• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • Platform
    • From our Society’s President, Susan Lesh
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Our Building Calendar
    • Contact Us
  • Ethical Kids
    • Sunday School
      • Primary Class
      • Elementary Class
      • Junior Class
      • Senior Class
      • Sunday school FAQ
    • Youth Group
  • Leader
    • Interim Leader Curt Collier
    • Leader’s Talks
    • Joe Chuman, Retired Leader
      • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
      • Wedding Officiant
  • Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Ed
    • Job Club
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Do Tell!
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Platform Addresses
  • Events

Book Review of ‘A-Theism: Believe It or Not’

March 10, 2020

Author: Richard Lettis (Islands Press, New York, NY, 2020)   Reviewed by Theresa Forsman

In the year before his death in 2017, retired literature professor Richard Lettis compiled many of his thoughts on atheism, as well as the convictions of philosophers, poets, and scientists, living and dead, on the topic. The result is “A-Theism: Believe It or Not,” a paperback published by Islands Press last month (available on Amazon), with editing assistance from writing professor Matthew Kirkpatrick and the author’s widow, Lucy Lettis.

In a conversational tone, Lettis provides an overview of the theism vs. atheism debate, including its psychological, philosophical, historical, legal, and scientific components. High-profile 20th Century non-believers, including Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins, are quoted, as well as historical figures including Epicurus and Thomas Jefferson, and current writers, both academic and in the popular press. The author draws on his English literature background in making his case for atheism, with references to legendary writers including Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson, Flannery O’Connor, and John Milton.

We find out that atheism is growing both nationally (currently 3.1 percent in the U.S.) and globally (more than 13 percent), that those claiming “no religion” make up nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, and that atheists are not the social pariahs they were just a few decades ago. One chapter delves into the demographics of the atheist community—compared to the general population, atheists are more likely to be male, young, white, and to have a college degree. 

Struggle for acceptance

In several places, Lettis compares atheists’ struggle for acceptance to the gay-rights movement and, in pointing out that a cause benefits from celebrity attention, the author provides a list of celebrity atheists from A (Woody Allen) to almost Z (Steve Wozniak).

Lettis tells us that he, like the great majority of atheists, was brought up in a traditional religion, in his case the Methodist church. But once children grow up, he points out, they encounter different ways of thinking, often at school or in their social life, and “undertake the beginnings of actual thinking as opposed to compliance by custom.” 

The book touches on many arguments, including creationism vs. intelligent design, the good deeds vs. the wrongdoings committed in the name of religion, choosing ethical behavior vs. blind obedience. 

‘But now we have science’

The arguments for atheism gain strength as our scientific knowledge expands, Lettis says. “In the time before science, when we had so little ability to understand and deal with reality, and so much to fear and to suffer, the picture of a congenial earth and a protecting father gave great comfort and consolation. And belief in a deity still provides comfort to those suffering something unbearable, “ he says. “But now we have science. …Science brings reality, and if we feel that to be essential, the theist’s imagined pleasures come at too high a price.”

“A-Theism” is likely to appeal to confirmed atheists who want to delve into the history and philosophy of the topic, including various schools of thought within atheism, and to those heretofore lifelong believers who may be questioning and therefore want to know more about the case for not believing.

Theresa Forsman is a member of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County.

Primary Sidebar

Sign up for our newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Fri 23

Mindfulness at Midday: Meditation, Movement, and Discussion Group

April 23 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Sun 25

Platform: Growing Up and Healing the World

April 25 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sun 25

Job Club Workshop

April 25 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Mon 26

Socrates Cafe

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri 30

Mindfulness at Midday: Meditation, Movement, and Discussion Group

April 30 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

View More…

Being White

Society asks Teaneck to Make BLM Mural Permanent

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Ethical Brew

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Archives

Footer

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: admin@ethicalfocus.org

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Earth Day 2021: A Great Day to Reconnect! April 18, 2021
  • Book Review: ‘The Earth is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West’ April 7, 2021
  • At Online YES Conference, 28 Teens Discuss Education March 25, 2021
  • What is the Commemorative Fund Committee? March 25, 2021
  • It’s Spring! March 23, 2021

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn Elizabeth Warren environment Ethical Brew Ethical Culture ethical dilemmas ethical education ethics everyday ethics Felix Adler global warming happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman meetinghouse Middle East politics racism religion Robert Gulack Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School Susan Golden technology Trump unemployment winter solstice world health

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar on the fourth Tuesday of the month), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and affinity groups like our monthly Men's Dinners and Women's Dinners.
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2021 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2021 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE