Freethought Resource Guide: A Directory of Information, Literature, Art, Organizations, & Internet Sites Related to Secular Humanism, Skepticism, Atheism, & Agnosticism

Mark Vandebrake

Description

The "Freethought Resource Guide"is a first-stop directory to carefully vetted, selected, arranged, recommended, and synopsized references to a wide variety of items that are of the highest quality, historical importance, and/or greatest utility to freethinkers. The guide begins by articulating freethought through relevant terms, history, statistics, and commentary on frequently asked questions, issues, and criticisms. Subsequent sections contain information on topics related to freethought activism, law, education, parenting, science, religion, secular holidays, and art (fiction literature, music, film, comedy). Two large directories focusing on international, national, and local organizations and exploring the internet are included. Highlights include full text or excerpts from over 70 poems, numerous funny and insightful cartoons from Tracie Harris, co-host of "The Atheist Experience" television show. There are also two great references: 25 of the most common logical fallacies adapted from Bo Bennett's concise introductory work "Logically... Fallacious: The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies" and 36 theist arguments (and why they are flawed) adapted from Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's wonderful novel"36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction."

Whether you are an active freethinker, a beginner, or simply curious this guide is for you! Through the use of simple symbols readers of any interest level will find the guide easy to navigate. The symbols help to indicate works which are introductions, of high quality, popular amongst other freethinkers, and recommendations for your theist friends or family wishing to learn more about this life-stance. The book is passionately dedicated to helping inform, empower, connect, and entertain those who have chosen to embrace a life of independence, integrity, reason, and compassion.

This is a community based project. To learn more about how to contribute to future editions fill out a brief questionnaire by visiting www.freethoughtguide.com

Praise for "Freethought Resource Guide"

"Mark Vandebrake has created a one of a kind work. This is a book to explore, think about, read pieces here and there, learn new methods and explore ideas. I cannot imagine the effort that went into this project. It is monumental. The "Freethought Resource Guide" is a deep mine in which you will find many gold nuggets. You could spend a lifetime exploring the resources compiled here. The Freethought Movement now has a single source for all things secular."

-Dr. Darrel W. Ray, author of "Sex and God," and "The God Virus," founder and Chairman of the board for Recovering from Religion

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Atheism
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 23 avril 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456612764
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Freethought Resource Guide:
A Directory of Information, Literature, Art, Organizations, & Internet Sites Related to Secular Humanism, Skepticism, Atheism, & Agnosticism
By Mark Vandebrake



Praise for Freethought Resource Guide

“Mark Vandebrake has created a one of a kind work. This is a book to explore, think about, read pieces here and there, learn new methods and explore ideas. I cannot imagine the effort that went into this project. It is monumental. The Freethought Resource Guide is a deep mine in which you will find many gold nuggets. You could spend a lifetime exploring the resources compiled here. The Freethought Movement now has a single source for all things secular.”

-Dr. Darrel W. Ray, author of Sex and God , and The God Virus , founder and Chairman of the board for Recovering from Religion



Copyright © 2013 by Mark Vandebrake

All rights reserved. Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com: www.eBookIt.com

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For more information or to contact the author, send an email to: [e-mail] or visit: www.freethoughtguide.com

Grateful acknowledgement is made to the following for permission to reprint previously published material: Tracie Harris: cartoon strip Atheist Eve , Copyright © 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Rebecca Newberger Goldstein: appendix from 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction , Copyright © 2010 by Rebecca Goldstein. Bo Bennett: Top 25 Most Common Fallacies from Logically… Fallacious: The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies , Copyright © 2012. Brian McFadden: The cartoon “Atheist Holiday Traditions,” Copyright © 2009 by Brian McFadden.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-1276-4

This book is structured on a modified version of the American Psychological Association’s APA style, 6 th Ed.

APA:

Vandebrake, M. (2013). Freethought resource guide: A directory of information, literature, art, organizations, & internet sites related to secular humanism, skepticism, atheism, & agnosticism . Austin, TX: CreateSpace.

Chicago:

Vandebrake, Mark. Freethought Resource Guide: A Directory of Information, Literature, Art, Organizations, and Internet Sites Related to Secular Humanism, Skepticism, Atheism, and Agnosticism . Austin, TX: CreateSpace, 2013.

MLA:

Vandebrake, Mark. Freethought Resource Guide: A Directory of Information, Literature, Art, Organizations, and Internet Sites Related to Secular Humanism, Skepticism, Atheism, and Agnosticism . Austin, TX: CreateSpace, 2013.



DEDICATION

Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum
(I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am)

This work is a salute to the past, present, and future heroes of unfettered critical inquiry.

Here is to the late great iconoclast and personal inspiration,
Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011) and eminent humanist of the twentieth century Paul Kurtz (1925-2012).



A symbol of atheism



COVER DESIGN

Vandebrake, Linda. (Stained glass artist). (2012). Happy Prometheus [Stained glass].

The cover was inspired by three important symbols of freethought, the Happy Human , the pansy, and a character of Greek mythology, Prometheus.


“Happy Human”
1) Reprinted with kind permission from the British Humanist Association

1) A secular icon which was designed by Dennis Barrington in 1965. It is the official symbol of the International Humanist and Ethical Union and the most widely used symbol for humanism.

2) 3)

2) The word pansy comes from the French pensée meaning “thought” and was first adopted by the American Secular Union in the late 19 th century. The pansy resembles a human face and in mid to late summer it leans forwards as if in deep thought.

3) Prometheus means “forethinker” and is a titan in Greek mythology. The myth tells of how he stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, for which he was punished by being chained to a rock and tortured by an eagle eating his liver which grew back every day. This character has long symbolized humanity’s intelligence, rationality, search for truth, and liberation from superstition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION: THE NECESSITY OF FREETHOUGHT
General Notes & Methodology
Symbol Key
Glossary of Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Selected Bibliography
Secular Humanism
Atheism & Agnosticism
Memoirs & Testimonies
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
A BRIEF HISTORY OF FREETHOUGHT
Selected Bibliography
Classic Texts
History
Autobiographies & Biographies
Biographies: Compilation
Anthologies & Quotes
Bibliographies
Additional Resources
Libraries/E-Libraries
Lists of Freethinkers & Quotes
STUDIES & STATISTICS
Population Statistics
Intelligence, Education, & Character Traits
Moral Stances & World-Views
Societal & Individual Health
Selected Bibliography
Additional Resources
ACTIVISM
Secularization Hypotheses
Activist Strategies
Legal History & Issues
The Nine Demands of Liberalism
Selected Bibliography
Philosophy
Morality & Ethics
Women
Black
Legal & Activism
Additional Resources
Activist & Legal Contacts
Therapy & Addiction Services
Secular Charities
Charity Watchdogs
Conventions
Political Information & Parties
Freethought Promotion, Think Tanks, & Misc
EDUCATION & PARENTING
Humanist Family Values
Affirmation of Humanism for Kids
Selected Bibliography
Children/Family: Film
Children/Family: Music
Parents & Teachers
Children: Ages 0-12: General
Children: Ages 0-12: Critical Thinking
Children: Ages 0-12: Science
Children: Ages 0-12: Religion
Young Adult: Ages 13+: General
Young Adult: Ages 13+: Critical Thinking
Young Adult: Ages 13+: Science
Young Adult: Ages 13+: Fiction
Additional Resources
Parents & Teachers
Schools
Students
Student Organizations
Summer Camps
SCIENCE RESOURCES
Selected Bibliography
General
Astronomy & Physics
Biology, Psychology, & Anthropology
Additional Resources
RELIGION & PSEUDOSCIENCE RESOURCES
Selected Bibliography
Primary Religious Texts
Religion: Analysis & History
Skepticism & Counter-Apologetics
Evolution v. Creationism
Religion & America’s Founding Fathers
Additional Resources
Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Other or Multiple Religions
Religion & Pseudoscience Watchdogs
Skepticism & Counter-Apologetics
Evolution v. Creationism
Religion & America’s Founding Fathers
LIFE PASSAGES: CELEBRATION & REFLECTION
Holidays & Observances
Holiday Music
On Loss, Mourning, & Remembrance
Selected Bibliography
Celebration Guides
Loss & Grief
Additional Resources
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Visual Arts
Literature
Prose
Action/Adventure
Comedy
Drama/Romance
Horror
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Thriller/Crime/Mystery
Poetry
Additional Resources
Magazines, Newspapers, & Journals
Publishers
Music
Blues
Classical
Comedy
Country/Folk
Jazz
Pop/Rock
Rap
R&B
Reggae
Additional Resources
Film
Action/Adventure
Avant-garde/Experimental
Comedy
Documentary: Biographies & History
Documentary: Science & Philosophy
Documentary: Religion & Skepticism
Drama/Romance
Horror
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Television
Thriller/Crime/Mystery
Additional Resources
Theatre
Comedy
Selected Bibliography
Additional Resources
Comic Strips & Humor Sites
ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY
International
National
Independent Local (United States)
Women & Minorities
INTERNET DIRECTORY
Introductions to Freethought
News Sites & Webzines
Social Networks, Forums, & Discussion Boards
Blog Aggregates
Blogs
Podcasts, Radio, & Video
Youtube
Cell Phone Applications
Ex-Christian
Ex-Muslim
Miscellaneous
Business & Shopping
CONCLUSION: BEYOND NON-BELIEF
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Affirmations of Humanist Perspectives
Appendix B: Top 25 Most Common Logical Fallacies
Appendix C: 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: Appendix to 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein.
Appendix D: Questionnaire: Thinker’s Choice: What are your Favorite Freethought Resources?
Appendix E: The Beast of Belief, or: A Flowery Expression of Angst & Hope Upon Completion of the Above Work
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & ABOUT THE AUTHOR



I Had the Same Right to Think

I found in this new friend a woman emancipated from all faith in manmade creeds, from all fear of his denunciations. Nothing was too sacred for her to question, as to its rightfulness in principle and practice... It seemed to me like meeting a being from some larger planet, to find a woman who dared to question the opinions of Popes, Kings, Synods, Parliaments, with the same freedom that she would criticize an editorial in the London Times, recognizing no higher authority than the judgment of a pure-minded educated woman. When I first heard from the lips of Lucretia Mott that I had the same right to think for myself that Luther, Calvin, and John Knox had, and the same right to be guided by my own convictions, and would no doubt live a higher, happier life than if guided by theirs, it was like suddenly coming into the rays of the noon-day sun, after wandering with a rushlight in the caves of the earth. (Stanton, Anthony, Gage, & Harper, 1881, p. 422)


-Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), abolitionist, women’s rights leader
INTRODUCTION: THE NECESSITY OF FREETHOUGHT

Freedom of the mind requires not only, or not even specially, the absence of legal constraints but the presence of alternative thoughts. The most successful tyranny is not the one that uses force to assure uniformity but the one that removes the awareness of other possibilities. (Bloom, 1987, p. 249)

-Allan Bloom (1930-1992), philosopher

The horrific events of September 11, 2001, raised new and pressing c