A Is for Atheist An A to Z of the Godfree Life

Atheists may be among the fastest growing “religious” demographics in the world, but they are also perhaps the most misunderstood. To begin, atheists have no identifying marks, no defining habits, no obvious symbols, for all that unites them, essentially, is an absence of belief. As a result, many religious believers may not even realize they know atheists, whether as neighbors, friends, or coworkers. In addition, most major religions warn against the faithless and preach distrust of nonbelievers. This creates not only ignorance about what it’s like to be an atheist, but also fear about the very idea of atheism. Organized like an encyclopedia, this book aims to rectify this widespread distrust and suspicion with basic understanding. Each entry, written in clear, concise language, covers a specific topic or question related to being an atheist, making this the perfect primer for anyone curious about or interested in atheism—whether to learn more about why someone might become an atheist, how someone creates meaning and purpose as an atheist, and what life is like as an atheist.

Andrew Sneddon is professor of philosophy at the University of Ottawa. He is the author of Autonomy, Like-Minded: Externalism and Moral Psychology, and Action and Responsibility.