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The Atheist Manifesto: A Declaration for Personal Liberty
This 2nd edition has been editorially corrected in response to user feedback.
In The Atheist Manifesto, Christopher Hitchens presents his case against religion and for mental liberty. Hitchens argues that religion is not merely unnecessary for morality, but actually antithetical to it. In his unwaveringly logical analysis, Hitchens dismantles the moral high ground claimed by religion, and constructs a philosophical platform of rationality, morality, and liberty for all humankind.
In The Atheist Manifesto, Christopher Hitchens presents his case against religion and for mental liberty. Hitchens argues that religion is not merely unnecessary for morality, but actually antithetical to it. In his unwaveringly logical analysis, Hitchens dismantles the moral high ground claimed by religion, and constructs a philosophical platform of rationality, morality, and liberty for all humankind.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2016
62 people are currently reading
586 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Hitchens
163 books7,893 followersChristopher Hitchens was a British-American author, journalist, and literary critic known for his sharp wit, polemical writing, and outspoken views on religion, politics, and culture. He was a prolific essayist and columnist, contributing to publications such as The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, Slate, and The Nation.
A staunch critic of totalitarianism and organized religion, Hitchens became one of the most prominent public intellectuals of his time. His book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) became a bestseller and solidified his place as a leading figure in the New Atheism movement. He was equally fearless in political criticism, taking on figures across the ideological spectrum, from Henry Kissinger (The Trial of Henry Kissinger, 2001) to Bill and Hillary Clinton (No One Left to Lie To, 1999).
Originally a socialist and supporter of left-wing causes, Hitchens later distanced himself from the left, particularly after the September 11 attacks, when he became a vocal advocate for the U.S. invasion of Iraq. His ideological shift, combined with his formidable debating skills, made him a controversial yet highly respected figure.
Hitchens was also known for his literary criticism, writing extensively on figures such as George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, and Karl Marx. His memoir, Hitch-22 (2010), reflected on his personal and intellectual journey.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer but continued to write and speak publicly until his death in 2011. His fearless engagement with ideas, incisive arguments, and commitment to reason remain influential long after his passing.
A staunch critic of totalitarianism and organized religion, Hitchens became one of the most prominent public intellectuals of his time. His book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) became a bestseller and solidified his place as a leading figure in the New Atheism movement. He was equally fearless in political criticism, taking on figures across the ideological spectrum, from Henry Kissinger (The Trial of Henry Kissinger, 2001) to Bill and Hillary Clinton (No One Left to Lie To, 1999).
Originally a socialist and supporter of left-wing causes, Hitchens later distanced himself from the left, particularly after the September 11 attacks, when he became a vocal advocate for the U.S. invasion of Iraq. His ideological shift, combined with his formidable debating skills, made him a controversial yet highly respected figure.
Hitchens was also known for his literary criticism, writing extensively on figures such as George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, and Karl Marx. His memoir, Hitch-22 (2010), reflected on his personal and intellectual journey.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer but continued to write and speak publicly until his death in 2011. His fearless engagement with ideas, incisive arguments, and commitment to reason remain influential long after his passing.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 11, 2016
An excellent and concise arrangement of arguments and refutations by perhaps the greatest rhetorician of his day. Each section is followed by a handy question and answer session to wrap up loose ends.
May 29, 2017
On TAM
Pro: It's Hitchens. The Q+A sections are interesting. Good section on Thomas Payne.
Con: Focus on Gulf War II. These are transcripts of public appearances, so there is rambling and duplicated material
Pro: It's Hitchens. The Q+A sections are interesting. Good section on Thomas Payne.
Con: Focus on Gulf War II. These are transcripts of public appearances, so there is rambling and duplicated material
January 5, 2020
It's not really a manifesto. Rather, the title should be "The case against religion (mostly Christianity)". The Q&As are much more informative.
August 12, 2021
Christopher Hitchens, you are sorely missed
September 9, 2022
The title is a touch misleading, as this is a collection of his Q&A sessions and other speeches and essays. Still full of excellent reasoning, and as always, entertaining.
January 24, 2020
Giving Five stars to a book that made me feel quite inadequate.
I am late to the game in reading Hitchens but will try and catch up a bit in 2020.
Can’t be much wrong with a book that makes you think, expresses something so well and makes you laugh. Such pity I don’t have the opportunity to see him live. Time to hit you tube.
“The Reverend Ian Paisley wouldn't be interviewed by anyone whose show or newspaper came out on Sunday, so I tried to point out to him: Reverend, it's the Monday papers that are printed on the Sunday. I could see his piggy eyes narrow as he took this in.”
“One might argue that the Jewish people wouldn't have made it as far as they did to Mount Sinai, assuming that they did make the trip, if they had been under the impression that murder, theft, perjury and adultery were okay until they got there.”
“You have to name for me a moral action taken, or a moral sentiment uttered by a believer, that couldn't be taken or uttered by me as a nonbeliever. Something that only a believer, a person of faith cold do, I couldn't emulate, because I don't have any belief in God.
So far, no one's been able to suggest anything under that heading, but there's a corollary question, much briefer, and you don't have to stay for an answer. You have to think of a wicked thing said or evil thing done by someone only because they thought God was telling him to do it. Now, you've already thought of one, haven't you?
Of course you have, and now you've thought of another, and another. I rest my case”
I am late to the game in reading Hitchens but will try and catch up a bit in 2020.
Can’t be much wrong with a book that makes you think, expresses something so well and makes you laugh. Such pity I don’t have the opportunity to see him live. Time to hit you tube.
“The Reverend Ian Paisley wouldn't be interviewed by anyone whose show or newspaper came out on Sunday, so I tried to point out to him: Reverend, it's the Monday papers that are printed on the Sunday. I could see his piggy eyes narrow as he took this in.”
“One might argue that the Jewish people wouldn't have made it as far as they did to Mount Sinai, assuming that they did make the trip, if they had been under the impression that murder, theft, perjury and adultery were okay until they got there.”
“You have to name for me a moral action taken, or a moral sentiment uttered by a believer, that couldn't be taken or uttered by me as a nonbeliever. Something that only a believer, a person of faith cold do, I couldn't emulate, because I don't have any belief in God.
So far, no one's been able to suggest anything under that heading, but there's a corollary question, much briefer, and you don't have to stay for an answer. You have to think of a wicked thing said or evil thing done by someone only because they thought God was telling him to do it. Now, you've already thought of one, haven't you?
Of course you have, and now you've thought of another, and another. I rest my case”
May 19, 2016
Fantastic.
September 1, 2017
It was OK. I don't think the title fits the book since it is just a collection of a few of the talks he gave.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews