Our recommendations for good reading and viewing.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can shop through us at Amazon.com by using this link.  Thanks!

The Future of Religion in American Politics edited by Charles W. Dunn - This collection of conservative essays makes the case that America is, if not a Christian nation, at least one shaped largely by Christian values, and one in which Christian “values” (however they may be defined) will continue to have influence.  Edited by Charles Dunn (Dean of the School of Gov’t at Regent University - formerly CBN University), with contributions by notables such as Michael Barone, Marvin Olasky and Michael Novak).  As you might imagine, there’s much here that nonbelievers will disagree with - but there’s a surprising amount they’ll agree with, as well.  Published in Jan 2009 by Univ. Press of Kentucky.

The Pluto Files by Neil deGrasse Tyson - Answer quickly: Pluto - planet or not a planet???  Few questions have so divided America as the decision by astronomers to reclassify our formerly ninth planet as a mere “dwarf planet”.  Now, Dr. Tyson (director of the Hayden Planetarium and outspoken rationalist extraordinaire) looks at the controversy, particularly from the “pop culture” angle, and recalls how he (as the foremost Pluto demoter) took withering fire from schoolchildren and fellow astrophysicists alike.  Published in Jan 2009 by W.W. Norton & Co.

God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens - Now out in paperback, this is Herr Hitchens’ brilliant diatribe against organized religion in all its forms.  While I think he overreaches with his absolutist premise, there’s no doubt in my mind that religion is the cause of much of the world’s suffering and confusion.  And Hitchens is one of the most entertaining and well-written pundits working today.  If you ever have an opportunity to hear him speak/debate, don’t miss it.

 

Letting Go of God by Julia Sweeney - Zipping over to the other end of the atheist personality spectrum is the very sweet and always funny Julia Sweeney.  This audiobook is her one-woman-show, in which she explains in touching and hilarious detail how she used her heart and head to “let go of God.”  Now available on DVD!