This is more for my cousin, but I’m also interested. Does anyone know of a book that addresses how to do practical, mundane things that are normally left up to the religious (at least in America) from an atheistic perspective? For instance…if someone or something (a pet) a small child knows dies, how do you explain death to them without outright lying, like saying the dog is in Heaven? Is there a way to soften the blow, especially when the child could talk to friends/family members who are religious, and will explain Heaven?
Or how do you plan your own funeral in a way that will provide appropriate closure to your friends/family? How do you handle living in an uncaring universe from an emotional perspective? How do you not go crazy when you read about the evil in the world, believing that much of it will never be set right? What are some good, non-religious charitable organizations to join? What deeper meaning can holidays hold for you and your family, without becoming just materialistic orgies where you take care of you and yours? Is there a place for a sense of “sacredness” in atheism? Questions like these can be hard to answer in a culture which is effectively secular, but still leaves the “tough” questions to religion.
Any help is appreciated, especially book suggestions.
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How about the American Ethical Union,?http://www.aeu.org/
you’re a religious nutter aren’t you ! .. there is NO heaven ! .. wake up !
This is an awesome question. I know of no such book. Most of us muddle through on our own and just figure it out as we go along. I will give you this advice, if you ever have to deal with losing a loved one and explain it to your children, don’t leave them alone with religious family members too soon. “Grandma is your guardian angel.” comments will be met with, “She chose to smoke and die. If she had wanted to watch us do stuff she wouldn’t have smoked.” and your family will NEVER forgive you.
Not really a book on practical applications as in was written in 1881, but do read The Anti-Christ by Friedrich Nietzsche. It is considered the template for the argument that Christianity is in fact the single greatest hoax of all time.
I own a copy and re-read bits of it from time to time to understand exactly what he is saying.
It answers tough questions in a way: That the decision in all things is yours and yours alone.
Most religion fanatics have never seen it and would consider it “obscene” for all kinds of, ironically, outdated reasons.