Atheist Persona

Causes and Consequences

By (author) John J. Pasquini

Publication date:

15 April 2014

Length of book:

204 pages

Publisher

University Press of America

Dimensions:

226x155mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780761863311

In the past, as in the present, science has explored the reasons for belief. In recent years, with the rise of categorical, practical, and militant atheism, the scientific and philosophical community has begun studying the worldview of atheism. The Atheist Persona: Causes and Consequences is a summary of the most recent research, by the best of scholars, on the subject of atheism. In an effort to create a more courteous dialogue between theists and atheists, this book acknowledges that while there are reasons for believing in God, there are also reasons for not believing in God. Atheist Persona showcases how the worldview we choose to accept determines how we live our lives and how we influence those around us.

Preface
Introduction
Chapter One: The Psychological and Sociological Causes for Atheism
The Dysfunctional or Absent Father Figure
The Dysfunctional or Absent Mother Figure
The Defective-Dysfunctional Family
Aborting God
Atheist Father and/or Mother Hero
The Dysfunctional Cleric
Atheism—A Pathological Response to Social Disintegration
The Sophisticated-Recognition-Nonconformist-Need
Personal Convenience, Self-Centeredness and Hedonism
Comfort in Health and Life
Incomprehensible Suffering
The Atheist Persona—A Hopeless Life
Chapter Two: God Belief: Good or Bad for You?
Good or Bad?
Predisposed to Healing?
Chapter Three: Big Fancy Robots?
God-gene?
God Module or Switch?
The God Helmet
Neuroplasticity of the Brain
Chapter Four: Biology and Atheism Continued
Superman or Deficient Being?
Further Neurological Insights
The Media and Brain Development
Men vs. Women
Further Neurological Studies
In Conclusion
Chapter Five: The Spiritual Pivot: Humanness Explicated
Spiritual Triggers
Awakening
Dark Night
Illumination and Enlightenment
Purification of the Soul and the Mystical
Neuroscience and the Mystical
Fully Human?
Chapter Six: Intolerance and Violence
Holding Back the Barbarian in Us
Catholic Inquisitions, Crusades, and Religious Wars
Chapter Seven: Slaughtering the Scriptures in the Name of Atheism
Ignorance or Dishonesty?
Bible 101
Chapter Eight: Encyclopedia of Prehistoric Cults?
God of Myth or Philosophy?
Christianizing Pagan Practices
Pagan Roots for Atheism
In Conclusion
Chapter Nine: The Media: Atheism’s Evangelizing Pulpit
The Media—Expressing and Fostering the Atheist Lifestyle
Violence
The Cult of the Body
Cult of Self-Abuse
A Medicated Society
A Sex-Obsessed World
Din of Vulgarity (continued)
Dummying-down of Society
Subliminal Seduction
Loss of Empathy
The “god” of Materialism
The Fostering of Passivity
Suppressing the Truth
Media (in general)
Chapter Ten: Science and/or Man as “god”
Science as god
Man as god
Chapter Eleven: What Science and Man Can’t Explain
Intelligent Design?
Biological Design?
Cosmological Design?
Neurological Design?
Chapter Twelve: The Spiritual: Essential for the Sciences and the Arts
Priests and Religious Orders
Monks
The Church in General
Chapter Thirteen: Atheism’s Bequest
Abortion
Post Abortion Trauma—Damaging Women
Post Abortion Trauma—Damaging Families
Contraception
Modern Comprehensive Sex Education
Pornographic Society
Premarital Sex
Same-sex Marriage
Divorce—impacting the future
Child Abuse—the result of the denigration of personhood and the family
No Place for the Poor in Secularism
Overpopulation—a myth promoted by hedonistic atheists
Assisted Reproduction, Genetic Engineering, Scientific Research
Euthanasia vs. Palliative Care
Violence in Society—the beginnings of the end
In Conclusion
Conclusion: Brain in a Vat
A Final Remark
Appendix I: What was lost? Metaphysics and the Natural Law
Appendix II: A Science-based Moral System for Atheists
Bibliography

Fr. Pasquini’s book is a masterpiece. Fr. Pasquini scrutinizes atheism’s claims to enlightenment and rationality, pointing out that atheism is often a pathological response to personal tragedy, and, not uncommonly, is a cause of personal tragedy. His dissection of practical atheism is particularly salient.