Part One: Why Faith is Harmful:In this new anthology critiquing Christianity, John Loftus—a former minister and now a leading atheist—has brought together an outstanding group of respected scholars who focus on the harms caused by the world’s leading religion.
The contributors begin by dissecting the many problematic aspects of religious faith generally. They repeatedly demonstrate that, with faith as a foundation, almost anything can be believed or denied. And almost any horrific deed can be committed. The authors then take a good hard look at many of the most important political, institutional, scientific, social, and moral harms committed in the name of Christianity. These range from the historical persecutions of the Inquisition and witch hunts to the current health hazards of faith healing.
Finally, the authors answer three common Christian retorts to criticisms from nonbelievers: (1) that atheists cannot judge a harmful action without an objective moral standard; (2) that atheists need faith to solve the world’s problems; and (3) that atheists cannot live a good life without faith.
Loftus and the contributors generally conclude that, given both the well-documented historical record and ongoing problems raised by the faith, Christianity decisively fails empirical tests of its usefulness to humanity
1) The Failure of Christianity and Triumph of Reason, by Robert G. Ingersoll
2) The Folly of Faith: The Incompatibility of Science and Christianity, by Victor J. Stenger
3) Faith: From Moral Virtue to Unreliable Reasoning Process, by Peter Boghossian
Part Two: Political/Institutional Harms:
4) The Crusades and the Inquisition, by Jack David Eller
5) Pandemonium: The Barbaric Christian Witch Hunts, by John W. Loftus
6) Colonization and the Wholesale Destruction of Indigenous People Groups, by Jack David Eller
7) Christianity and the Rise of American Democracy, by Richard Carrier
8) The Ugly Truth: Christianity and Slavery, by John W. Loftus
Part Three: Scientific Harms:
11) The Dark Ages, by Richard Carrier.
12) The Gender Binary & LGBTI People: Religious Myth and Medical Malpractice, by Veronica Drantz.
13) Christianity Can Be Harmful To Your Health, by Harriet Hall.
14) The Christian Abuses of the Sanctity of Life, by Ronald A. Lindsay.
15) Christianity and the Environment, by William Patterson.
Part Four: Social & Moral Harms:
16) The Cultural Wars, by Ed Brayton.
17) The Harm of Christianity to Women, by Annie Laurie Gaylor.
18) Women of Color Beyond Faith, by Sikivu Hutchinson.
19) The Psychological Harms of Christianity, by Valerie Tarico and Marlene Winell.
20) Secular Sexuality: A Direct Challenge to Christianity, by Darrel W. Ray.
21) Abusive Pastors and Churches, by Nathan Phelps.
22) Christianity’s Lack of Concern for Animals, by John W. Loftus.
Part Five: Who’s to Judge and Correct Harms?
23) “Tu Quoque, Atheism?” – Our Right to Judge, by Jonathan MS Pearce.
24) Only Humans Can Solve Human Challenges, by James A. Lindsay.
25) Living Without God, by Russell Blackford.