Why read Without God, Without Creed?

Book cover of Without God, Without Creed: The Origins of Unbelief in America

Book description

Until the 19th century, atheism and agnosticism were viewed as bizarre aberrations. But atheism emerged as a viable alternative to other ideologies. How and why it became possible is the subject of this cultural revolution.

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American history

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Why read it?

1 author picked Without God, Without Creed as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

John Loughery

Author

Turner asks a great question. How did the United States go from being the deeply religious society of the Puritans and the Founders to a culture of widespread unbelief, especially among the well-educated? His astute analysis of 19th-century America explains why and how agnosticism and atheism gradually became socially acceptable alternatives to faith. As Turner sees it, attempts to “explain” God and fit the Divine into a more rationalistic, scientific, and anti-mystical framework, and the deadening hand of dogma, helped pave the way for a culture resistant to the very idea of God.

From John's list on The best books on religion in an age of doubt.