Semitism as stemming from Christianity's and Islam's need to de-legitimize Judaism's older claim of a single, all-powerful God (among other factors), to a discussion of how Biblical passages are used to in modern-day America to exhort hatred of homosexuals and homosexuality, to religion's role in fueling the genocidal horrors of Nazism and much more, Rot on the Vine makes for both disturbing and compelling reading.
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A103: How To Be A Good Atheist

How To Be A Good Atheist
By Nick Harding

Fed up of religion telling you it has all the answers when it doesn't? Tired of hearing about divine mysteries when there aren't any? Irritated by the pious evangelistas telling you you're going to hell when you're obviously not? Exhausted by creationists...for simply being creationists? Want to know more about the so-called atheist conspiracy? Then this book is for you.For millennia priests and holy men have told countless conflicting tales about humanity's genesis and fate. Is it all nonsense? You bet it is. For round about the same amount of time they have also been saying that anyone devoid of faith is evil, immoral and responsible for all of society's ills. How wrong they are.
This book contains all you need to know about what to pack for your journey on the enlightening road to atheism including a brief history of free thought - it goes back further than you think - all the way to an introductory who's who in purgatory for knowing there isn't a god. Learn that there are five types of atheism. Find out the difference between an atheist and an agnostic - a term invented by T.H.Huxley, famous for his defence of Darwin and how a deist differs from a theist. Discover the oxymoronic fact that Christians were originally called atheists. Read who Lucretius was and what his fellow materialists were about. And revel in the fact that atheists have nothing to defend but are happy that way...

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A110: A Religious Orgy In Tennessee

A Religious Orgy In Tennessee - A Reporter's Account of the Scopes Monkey Trial
By H.L. Mencken

"The native American Voltaire, the enemy of all puritans, the heretic in the Sunday school, the one-man demolition crew of the genteel tradition."-Alistair Cooke

Fiercely intelligent, scathingly honest, and hysterically funny, H.L. Mencken's coverage of the Scopes Monkey Trial so galvanized the nation that it eventually inspired a Broadway play and hit movie.

Mencken's no-nonsense sensibility is still exciting: his perceptive rendering of the courtroom drama; his piercing portrayals of key figures Scopes, Clarence Darrow, and William Jennings Bryan; his ferocious take on the fundamentalist culture surrounding it all-including a raucous midnight trip into the woods to witness a secret "holy roller" service.

Shockingly, these reports have never been gathered together into a book of their own-until now.

A Religious Orgy in Tennessee includes all of Mencken's reports for The Baltimore Sun, The Nation, and The American Mercury. It even includes his coverage of Bryan's death just days after the trial-an obituary so withering Mencken was forced to rewrite it (both versions are included, although the rewrite seems, if anything, even less forgiving).

With the rise of "intelligent design," Mencken's work has never seemed more unnervingly timely-or timeless.

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A120: Atheist's Bible

The Atheists’s Bible -
An illustrious Collection of Irreverent thoughts.

“All thinking men are atheists,” Ernest Hemingway famously wrote. True? Heer are quips, quotes and questions from a distinguished assortment of geniuses and jokers, giving readers a chance to decide for themselves…

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A125: Quotable Atheist

Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Nonbelievers, Political Junkies, Gadflies and Those Generally Hell-bound
by Jack Huberman

Sensing a backlash against the fundamentalism and ignorance that have made America a worldwide laughingstock, best-selling author Jack Huberman has collected a treasure trove of quotes by philosophers, scientists, poets, writers, artists, entertainers, and political figures.

These aphorisms will delight and hearten but also challenge nonbelievers, and perhaps even make belivers think again. The colourful cast of atheist, agnostic, cynical, and spiritual characters includes Woody Allen, Lance Armstrong, Bjork, Buddha, George Carlin, Noam Chomsky, Larry Flynt, E.M. Forster, Benjamin Franklin, Sigmund Freud, Galileo, Matt Groening, Stephen Hawking, Christopher Hitchens, Thomas Jefferson, John Lennon, the Marquis de Sade, Carl Sagan, Sarah Silverman, Gertrude Stein, Howard Stern, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and Frank Zappa.

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