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An Atheist s History of Belief Understanding Our Most
Extraordinary Invention 1st Edition Matthew Kneale
Digital Instant Download
Author(s): Matthew Kneale
ISBN(s): 9781619024694, 1619024691
Edition: 1
File Details: PDF, 1.61 MB
Year: 2015
Language: english
An Atheist’s History of Belief
Copyright © 2014 by Matthew Kneale

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First published in Great Britain in 2013 by The Bodley Head, UK

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available

ISBN 978-1-61902-371-0

Typeset in Dante MT by Palimpsest Book Production Limited

Cover design by Jeff Clark, QUEMADURA

COUNTERPOINT
1919 Fifth Street
Berkeley, California 94710
www.counterpointpress.com

Distributed by Publishers Group West

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Robert Orme and Graham Bearman, of Latymer Upper School, London: two
outstanding teachers of history, to whom I owe much.
 CONTENTS

Introduction

1 Inventing Gods
Someone Who Picked Up a Piece of Mammoth Tusk
A New Pastime on a Bare Mountain
Dressing for Breakfast

2 Inventing Paradise
Cape Canaveral of Dead Kings
Zarathustra and Friends
Revenge of the Supernatural

3 Inventing Deals with God

4 Inventing the End of the World

Be Careful What You Prophesy
The Wrong End of the World
Daniel’s Dream: The Sequels

5 Inventing Humble Heaven

Jumping Hurdles
Jesus for Gentiles

6 Inventing a Religion, Inventing a Nation

7 Inventing Elsewhere
Ecstasy in Sober China
Blood, Calendars and the Ball Game
 8 Inventions from the Underground
Laughing All the Way to the Pyre
Opening Pandora’s Box

9 Inventing Witches

10 Inventing New Comforts

Balm for New Wounds
Waiting for the Revolution
Ahead to the Past
Filling the Great Vacuum

Acknowledgements
Notes
Sources and Further Reading
Index
Let us consider that we are all partially insane. It will explain us to each other; it will
unriddle many riddles; it will make clear many things which are involved in haunting and
harassing difficulties and obscurities now.
Mark Twain, Christian Science

Imagination rules the world.

Napoleon Bonaparte
 INTRODUCTION

As the son of a Manx Methodist atheist and a refugee German Jewish atheist, I have never been
much of a believer. Yet, like everyone else, I find myself surrounded by belief. Belief was in
the Lord’s Prayer that I murmured uneasily at school assembly, wondering if it was quite done
for someone like me to repeat the words. Belief was in the churches, and later the mosques,
synagogues and temples, that I visited on travels. For that matter a form of belief was
responsible, among many other things, for my own existence, when it forced my mother to flee
from Germany to England, where she met my father.
Growing up in England gave me a vague knowledge of the official version, at least of
Christianity. What, I sometimes wondered, had really happened? What had caused people to
come up with such strange-seeming notions as paradise, or sin? Or gods?
This book is an attempt finally to satisfy my curiosity. Broad questions such as Why did
people invent gods? are, unsurprisingly, hard to answer with certainty, yet I have tried to offer
ideas. Where possible I have sought answers from specialist scholars. When questions have
been so broad that scholars – no doubt wisely – have averted their eyes, I have done what I
can.
One subject this book is not concerned with is the history of religious institutions. I find
little fascination in organisational power struggles. I wanted to know what ordinary people
believed. Something else I was keen to avoid was religious jargon. I have tried to recount, as
clearly as I could, how beliefs evolved, without recourse to terms that require looking up in a
theological dictionary. In these pages you will find no mention of dualism, monism or
transubstantiation.
Though I have tried to give an overall picture of people’s beliefs, I will not claim that this
picture is complete, or even balanced. I have concentrated on those beliefs that I was most
curious about, and that seemed to fall into something resembling a story. Though I have looked
at beliefs in China, India and the Middle East, as well as the religions of the Mayans, Aztecs
and Incas, I have paid particular attention to Christianity, and its parent, Judaism.
This book does not look exclusively at religious belief. I have also glanced at a couple of
creeds that are, supposedly, purely political, such as Marxism. I have done so because these
ideologies seem, in some ways, remarkably like religions. What is more, many of their ideas
were descended from earlier religious notions that one would not normally associate with
twentieth-century politics.
Other documents randomly have
different content
 Philosophy - Practice Problems
Spring 2023 - Department

Prepared by: Teacher Williams

Date: July 28, 2025

Abstract 1: Ethical considerations and implications

Learning Objective 1: Key terms and definitions
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 1: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Learning Objective 2: Ethical considerations and implications
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 2: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Learning Objective 3: Experimental procedures and results
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 4: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 5: Research findings and conclusions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Ethical considerations and implications
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Current trends and future directions
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Case studies and real-world applications
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 9: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Review 2: Learning outcomes and objectives
Practice Problem 10: Best practices and recommendations
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 11: Research findings and conclusions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Current trends and future directions
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 13: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 14: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Best practices and recommendations
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 16: Key terms and definitions
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 17: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Remember: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Part 3: Critical analysis and evaluation
Important: Experimental procedures and results
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 21: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Best practices and recommendations
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 24: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 25: Best practices and recommendations
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Remember: Best practices and recommendations
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Note: Literature review and discussion
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Important: Experimental procedures and results
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Key Concept: Ethical considerations and implications
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Chapter 4: Ethical considerations and implications
Remember: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 31: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 31: Study tips and learning strategies
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 32: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 33: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 33: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Ethical considerations and implications
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 36: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 37: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Example 38: Best practices and recommendations
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Ethical considerations and implications
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Conclusion 5: Ethical considerations and implications
Note: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Current trends and future directions
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 43: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Practice Problem 45: Historical development and evolution
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 46: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Practical applications and examples
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Important: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Critical analysis and evaluation
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 50: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Module 6: Learning outcomes and objectives
Note: Ethical considerations and implications
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Best practices and recommendations
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 52: Practical applications and examples
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Historical development and evolution
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Best practices and recommendations
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Current trends and future directions
• Current trends and future directions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 59: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Lesson 7: Statistical analysis and interpretation
Practice Problem 60: Case studies and real-world applications
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Key Concept: Case studies and real-world applications
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 62: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
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