Post by AuntieSocial on May 28, 2004 17:41:23 GMT -5
Lewis, Joseph An Atheist Manifesto: A Declaration of Intellectual Independence New York: The Freethought Press Association 1958
ISBN: None – First Copyrighted in 1954 (and in the 178th Year of American Independence)
Joseph Lewis writes a compelling manifesto against the belief in deities and the toll such beliefs have had on humanity. He presents a good case for science, logic and reason.
Although this book is available at www.positiveatheism.org/hist/lewis/lewis03.htm, I bought a hardcopy of the 1858 printing as a curiosity piece. I don’t regret the purchase.
It is a short book, but it is well worth the read. The one criticism I have, and it is not one that interfered with my enjoyment, is the nationalistic tone used by Lewis when he is comparing the concept of intellectual freedom to progress. The following comes from page 35 and demonstrates the author’s level of nationalism:
“The countries whose government are dominated by religion and religious institutions are the most backward. By the same token, the countries whose government ar the most enlightened, and whose governments are based upon the principle of secularism – the separation of church and state – are the most progressive.
And let me tell you: When man is intellectually free, the progress he will make is beyond calculation.
What better illustration than this: More progress has been made since the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution than was made in the previous five thousand years!”
He continues his analogy by giving his “good and valid reason” for the recent advancements:
“It is because “in 1776 our fathers retired the gods from politics.” The basic principle of the American Republic is the freedom of man in society.”
Although I agree with his interpretation of the motives of the founding fathers, I can’t make the leap required to assert that it is due to the independence of the U.S.A. that we, as a species, have made such monumental advancements, such as anesthesia, theory of evolution, x-ray technology and the discovery of the composition of blood. To tie these developments back to atheism, Lewis gives examples of various advancements and the response each received from the church (or how they were contrary to Christian doctrines of the time).
Written at a time in American history when the concept of intellectual freedom was about to put to a tragic test, the words of Joseph Lewis seem courageous and thought provoking. I strongly recommend that you take the time (it took me less than an hour) to read this tract. If you enjoy this one, you can find other offerings from the same author on the Positive Atheism site cited above.
ISBN: None – First Copyrighted in 1954 (and in the 178th Year of American Independence)
Joseph Lewis writes a compelling manifesto against the belief in deities and the toll such beliefs have had on humanity. He presents a good case for science, logic and reason.
Although this book is available at www.positiveatheism.org/hist/lewis/lewis03.htm, I bought a hardcopy of the 1858 printing as a curiosity piece. I don’t regret the purchase.
It is a short book, but it is well worth the read. The one criticism I have, and it is not one that interfered with my enjoyment, is the nationalistic tone used by Lewis when he is comparing the concept of intellectual freedom to progress. The following comes from page 35 and demonstrates the author’s level of nationalism:
“The countries whose government are dominated by religion and religious institutions are the most backward. By the same token, the countries whose government ar the most enlightened, and whose governments are based upon the principle of secularism – the separation of church and state – are the most progressive.
And let me tell you: When man is intellectually free, the progress he will make is beyond calculation.
What better illustration than this: More progress has been made since the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution than was made in the previous five thousand years!”
He continues his analogy by giving his “good and valid reason” for the recent advancements:
“It is because “in 1776 our fathers retired the gods from politics.” The basic principle of the American Republic is the freedom of man in society.”
Although I agree with his interpretation of the motives of the founding fathers, I can’t make the leap required to assert that it is due to the independence of the U.S.A. that we, as a species, have made such monumental advancements, such as anesthesia, theory of evolution, x-ray technology and the discovery of the composition of blood. To tie these developments back to atheism, Lewis gives examples of various advancements and the response each received from the church (or how they were contrary to Christian doctrines of the time).
Written at a time in American history when the concept of intellectual freedom was about to put to a tragic test, the words of Joseph Lewis seem courageous and thought provoking. I strongly recommend that you take the time (it took me less than an hour) to read this tract. If you enjoy this one, you can find other offerings from the same author on the Positive Atheism site cited above.
