[PDF] Hi, I'm an Atheist!: by David G. McAfee

Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee PDF, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee Epub, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee Audiobook, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee Read Online, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee VK, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee Epub VK, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee Kindle, Hi I'm an Atheist David G McAfee PDF Free Download ➡ https://bit.ly/3lDyoSy

Paperback, 192 pages

Expected publication: November 2nd 2021 by St. Martin's Essentials

ISBN 1250782082 (ISBN13: 9781250782083)

Edition Language English

File Size 19.2Mb ➡ https://bit.ly/3lDyoSy

I’ll admit, when I saw the bright, cheery cover of this book, I thought this was going to be a fun, quirky, albeit maybe a little tongue-in-cheek guide for atheists on how to come out to their religious family members and navigate those oftentimes awkward conversations around the dinner table and at family gatherings.

So imagine my surprise when I open this to find that it’s full-blown discourse on secularism and the existence and treatment of atheists in modern-day society. Like, I would argue that this is less of a whimsical guide and more of a scholarly nonfiction book in which the author largely argues against the existence of God(s) and the need for religion. I definitely would not give this to a loved one who was religious as a way to help them understand me and my struggles or to help bridge the gap between us. It would basically be giving them a book completely disproving their religion and asserting that their beliefs are illogical. Not exactly the best way to go about wanting your loved one to accept you for you who are...

Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who for the most part agreed with everything the author said. I have my own beliefs on organized religion, the validity of it, the ways in which it’s been used to reinforce one’s own bigotry, and other personal criticisms that I have with it. That’s a whole other conversation. We don’t need to go there. But just looking at it objectively from an outsider’s perspective, do I think that the answer is to invalidate another person’s religious beliefs in order to declare that my worldview is superior? No. My hope in coming out as atheist wouldn’t be to try to make a compelling argument and persuade someone to have the same beliefs as me. For one, religious beliefs are an incredibly personal thing for a lot of people that go deeper than presenting facts. It’s unshakeable faith, and I would never want to overstep and get in the way of that for someone.

But this is where the author really makes a bad case for himself and all atheists, by basically conforming to the stereotype that everyone thinks about atheists: that they’re know-it-alls who are going to try to disprove religion at any chance they get. There’s even a point when talking about coming out to family members as atheist for the first time that he then writes this:

“Over time, it is even possible you might convince your loved ones that they don’t need religious doctrines to live happy and full lives, perhaps freeing them from centuries-old supernatural dogmas, too.”

Yet throughout the book the author criticizes religious people for pushing their beliefs onto atheists, bringing up instances such as Jehovah’s Witnesses who go door-to-door. But hey, who knows. Maybe your family members will come to their senses and identify as atheists, too! Isn’t that… pretty much falling into the very thing that you resent about religious people? Also, in coming out as atheist, wanting to simultaneously convert your family members shouldn’t ultimately be the end goal. Just as you hope that your atheism will be accepted, so too should you respect others’ beliefs and refrain from trying to convert them or make them feel like they need to change their worldview to match yours. Otherwise we’re just going around in circles with both parties wanting to save or convert the other, with no one truly accepting the other for their belief system in the end.

But this is the general attitude that the author maintains throughout the book, often coming across as quite arrogant and self-righteous while having moments of being very condescending when it came to discussing other peoples’ religious beliefs, asserting that his own atheistic worldview was clearly superior.

(in a Q&A section of the book) “Why do you hate Christians?”

(paraphrased) I don’t. I simply think they are indoctrinated with irrational beliefs.

This is just one of several examples throughout the book where he makes little jabs and patronizing comments at religious people, like stating that they’re guilty of “wishful thinking” and even one instance where he basically says, “Telling someone that they’re wrong doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”

I think a big issue with this book was that the cover didn’t match what this book was actually about. It’s marketed as a fun little guide for atheists as they navigate life after coming out, but instead you find it’s an in-depth argument in favor of atheism and debunking all other religions. While there are still sections of this book that serve as a guide for coming out as atheist and having those conversations with loved ones, just know going in that a large portion of this book centers around theological criticism rather than helpful tips. Even speaking as a fellow atheist who is outspoken in my own little circles and who on paper agreed with the arguments and conversation that the author presented, I can’t say that I agreed with the approach that he took.

So would I recommend this book? Perhaps, if you are an atheist who simply wants their beliefs validated. Not so much if you genuinely want to use this book to have genuine conversations with religious loved ones built on mutual respect and understanding for each other.