Atheism is a doctrine that states that nothing exists but natural phenomena (matter), that thought is a property or function of matter, and that death irreversibly and totally terminates individual organic units. This definition means that there are no forces, phenomena, or entities which exist outside of or apart from physical nature, or which transcend nature, or are “super” natural, nor can there be. Humankind is on its own.
The following definition of Atheism was given to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Murray v. Curlett, 374 U.S. 203, 83 S. Ct. 1560, 10 L.Ed.2d (MD, 1963), to remove reverential Bible reading and oral unison recitation of the Lord's Prayer in the public schools.
“Your petitioners are Atheists and they define their beliefs as follows. An Atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An Atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy.
An Atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction, and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it and enjoy it.
An Atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.
He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man.
He wants an ethical way of life. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter.
He believes that we are our brother's keepers; and are keepers of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and the job is here and the time is now.”
While many Atheists have an intense interest in religions, enjoy debating theists, and can intelligently discuss the various holy books, Atheism can be discussed and celebrated for its own sake.
The first entry in this section is a transcript of a speech given in 1962 by Madalyn Murray O’Hair. It has a short and simple title: Atheism.
The rich human history of Atheism is examined in detail in several articles in The Roots of Atheism.
The roots of American Atheists are closely associated with the Murray v. Curlett case. Here is the text of the Petitioners' Brief to the US Supreme Court.
California Lawyer and political candidate Edward Tabash discusses the controversy or ridiculing religious beliefs.
Ancient humans could not understand the real reason for the passing seasons. They associated what they observed with all sorts of mystical goings on. In this short pamphlet, Frank R. Zindler explains the natural seasons. Now, when a theist tries to tell you about the "reason for the season," you'll know better.
Next are three essays by Frank Zindler:
- Ethics Without Gods. A must-read for any Atheists who has been told “If you don’t believe in God, there’s nothing to prevent you from committing crimes, is there?”
- Spirit, Soul, and Mind (just remember to breathe while reading.)
- Religion, Hypnosis, and Music: An Evolutionary Perspective
Chapman Cohen, the third president of the National Secular Society, Britain's largest Atheist organization, was a noted orator and writer on behalf of the Atheist cause.
Here is Chapman Cohen's Morality Without God.
Vardis Fisher was hailed as one of the most promising authors of the American West. Today, most have never heard his name. Richard Andrews tells us his story in an article originally published in The American Atheist magazine: Vardis Fisher: An American Atheist Author.
Earl Doherty Reviews Fisher's Testament of Man
See The Tree?, by Madalyn Murray O’Hair, examines The Agnostic Position. Includes an essay by Chapman Cohen, third president of The National Secular Society of Great Britain.
In 1886, C. B. Reynolds was tried in Morristown, New Jersey, for blasphemy; Robert G. Ingersoll, the "Great Agnostic," spoke on his behalf at his trial. Ingersoll's address to that jury has long been considered by Atheists to be a most poignant plea for freedom of speech and liberty of thought. Yet very few of the Atheists who have read that address know anything about Reynolds, the nitty-gritty of the trial, or the reasons why the address was necessary. Starting in October 1986, The American Atheist presented a three-part series of excerpts from The Truth Seeker's coverage of the trial.
In 1891, Robert G. Ingersoll wrote a column titled "A Christmas Sermon". It included lines such as "Christianity did not come with tidings of great joy, but with a message of eternal grief." Needless to say, there was a great outcry against Ingersoll and the newspaper that published the column.
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