Atheists: the origin of the species

"The clash between atheism and religion has become the defining battle of the 21st century. Books on and about atheism retain high profile and popularity, and atheist movements on both sides of the Atlantic capture headlines with high-profile campaigns and adverts. However, very little has been written on the history of atheism, and this book fills that conspicuous gap. Instead of treating atheism just as a philosophical or scientific idea about the non-existence of God, Atheists: The Origin of the Species places the movement in its proper social and political context. Because atheism in Europe developed in reaction to the Christianity that dominated the continent's intellectual, social and political life, it adopted, adapted and reacted against its institutions as well as its ideas. Accordingly, the history of atheism is as much about social and political movements as it is scientific or philosophical ideas."--Jacket.

Chapter 1. Possibilities. Types of atheism -- New worlds -- Authority and scepticism -- 'Science and religion' -- Questioning the Bible -- Thomas Hobbes' Christian atheism -- Spinoza, the great leader of our modern unbelievers -- Crossing the Rubicon -- Chapter 2. Pioneers. Immoral atheists -- The reasonable English -- German toleration -- French fury -- British moderation -- American silence -- Chapter 3. Promises. The road from revolution -- The road to revolution (part 1) -- The road to revolution (part 2) -- The reaction to reaction -- Science and religion, once again -- The high point of British atheism -- Chapter 4. Problems. Nietzsche's dead god -- The first death of British atheism -- The kingdom of godlessness is at hand -- Germany, Britain, France, America : mid-century -- Building godless societies -- Decline and fall -- New dawns.