A Treatise Against Irreligion

This antiquarian book contains a fascinating treatise on atheism, religion, and science. A thought-provoking and informative exploration of the ostensibly opposed ideas and beliefs of science and popular religion, this volume is highly recommended for those with an interest in the development of religious beliefs and the validity of alternative theories. The chapters of this book include: “The Revolution of Religious Beliefs”, “The Koran and the Old and New Testaments”, “The Prophets Mohammed, Jesus, And Moses – Charlatans or Victims of Mental and Physical Disease”, “Soundness of a Foundation for A Belief in a Deity”, “The Persistence of Religion”, “Religion and Science”, etcetera. Many antiquarian books such as this are increasingly hard to come by and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high quality edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on atheism.

It is widely held that Hume's Treatise has little or nothing to do with problems of religion. Contrary to this view, Paul Russell argues that it is irreligious aims and objectives that are fundamental to the Treatise and account for its underlying unity and coherence

Poses an argument for living a spiritual life that is not dependent on religion, explaining that an acceptance of philosophical spiritual traditions and values does not require practitioners to embrace the existence of a higher order.

In this classic treatise on atheism, George H. Smith sets out to demolish what he considers the most widespread and destructive of all the myths devised by human beings - the concept of a supreme being. With painstaking scholarship and rigorous arguments, Mr. Smith examines, dissects, and refutes the myriad "proofs" offered by theists - sophisticated, professional theologians - as well as the average religious layperson. He explores the historical and psychological havoc wrought by religion in general and concludes that religious belief cannot have any place in the life of modern, rational man. "It is not my purpose to convert people to atheism . . . (but to) demonstrate that the belief in God is irrational to the point of absurdity. If a person wishes to continue believing in a god, that is his prerogative, but he can no longer excuse his belief in the name of reason and moral necessity."