Fighting God

September 1, 2015
An evangelical manifesto to recruit "closeted atheists" to become firebrand activists. Silverman is the president of American Atheists, the same post once held by the late Madalyn Murray O'Hair, who long took pride in being called the most hated woman in America and whom Silverman tries to emulate. Thus, his brand of militant atheism is not one of gentle persuasion, nor does it employ the more intellectually nuanced arguments made by the likes of Sam Harris. For Silverman, there is no continuum of belief, no gradations, no alternative such as "agnostic" or "humanist" or "freethinker." Either you believe in a "literal god," which he calls a "living, thinking, supernatural being," or you don't. This means that all agnostics, most Buddhists, and likely many Christian ministers and parishioners alike are, in fact, atheists. And that some are charlatans, others fools, though, like the Christian who claims to hate the sin but love the sinner, the author maintains that what he describes as a war is against religion (all of them), not the religious (whom he mainly pities). "I have read, thought and studied enough to satisfy myself that there is no god, all gods are imaginary, and actively believing in a god is silly," he writes. For the author, the ultimate arbiter is human rationality, which he holds supreme. Some might argue that it is reductive to restrict a divine spirit that inspires faith and awe to a god that is living and/or thinking. Some might claim that plenty of value transcends logic-the meaning of a poem, the power of an abstract painting, perhaps the creative impulse itself. To Silverman, however, anything that lies outside the realm of human logic is unprovable and therefore false. Some issues worth raising-such as the relationship between church and state and particularly the tax-exempt status of religious institutions-are undermined by assertions such as, "atheism is perfect" and "the Ten Commandments are not benevolent but barbaric." Silverman's unrelentingly combative tone will likely only appeal to the choir.

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October 15, 2015

Dubbed "Mr. Atheist Pants" by Stephen Colbert, Silverman has been the president of American Atheists since 2010. In this, his first book, he unapologetically argues for the effectiveness of "firebrand atheism," over more diplomatic, "nice-guy" approaches. Although over the top at times, Silverman's methods are refreshingly honest. He uncompromisingly believes in equality for everyone and the end of religious privilege in America, and he is not afraid to fight, using words, to bring about that reality. This work provides a mixture of atheistic arguments, rationales for his hard-nosed strategies, and stories from the front lines of advocacy, including key court cases, the 2012 Reason Rally, and American Atheists' controversial billboard campaigns. Throughout, Silverman makes provocative arguments on topics such as Jewish atheism, Islamophobia, and cafeteria religion. Bolstered by recent polling data, he is confident that atheists are winning in America. VERDICT This book is more about rallying the troops than convincing outsiders to join the battle. Thus, believers will most likely be so busy being offended at Silverman's barbs to notice the excellent points interspersed. Nonbelievers of all kinds are more likely to appreciate and be challenged.--Brian Sullivan, Alfred Univ. Lib., NY

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November 15, 2015
You know you are in for a good time when an author finds it necessary to clarify repeatedly that he is not, in fact, an asshole. Silverman is clear on that here. He presents his arguments and personal reasons for being an atheist before launching into his real concern: learning to speak of organized religion with the utter disdain he feels it deserves. Silverman does not present any new arguments in support of atheism; what he wants to inspire is a movement and methodology he dubs firebrand atheism. Religion, to a firebrand, is malevolent enough that it does not deserve any modicum of respect, and he will not sugarcoat his opinion on the matter. Firebrands also fight for equality for all, whether at interfaith gatherings or at public monuments. Fighting God is ultimately a call to atheists to emerge from the shadows and to proudly claim the label of atheist with the same relish Silverman has. Potentially controversial but a nice balance for collections that strive to represent all points of view.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)