Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings

Rate this book
"Not only do I believe that it is possible to maintain moral standards without the crutch of religion but I would argue that it is the only way to achieve true goodness." Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings compiles popular and lesser-known arguments against the principles established by the Christian canon. Using a phenomenological approach to build his case based on in-depth study at the University of California, Santa Barbara McAfee analyzes the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament doctrine to build a logical and reasonable case against their validity. From contradictions between lived and portrayed religions to factual errors within the texts themselves, no stone is left unturned in this fully updated and expanded refutation of Christianity.

166 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2010

128 people are currently reading
483 people want to read

About the author

David G. McAfee

13 books168 followers
David G. McAfee is a journalist and author of The Curious Person's Guide to Fighting Fake News, No Sacred Cows: Investigating Myths, Cults, and the Supernatural, and other books. He is a former columnist for Canadian Freethinker Magazine and a contributor to American Atheist Magazine. Mr. McAfee attended University of California, Santa Barbara, and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in English and Religious Studies with an emphasis on Christianity and Mediterranean religions. After experiencing discrimination within the American public education system as a result of his secular activism, David G. McAfee sought to help those who fear similar professional or familial consequences to their public non-belief.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
151 (35%)
4 stars
152 (35%)
3 stars
86 (20%)
2 stars
27 (6%)
1 star
13 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Book Shark.
783 reviews169 followers
August 26, 2014
Disproving Christianity: Refuting the World’s Most Followed Religion by David G. McAfee

“Disproving Christianity" is a refutation of common arguments held by Christian tradition. This average book makes use of logic and biblical scripture to make clear that Christianity can be dismissed as a theory or an idea due to a plethora of contradictions. This brief 98-page book includes the following eight chapters: 1. Cultural Christianity, 2. Brief Introduction to Christianity in America, 3. Morality vs. Worship, 4. Mainstream Theories of Disproval, 5. Contradictions in Scripture and in Practice, 6. Minor Contradictions, 7. Atrocities and Absurdities Committed or Condoned by the Lord, and 8. Conclusion.

Positives:
1. A brief, accessible book.
2. The fascinating topic of religion.
3. A focus on biblical contradictions.
4. Does a good job of defining terms.
5. A look at morality. “Morals do exist outside of organized religion, and the “morality” taught by many of these archaic systems are outdated, sexist, racist, and teach intolerance and inequality.”
6. Historical factoids of interest. “The “In God We Trust” motto first appeared on an American two-cent coin in 1864.”
7. How Christianity in America impedes social progress. The issue of same-sex marriage, “The most cited example is in Leviticus 18:22: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination.”
8. A look at mainstream Christian theories that McAfee debunks. Good stuff I wish he had elaborated some more. “If this is true and God enters the lives of some individuals in order to heal them, why wouldn’t he heal someone with a more obvious problem—like an amputee who is missing an appendage? According to this logic, God is credited for helping some people (possibly millions) who suffer from diseases, but has never healed a single amputee or anyone suffering from a life-threatening but physically visible issue.”
9. The meat of this book revolves around biblical contradictions that demonstrate its fallibility and hence the disproval of Christianity. “For instance, in Matthew 24:32-34, Jesus indicates that not a generation will pass before his return and rapture: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
10. An interesting look at polytheism. “Exodus 18:11: “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods.”
11. A section on minor biblical contradictions was provided.
12. The endorsement of slavery is in my opinion the nail on the proverbial coffin. “Exodus 21:20-21: “And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.” Despicable!
13. Misogyny rears its ugly head. “Because Eve was the bearer of ‘original sin’ by first eating from the Tree of Knowledge, God ensures that she and all of her female descendants will pay for the trespass by enduring painful childbirth.”
14. The conclusions resonate.
15. Well cited book.

Negatives:
1. The truth is this book is very basic. It lacks depth.
2. Lacks panache. McAfee words don’t correlate with his energetic persona. Where’s the passion, the fire?
3. A brief history of how the Bible was put together was warranted.
4. Though making an initial claim that science will be part of the equation to make refutations very little is referenced here. (Age of earth comes to mind.)
5. Lack of supplementary materials.
6. Low production value.
7. No formal bibliography.

In summary, this is an average book at best. There are many more compelling atheist books covering this topic. The book is accessible and easy to get through and covers popular biblical discrepancies. I agree with the conclusions brought forth in this brief book but was disappointed with its lack of depth. If you are interested at a brief, basic look at biblical contradictions it’s worth reading otherwise there are better books on this fascinating topic.

Further recommendations: “Why I’m Not a Christian” by Richard Carrier, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Atheism for Dummies” by Dale McGowan, “The End of Christianity” by John Loftus, “The Atheist Universe” by David Mills, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, “The God Argument” by A.C. Grayling, “50 popular beliefs that people think are true” by Guy P. Harrison, “Godless” by Dan Barker, “God is not Great” by Christopher Hitchens, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “Moral Combat” by Sikivu Hutchinson, “The Religion Virus” Craig A. James, “American Fascists” by Chris Hedges, “Doubt” by Jennifer Michael Hecht, and “Society Without God” by Phil Zuckerman.
Profile Image for Jim Whitefield.
Author 8 books28 followers
November 3, 2011
I read this second edition for David, prepublication, and can highly recommend it. In his book ‘Disproving Christianity’, David McAfee systematically dismantles some of the basic tenets of the world’s most popular brand of religion. In particular, he dissects various aspects affecting the very basis of Christianity directly from God’s own book – the ‘holy’ Bible. McAfee shows time and again, inconsistencies and discrepancies as well as many contradictions that are attributed to the Christian God; a character who is supposedly all knowing and essentially perfect – and infallible. The resulting conclusion that one is obliged to reach at the end of a journey through this succinct look at the many problems, is that either the Christian God is a complete liar at worst, entirely contradictory at best, or most likely that He is not actually real at all. The reader is really not left with any alternative conclusion – unless ‘faith’ in the idea that God can somehow still recover from the onslaught renders the reader incapable of common sense and reason – attributes that would serve much better than faith when considering the numerous problems McAfee considers and exposes. Whilst the seasoned scholar may require more than is on offer, this book will more than suit most readers who are looking for a rounded and rational ‘easy to understand and appreciate’ analysis of the reality behind Christianity.
Profile Image for Rory Fox.
Author 9 books47 followers
January 2, 2021
This book disproves a literalist fundamentalist type of Christianity, but mainstream Christians will probably not recognise the version of Christianity which has been disproved. For this reason, the book is interesting but probably of limited relevance.

Going through the bible and highlighting conflicting passages is an interesting exercise and it has been done many times in history. Some of the earliest challenges to Christianity took exactly this approach. In around the year 140 AD Marcion of Sinope suggested that Christians should abandon Old Testament passages that were problematic. A few year later, around 170 AD, Celsus’s disproof of Christianity cited a wider range of problematic passages.

Christians responded to these kinds of critiques 1700 years ago. They have continued to do so throughout history, as critics of Christianity have periodically re-published lists of conflicting biblical texts. It would have made the book more effective, and potentially more convincing, if the author had dealt with Christian rebuttals of these critiques, rather than just repeating the allegations of conflict.

One of the central issues is whether the bible must be read as if it is literally true. Even 1500 years ago St Augustine of Hippo (354-431) made the point that the bible cannot be intended as a completely literal document. Amongst many examples which he cites, he notes that in Genesis the Sun is not created until the 4th day of creation, yet the sun is assumed prior to that as the measure of the days of creation. So clearly, concluded Augustine, this cannot be a literally true account of creation.

Biblical Chronologies is another area where issues of literal truth arise. Over the centuries it has proved tempting to try and add up all the biblical dates and reach a date for the creation of the world. Doing precisely this, James Ussher (1581-1656) concluded that the instant of creation occurred at 6pm on 22nd October 4004 BC. And yes this does indeed conflict with science. But Science doesn’t necessarily prove that the bible is wrong, because it is not clear that the bible dates should be interpreted as being literally true. For example, the dates in the Old testament seem to add up to a symbolically significant figure of precisely 4000 years from the creation of the world to the re-dedication of the temple in the Maccabean era. Are the dates deliberately designed to suggest symbolically important eras and epochs leading up to this momentous event, or is it just a coincidence that the event happened literally 4000 years after a literal creation of the world ? Answering this question involves a choice and there is no need for Christians to make the choice which creates the conflict with science.

This question of literalness raises the question of truth. If the bible isn’t literally true, then some people find it tempting to think that it cannot be true at all. But that is an implausible view which few mainstream Christians, or non-Christians, would accept. We know that metaphors and symbols can convey truths which are not literal and we can see this in parables and stories. For example, Aesop tells a story about an argument between the Sun and Wind about who can get a traveller to remove a cloak. The wind blows violently and fails. The sun shines gently and succeeds. The story is obviously not literally true (as the Sun and Wind do not have voices). Yet it conveys a truth about the greater power of warmth and kindness over violence. These kinds of examples show that it is too crude to try and reduce ideas of truth to a concept of literalness. So, mainstream Christians do not try to reduce the truth of the bible to the claim that it is all, literally true.

Once it is no longer assumed that the bible is literally true, then the issue of textual contradictions and conflicts cited by the author do not arise. This means that, ultimately, this book cannot deliver its promised disproof of Christianity.
Profile Image for Krisko Isackson.
55 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2014
Bad. Bad bad bad. There is absolutely no reason for ten percent of the book to be in italics. If you're an atheist who has looked into this in the least, you're familiar with these arguments, and probably in much more detail. If you're a Christian reading this book, you won't be convinced in the slightest. So I'm not really sure what the target market is for this book...
Profile Image for Chito L. Sta.Brigida.
16 reviews45 followers
April 29, 2016
A must read for anyone who are at that point in their lives beginning to question and/or starting to have doubts in their religion, most especially in Christianity... it's teachings, beliefs, and its 'blind followers.'

This book is an easy read, direct to the point but detailed in pointing out the discrepancies in the Christian bible. Find out for yourself. One of my favorite books in my collection.
Profile Image for Nicole.
Author 3 books8 followers
July 19, 2015
I was raised as a Catholic because my mother was. I was still a teenager when I started to question pieces of the religion and could get no answers. This book took my skepticism to another level when I started to realize while listening the amount that the Catholic church left out. Believer or not, this is something you should pick up and ponder.
Profile Image for Ric.
45 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2015
If you are a Christian: I DARE YOU! I DOUBLE DARE YOU! To read this book. You're book is not fallible and let David show you why.

If you are from another religion: Your religious texts should not be that difficult to disprove. Read this book to learn techniques in disproving a religion.
Profile Image for Tobias Ådin.
39 reviews9 followers
September 11, 2017
A most wonderful book!
It brings atheism a fresh, new face, one very appreciated.
This is a must-read for any secular, atheist, or otherwise non-believer.
Profile Image for Johannes Solano.
59 reviews
August 12, 2018
I read this back in 2015. This should be called, "Disproving Biblical Fundamentalism & Other Antitheistic Writings."
Profile Image for Todd Weller.
3 reviews
January 2, 2023
Strawmen and Red Herrings. Mis-Interpretations. His treatment of Prophetic texts and basic teachings of Jesus, his lack of knowledge of hermeneutics, Israelite cultural and writing styles, and treatment of “contradictions” leaves me unimpressed.

Profile Image for John Michael Strubhart.
535 reviews11 followers
January 16, 2016
If Christianity is taken to be a way of life based on a literal interpretation of the New Testament, the author certainly disproves its validity. That's not even a challenge if you have half a brain and you actually bother to read the NT. Most Christians that I personally know don't observe that kind of Christianity and would be appalled at some of the ideals espoused in the NT and conveniently left out of Sunday sermons. Furthermore, I know few people who accept as factual the supernatural, apocalyptic and magic nonsense that the NT promotes as history. If you're the kind of Christian that takes the more inclusive and compassionate parts of the NT while ignoring the magical bullshit, this book disproves nothing for you. Amen.
Profile Image for Tsallinia.
22 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2022
The author has no basic understanding of the tenets of Christianity. As an atheist and former christian, I found the argumentation laughable. Books like this don't help with the spread of atheism...
Profile Image for Kärun .
14 reviews
February 5, 2023
introduction to Christian fallacy

McAfee lists the many paradoxes and contradictions in Christianity. However he does so using pejoratives and insults. This maybe a primer for non-believers but not good for leading a discussion with those still in religion.

He also made several statements like 17% of Canadians are non religious compared to minuscule 11-14% of USA. Those are statistically identical numbers. This is the kind of error he would verbally annihilate the religious for using similar distinctions.
2 reviews
January 8, 2023
I suppose the purpose of the book was to very superficially describe problems with the Bible. The author does do this. It’s clear, however, that the author has never learned many of the nuances of Biblical meaning that would lead him to grasp certain concepts better — or at least be able to articulate them without committing multiple “straw man” fallacies.
13 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2023
Almost perfect

The author very clearly outlines each point and is very succinct in his disproving. However, when he mentions that the Bible states mankind shall not lay with man as he does with worm, the author failed to mention those words were paid to be put into the Bible and are not in the original version. Otherwise, this book is perfect in every way
Profile Image for Lolo.
191 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2017
An awesome and short book. The ideas challenged are very well thought. The author makes a lot of good arguments.

Would recommend this book to anyone that identifies as a christian, but still has an open mind.
175 reviews6 followers
November 21, 2021
It is a needed book, so people at least able to ask questions about their religion can reach out and read it. It is true that absurdities of Church are not well known unless someone had a chance to find solid and well documented resources. Disproving Christianity serves this purpose quite well.
Profile Image for Kendra.
26 reviews7 followers
November 23, 2021
So many big words but very well thought out and researched. Brought up examples I didn't even know existed. Wished it would've been an easier read and wish he would've used a more modern Bible as the NJV is quite hard to read 😬
Profile Image for Dian.
127 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2022
I appreciate the author's point of view and his thesis in many places but I would have preferred it if they had been fleshed out more. I would like to point out that my copy of this book only had 83 pages, so he may have expounded on his ideas in a different edition that I did not have.
Profile Image for Abby Rose.
75 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2023
A good summary of problems with the Bible. If you have never read a biblical critique you will find it eye opening. It only took a few hours to read. I was hoping for something more thorough, so I guess Iʻll have to keep looking
4 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2021
Excellent book

This book helps to bring out discrepancies in the Bible and in Christianity. It is important to understand what you say you believe.
Profile Image for Andy.
42 reviews
May 30, 2021
It does read a bit like a college essay, but in fairness the author warns about this in the very beginning. Makes some good points and well researched arguments
788 reviews2 followers
Read
December 21, 2022
The formatting of this (borrowed through Hoopla) was not good. It was quite difficult to read because of the jumble of words.
Profile Image for Storm Welman.
13 reviews
May 31, 2024
The reviews of angry religious individuals saying that the author is going to Hell was the tip over the edge in buying this book. Did not disappoint
Profile Image for Josie Smith.
4 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2014
The points were compelling. Unfortunately I arrived on most of these conclusions on my own prior to reading the book.

It is a great book for a person who has questions or doesn't know where to start. The book was a little too simple for me; it reminded me of a 'pocket guide' approach rather than going into deep analysis/discussion. I was hoping for more in-depth discussion and philosophical and moral debate with facts and evidence for support.

The only reason I gave it 3 stars is because it, to me, is more of a beginner's book to the subject and doesn't dive as deep as I was hoping. It merely scratches the surface on many of the subjects presented. For a beginner's book I give it 5 stars.
Profile Image for Randon.
13 reviews9 followers
March 4, 2014
It is concise, straightforward and an easy read. It covers the most poignant and arguments about the irrationality of Christianity. Contains a basic list of the most important biblical contradictions that disprove infallibility . It is good starting point for those not very biblicaly literate (believer or non-believer). Most of the arguments apply only to mainstream Christian Protestant and Catholic sect beliefs, as any Restorationist sect (Mormonism for example) use many of these arguments against the older rivals and have 'cleaned up' translations of the bible and/or new scriptures amending issues.
Profile Image for Tommy Cummings.
23 reviews
June 8, 2014
David did good job at refuting Christianity. I might even change that statement to "refuting fundamentalist Christianity". It is a relatively short book that can be read in one sitting. It was organized well and moved quickly. While he lists several contradictions and problems with Christianity and their holy book, it moves quickly without getting bogged down. While not a scholarly work it is intelligent and I believe it represents Christianity fairly. Good read for those who might be having some questions concerning their faith.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Lovell.
18 reviews4 followers
April 20, 2015
I was given this book by a friend and while I wasn't quite sure what to expect I wasn't entirely disappointed. Most of the book was made by stating a biblical quote than refuting it with a contradictory biblical quote followed by a few paragraphs from the author. It read a little dry sometimes but the best parts for me were the essays at the end particularly the ones titled "Why Atheists Should Understand the Bible" and "Religion and War: The Chicken and the Egg". A good read and thought provoking on Christian ideology in America.
Profile Image for Denise.
Author 1 book31 followers
October 6, 2014
The description does a good job of telling what this book is about. I have this on my Kindle, making a quick look up of scriptures for particular topics easy and efficient. It is a short read similar to the Skeptic's Annotated Bible or The X-Rated Bible by Ben Edward Akerley. Given that it (or much of it) can be found online for free along with the Annotated Bible, purchase is not necessary.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.