Filled with wit, humor, and clear metaphor, this exploration into atheism is written specifically for young adults, though any adult interested in learning more about atheism will find value within. Not just focused on atheism, this crash course in logical thinking addresses the issues of indoctrination, whether it be religious, political, or commercial, and makes the case that morality is created through reasoning and logic, not through divine communication. Many hot topics are touched upon, such as traditional arguments for God’s existence, the relationship of evolution and religious belief, the incompatible nature of science and religion, and the harmfulness of both Christianity and Islam. Grade 9 Up—This brief and uneven treatise on the central tenet of atheism and the arguments in its favor is meant to encourage and fortify readers who are questioning their religious beliefs. It isn't an impartial look at freethinking; instead, Hitchcock sets up and attempts to demolish arguments for the existence of God, including the lack of evidence, the contradiction in an omnipotent God who allows bad things to happen to innocent people, and the fallacy of personal feelings as proof of God's existence. Unfortunately, the quality of the analysis varies from fairly cogent explanations of scientific and philosophical concepts to smug asides like, in a discussion of original sin, "Talk about sick." The treatment of some themes (evolution, for example) is too shallow, although a brief bibliography guides readers to further resources. Sporadic cartoon-style illustrations add humor: a bearded God on a wanted poster, for one. Although the author acknowledges the special difficulties of young people who find themselves questioning their family's or community's deeply held religious beliefs, it's hard to say just who this is for: anyone who appreciates Hitchcock's arguments probably needs something more meaty, and anyone who isn't so sure about the whole subject might be put off by the cocky tone.— Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Sure to outrage religious readers, and not just fundamentalists, this chatty, totally irreverent title, written under a pseudonym, speaks to teen rebels of all faiths who question religious indoctrination. The book is really an expansion of a single statement: “God doesn’t exist.” Readers can dip in wherever they like to find support for their arguments against the nonbelievers or to find their own doubts reflected. The chapter on evolution versus creationism and intelligent design spells out the author’s position in clear language: evolution is not a belief; there is factual evidence. Faith is the f-word here: how do we know that hell exists if people only go there after they’re dead? And the author says to forget compromise: science and religion cannot coexist. Yes, Hitchcock writes, Jesus did preach some wisdom, even if his messages, such as “love thy neighbor as thyself,” were not original. But, he adds, morality is totally separate from doctrine, and much evil is done in religion’s name. White’s black-and-white cartoons appear throughout and are both cheeky and thought provoking. A bibliography of further reading concludes. Grades 7-12. --Hazel Rochman "This breezy case for atheism aimed at young people fills an important niche in the increasingly popular literature on the new atheism." —Victor J. Stenger, author, God: The Failed Hypothesis "[This] intelligent, lucid and compassionate book does offer philosophical hope and ammunition to any kid smart enough to suspect that his weekly trip to church, temple or mosque has more to do with indoctrination and branding than truth or reason." —Matthew Chapman, author, 40 Days and 40 Nights and Trials of The Monkey S. C. Hitchcock has won a national award from the Society of Professional Journalists, was published in a journal by the National Council for Social Studies, and his fiction has been published in small literary magazines. He lives in the Midwest. Tom Flynn is the editor of Free Inquiry magazine, director of the Center for Inquiry, founding coeditor of Secular Humanist Bulletin , director of the Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum, and coauthor of The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief . He lives in Amherst, New York. Disbelief 101 A Young Person's Guide to Atheism By S. C. Hitchcock, Leslie White See Sharp Press Copyright © 2009 S.C. Hitchcock (pseudonym) All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-884365-47-8 Contents Title Page, Copyright Page, Dedication, Introduction, Acknowledgments, Preface, 1 - The Invisible Flying Clown, 2 - Atheism as "Belief", 3 - Faith — A False Virtue, 4 - The Suicide King, 5 - Evolution and Religion, 6 - Two Columns: Science and Faith, 7 - The Rock Star Principle, 8 - Does Anybody Ever Read This Thing?, 9 - Feelings as "Proof", 10 - Let the Buyer Beware