Need Essays For Atheist Book!

[PeteDarwin]

Atheism Without The Grey Hairs
A Younger Generation’s Rise to Atheism

Dear all young non-theists! I am Pete Darwin and I’m an avid secular humanist atheist and have been all my life. I’m currently completing a Masters of Science at the University of Melbourne in the area of evolutionary genetics and zoology. Anyway, I am working at putting together a book of essays regarding the younger generations’ rise to atheism.

The idea for this book was brought about when I decided I wanted to tell my story about how I became an atheist, as well as share a bit about my personal life with religion and numerous fundi family members. It’s been a bumpy and interesting ride to say the least. However, while reflecting on my own history with religion and atheism I knew there must be numerous other interesting, amazing, scary, and even heartbreaking stories out there that should also be told.

The majority of what one reads, views or hears about atheism comes from an older generation. They are the authors of books, speakers at conferences and hosts on documentaries, and they do an amazing job at it too. However, I think the voice of the younger generations of atheists and their experiences and stories would be a great addition to the scientific, sceptical and non-theistic realm!

I want to provide a book that younger generations of theists, non-theists and agnostics alike can read, more easily digest, and hopefully connect with on a deeper level. I want to show what kind of person your average atheist is, and present an argument to show that the gap between atheists and theists is much narrower than assumed. To show that we atheists just have a different take on life that is based on scientific evidence and fact. Atheists are the least trusted minority according to US polls, when things couldn’t be further from the truth.

So I think it’s incredibly important to create a book that illustrates who and what the average atheist is like, as well as why, when and how they became an atheist.

I hope the book gives theist readers a better understanding of atheism and atheists in general, and not to fear or hate them as all too many do today. I hope it reassures and strengthens other atheists who read it, and that it gets fence sitter agnostics into the right paddock. I also hope that people in the process of losing their religion, or even those who just starting to question things, with something to connect with and provide a little support and guidance.

What is required of essay authors?
To write 2000-5000 words
Firstly, on their rise to atheism (the when, where, why, how), and any other interesting personal stories with religion or supernatural belief.
Secondly, on the role atheism plays in your life.
Thirdly, on at least one thing that brought them to atheism or solidifies there position there.

For the third section I’d like to cover as many areas as possible, which reinforce one’s stance as an atheist or a sceptic (if it’s about supernatural beliefs like astrology/homeopathy/psychics, etc).
Examples: any area of science: evolution, archaeology, geology, history and inaccuracies in the bible, philosophy, issues with morality, Christ mythicism,
So one would introduce that topic and then explain how it is in direct contrast with theism or supernatural beliefs and affirms their atheism. With any personal stories relating to the topic added in if one chooses.

It doesn’t have to be that exact formula, but the main idea is to have a personal story about how one became an atheist and why one remains an atheist with reference to a specific reason/topic. People are welcome to add in anything extra, and go outside of the word limit if they need.

I will be getting in contact with a number of renowned atheists to be involved with this book, and will hopefully have space for 15-20 essays from average Joe young atheists of all shapes and sizes. I have to just quickly mention that all essays may be edited or asked for editing to be made, and that there’s no assurance that all essays will be published in the book. The best 15-20 will be chosen. Anyway, thanks for your time and keep fighting the good fight my friends!

Please share this info around with anyone you think would be interested. Contact me at petedarwin@gmail.com

Pete

[Mousy]

Hmm. I'd be interested in contributing to this. I'm certainly feeling very opinionated lately. And I always was good at essays.

[FBM]

I'm only young if compared to Pensioner, so I guess I'm out of the running.

[PeteDarwin]

Hmm. I'd be interested in contributing to this. I'm certainly feeling very opinionated lately. And I always was good at essays.

Please do . I'll be doing a lot of work on it once I finish masters this nov. So things will really start moving during summer (here in aus), and will be hoping to complete it by the end of next year. So if you can chuck an essay together for me to have a read over by mid-late nov or this xmas, or earlier, doesn't really matter, just email me at petedarwin@gmail.com

Pete

[PeteDarwin]

I'm only young if compared to Pensioner, so I guess I'm out of the running.

Anyone 40 years or younger, as long as they don't have grey hairs haha, is more than welcome to write and essay in application for the book. I can't promise it will get in, but if you write well and have a killer story then you have a good shot!

Pete

[Cormac]

Atheism Without The Grey Hairs
A Younger Generation’s Rise to Atheism

Dear all young non-theists! I am Pete Darwin and I’m an avid secular humanist atheist and have been all my life. I’m currently completing a Masters of Science at the University of Melbourne in the area of evolutionary genetics and zoology. Anyway, I am working at putting together a book of essays regarding the younger generations’ rise to atheism.

The idea for this book was brought about when I decided I wanted to tell my story about how I became an atheist, as well as share a bit about my personal life with religion and numerous fundi family members. It’s been a bumpy and interesting ride to say the least. However, while reflecting on my own history with religion and atheism I knew there must be numerous other interesting, amazing, scary, and even heartbreaking stories out there that should also be told.

The majority of what one reads, views or hears about atheism comes from an older generation. They are the authors of books, speakers at conferences and hosts on documentaries, and they do an amazing job at it too. However, I think the voice of the younger generations of atheists and their experiences and stories would be a great addition to the scientific, sceptical and non-theistic realm!

I want to provide a book that younger generations of theists, non-theists and agnostics alike can read, more easily digest, and hopefully connect with on a deeper level. I want to show what kind of person your average atheist is, and present an argument to show that the gap between atheists and theists is much narrower than assumed. To show that we atheists just have a different take on life that is based on scientific evidence and fact. Atheists are the least trusted minority according to US polls, when things couldn’t be further from the truth.

So I think it’s incredibly important to create a book that illustrates who and what the average atheist is like, as well as why, when and how they became an atheist.

I hope the book gives theist readers a better understanding of atheism and atheists in general, and not to fear or hate them as all too many do today. I hope it reassures and strengthens other atheists who read it, and that it gets fence sitter agnostics into the right paddock. I also hope that people in the process of losing their religion, or even those who just starting to question things, with something to connect with and provide a little support and guidance.

What is required of essay authors?
To write 2000-5000 words
Firstly, on their rise to atheism (the when, where, why, how), and any other interesting personal stories with religion or supernatural belief.
Secondly, on the role atheism plays in your life.
Thirdly, on at least one thing that brought them to atheism or solidifies there position there.

For the third section I’d like to cover as many areas as possible, which reinforce one’s stance as an atheist or a sceptic (if it’s about supernatural beliefs like astrology/homeopathy/psychics, etc).
Examples: any area of science: evolution, archaeology, geology, history and inaccuracies in the bible, philosophy, issues with morality, Christ mythicism,
So one would introduce that topic and then explain how it is in direct contrast with theism or supernatural beliefs and affirms their atheism. With any personal stories relating to the topic added in if one chooses.

It doesn’t have to be that exact formula, but the main idea is to have a personal story about how one became an atheist and why one remains an atheist with reference to a specific reason/topic. People are welcome to add in anything extra, and go outside of the word limit if they need.

I will be getting in contact with a number of renowned atheists to be involved with this book, and will hopefully have space for 15-20 essays from average Joe young atheists of all shapes and sizes. I have to just quickly mention that all essays may be edited or asked for editing to be made, and that there’s no assurance that all essays will be published in the book. The best 15-20 will be chosen. Anyway, thanks for your time and keep fighting the good fight my friends!

Please share this info around with anyone you think would be interested. Contact me at petedarwin@gmail.com

Pete

Who will own the intellectual property?

How will proceeds be shared?

You have made this request of a group of towering and powerful intellects. Most of us, (the non-communists), don't give away our creative jools for free.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

What about experiences from when the geezers weren't so geezerish?

[Geoff]

[

You have made this request of a group of towering and powerful intellects.

Damn, what's gone wrong with my rationalia bookmark?

[PeteDarwin]

Who will own the intellectual property?

How will proceeds be shared?

You have made this request of a group of towering and powerful intellects. Most of us, (the non-communists), don't give away our creative jools for free.

I'm going to speak to a publisher in the near future about these sorts of things. I personally am not doing this for money lol although I'm a really poor student, the main reason I'm doing this is to get a piece of work together that hopefully can connect with a lot of other atheists, agnostics and theists our age. However, I'm sure some of the other big names I'm hoping to get involved will require a % of proceedings and I will be more than happy to accommodate that if they require. If you feel the same, and assuming your work is published in the book maybe something can be worked out. I might add that I'd hope to donate a large portion of the proceedings to an atheist charity like Richard Dawkins Foundation.

I will say though that I am a very honest person and will not be publishing any work without the writer's permission.

Pete

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If you can provide convincing evidence that the profits will go to a suitable endeavor a lot of people would feel more comfortable contributing, I think. (You do realize that there may never be a single cent of profits, correct?)

[PeteDarwin]

Yeah definitely mate, and as I said I'm not doing this for money at all. I don't really care if it makes a profit or not. I'm more interested in the work itself and getting it out there and available to anyone who wants to read it.

[Cormac]

If you can provide convincing evidence that the profits will go to a suitable endeavor a lot of people would feel more comfortable contributing, I think. (You do realize that there may never be a single cent of profits, correct?)

Nonsense, a simple mention that Dev and I, and one or two of our other Irish compadres may contribute will be enough to loosen any publisher's coffers, (not to mention their drawers...).

You know how publishers are suckers for Irish writers. Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, Stoker, and Behan are just a few Irish writers who languish in the coat-tails of me and Dev, and our Irish Ratz pals...

[PeteDarwin]

I'm going to put together a proposal tonight and will post it somewhere so that people may read it before deciding whether or not to contribute. If one requires any other assurances I'll do what's needed, I just think this is a really good project and just want to get it on the way and eventually completed, then into the hands of anyone interested in the topic.

[FBM]

I'm only young if compared to Pensioner, so I guess I'm out of the running.

Anyone 40 years or younger, as long as they don't have grey hairs haha, is more than welcome to write and essay in application for the book. I can't promise it will get in, but if you write well and have a killer story then you have a good shot!

Pete

What's up with the ageism? I can write my ass off, but you've lost a potential contributor. Good luck with getting the naive young 'uns to do all your writing for you for free while you walk away with the $$ and credits.

[PeteDarwin]

I'm only young if compared to Pensioner, so I guess I'm out of the running.

Anyone 40 years or younger, as long as they don't have grey hairs haha, is more than welcome to write and essay in application for the book. I can't promise it will get in, but if you write well and have a killer story then you have a good shot!

Pete

What's up with the ageism? I can write my ass off, but you've lost a potential contributor. Good luck with getting the naive young 'uns to do all your writing for you for free while you walk away with the $$ and credits.

I've already said this isn't about taking advantage of anyone to make money. I could care less about getting rich of people and not giving them credit. The whole point for this book is for it to be written by the younger generations of atheists coming forward, I had to have a cut off age somewhere... So apologies if it offends, it wasn't meant to do so. I'm not in this for money as I said, and to be honest I am not really interested in involving others who are only interested in it for monetary reasons.

The proceedings and where they will go will be worked out as soon as possible, but again I expect to have many more people applying for the 15-20 positions than those that are available, so I can't assure everyone will get an essay in. My personal preference will be to do this for non-profit and donate everyone's proceedings to their personal choice of accredited charity that has NO religious affiliation.