Diatribes, Volume 2: 50 More Essays from a Scathing Atheist

by Noah Lugeons

This book contains detailed accounts of every major theological discovery made by the human race in the last four thousand years, and manages to do all of that before the first word. Because there are no ‘theological discoveries’. Theology, unique among academic disciplines, has failed to make the faintest trace of progress in the entirety of its existence. And if you doubt that, go ask a theologist what god is. The entire discipline is somehow devoted to studying a concept that remains undefined and unevidenced. And despite its perfect rate of failure, for many people the proclamations of religion outweigh the proclamations of science. This cultural preference for wishful thinking over sound methodology has consequences ranging from amusing to dire, and as our world grows ever more dependant on technology, the consequences of scientific ignorance (willful or otherwise) grow ever more dangerous. As the host of The Scathing Atheist, one of the world’s most popular atheist podcasts, Noah Lugeons channels the frustration of atheists through a combination of wit, rage, and vulgarity in his weekly diatribes. From the trivial frustration to the critical threats, Noah tackles every aspect of religion with the same acerbic humor; because atheists need catharsis, and the future needs atheists.

Genres: Atheism, Religion, Nonfiction, Essays, Anthologies

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2017

Reviews

[Bjoern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a good case of pralines or a bag of Allsorts this is a guilty but nonetheless satisfactory pleasure for the modern day atheist. Lugeons again spreads out the rants most of us would wish we'd be eloquent or snarky enough to deliver in all these situations where the systemic superiority and self-righteousness of our christian countrymen and women is simply too frustrating to bear. And yet he isn't just obnoxious for the sake of confronting the believers, his words are well chosen and funny, while still adressing the headlines of the day or those everyday occurences where Christians are simply unthinkingly condescending or unreflectively insulting just by being themselves. Like when he describes a typical thanksgivings dinner at his sister's house where his atheistic other sister and he had to grind their teeth and stay silent about not believing while the half a dozen christ-addicts spouted off their omnipresent BS nonstop, lording it over the heathens in a literal way.

While this is just a collection of the "diatribes" or introductory monologues for his "Scathing Atheist" podcast and most of these are already found as uploads on Youtube, the format is much better to confront the thoughts at your personal pace and let them really sink in. Audio is so fleeting a format, I'd always prefer the written letter over it.

And of course not everywhere on Earth is the situation as bleary and seemingly hopeless as in the american bible-belt. But America IS an opinionmaker for the rest of us and a lot of the less agreeable facts about public policies in the States comes around to bite all of us sooner or later. This is a book that shows how and why to fight against these developments.
And to - as Noah also points out at one point - feel assured that you are not alone, that your thoughts are not the problem in a world hellbent on staying religious or to die trying. it's a gathering call for all the secular rationalists that feel out of place when Jesus is celebrated for clearing traffic jams or making planes arive on time. It's not an essential book, not a necessity to own. But it is still relevant and makes a good job of pointing out its own case.

[Reno Calavera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I would rate this a four because of some grammatical errors, but there’s so few books by atheists for atheists and I feel that importance makes up the deficit. The read is exactly as advertised, just as the first, but there’s a growth in Noah’s style from the first volume. A refinement that I can’t quite place beyond “more impactful”. I look forward to volume 3.

How I Use the Rating System
1: There is no 0 on the provided scale, so I use this as a 0. I find no redeeming qualities and would not suggest the title to anyone for any reason.
2: I hated the work and regret wasting my time reading it, but find or understand that it has some value.
3: Average. I don’t regret having read it, but what I received as an experience was nominal.
4: I enjoyed or found value in the title, but it’s not something I would recommend to everyone, or I would not consider rereading it, or there was a significant flaw that prevented it from being a 5.
5: I enjoyed it so thoroughly I would reread it and recommend it to just about anyone. Or I found it so valuable that I felt it deserved such a rating.

[Aalok Wyckid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's wasn't until I got close to the end, about Diatribe 48, that I realized that between readings I'd been unexcited about going on, but during readings I'd thought, "Fucking awesome! Noah nails it every time." I'm not sure how to explain it.

[April Poff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt & Rational

Do you want to know what an atheist thinks about? This book and its predecessor answer that question. 50 more essays here that get right to the heart of the whole god question.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

Refreshing, funny and a bit sophomoric, but a nice reminder for those stuck in the Bible Belt that there are other free thinking, sane and logical people out there.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of the introductory segments of the Scathing Atheist podcast, adapted for a print medium and re-ordered by topic instead of podcast release order. Each diatribe is very well written, being witty, well thought out, and to the point. Overall, a quick, fun read

[Christina Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never forget that if nobody would join your religion as a healthy rational adult, it’s wrong.

Also, blasphemy is a fun, victimless heckle.

[Stuart Malcolm · Rating 5 out of 5]

More brilliant, funny, thought provoking essays on the sheer insanity and inanity of religion.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with the Scathing Atheists.