The Necessity of Atheism


Read by Wesseling

(4.5 stars; 127 reviews)

Plain speaking is necessary in any discussion of religion, for if the freethinker attacks the religious dogmas with hesitation, the orthodox believer assumes that it is with regret that the freethinker would remove the crutch that supports the orthodox. And all religious beliefs are "crutches" hindering the free locomotive efforts of an advancing humanity. There are no problems related to human progress and happiness in this age which any theology can solve, and which the teachings of freethought cannot do better and without the aid of encumbrances. (Summary from the preface) (11 hr 13 min)

Chapters

00 - Preface 16:41 Read by Wesseling
01 - The Evolution of Religious Beliefs 22:11 Read by Wesseling
02 - The Koran and the Old and New Testaments 1:13:18 Read by Wesseling
03 - The Prophets Mohammed, Jesus and Moses; Charlatans or Victims of Mental an… 1:00:20 Read by Wesseling
04 - Soundness of a Foundation for a Belief in a Deity 45:19 Read by Wesseling
05 - The Persistence of Religion 9:20 Read by Wesseling
06 - Religion and Science 13:37 Read by Wesseling
07 - Religion and Medicine 49:59 Read by Wesseling
08 - Religion and Astronomy 5:36 Read by Wesseling
09 - Religion and Geography 5:15 Read by Wesseling
10 - Religion and Chemistry and Physics 6:11 Read by Wesseling
11 - Religion and Geology, Philology and Evolution 12:40 Read by Wesseling
12 - Religion and Witchcraft 1:06:13 Read by Wesseling
13 - Religion and Morality 39:20 Read by Wesseling
14 - Christianity and War 6:20 Read by Wesseling
15 - Christianity and Slavery 22:11 Read by Wesseling
16 - Christianity and Labor 39:12 Read by Wesseling
17 - Religion and Woman 19:55 Read by Wesseling
18 - The Philosophers and The Great Illusion 40:29 Read by Wesseling
19 - The Doom of Religion; The Necessity of Atheism - Part 1 46:53 Read by Wesseling
19 - The Doom of Religion; The Necessity of Atheism - Part 2 45:03 Read by Wesseling
20 - Contemporary Opinion 27:18 Read by Wesseling

Reviews

Thank goodness!


(5 stars)

Fantastic. Insightful. Brilliant. I kept saying 'I know!!' while listening to this book. I love that this writing put all of the main religions together and systematically broke them down to the fairytales that they are. This should be a required read for everyone. The only ones who would oppose it are ones who can't face the truth. If you listen to this and still believe in God, then you probably do need that type of false, primitive guidance to control your life.

Excellent Book


(5 stars)

It should be noted that it was published in 1933... Still, much of it sounds as though it could have been written recently. Clear, listenable reader. Much appreciated. It's a view of religion between the two world wars; I can only imagine what material might have been added had the book been written in the 1940s. Additionally, it was interesting to hear (in Chapter 19, Part 2) the thoughts of an atheist at a time when quantum physics had just been established, and his ideas about the tendency toward mystcism among scholars at that time. All in all, a direct-but-respectful tone.


(5 stars)

It is a treatise to all those who believe in fallacy of religion and the necessity of science in everyone's life. The narrator is clear and outstanding.


(5 stars)

this the greatest audio book I have ever heard ,it has improved my confidence and overall view on life.

Best book i have listen to so far this year.


(5 stars)

This book should everyone have lusten to.

The Necessity of Atheism


(4.5 stars)

Great book, well written. This book is great for anyone & everyone. Give reason a chance.

Thorough Logical Convincing, should be mandatory reading for all


(5 stars)


(5 stars)

A splendid book, very well read. The author makes many references to others who decry the great delusions and whos' works would be worth investigating. As others have said, it has a quite contemporary tone despite having been written 90 odd years ago. One area which it perhaps does not address is the surprising ability of religious bodies and the government establishments to sustain themselves despite widespread scepticism, agnoticism and atheism. Even today in the West it would be unwise to declare oneself an Atheist and seek democratic election; in some parts of Asia you would of course be assassinated.