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Hi, I'm an Atheist!: What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others
The essential guide to coming out as a non-believerDavid G. McAfee was raised in a conservative American Christian household. So when he stopped believing in God—any god—his family was shocked. He quickly realized that atheists are misunderstood, frequently thought of as Satan worshippers and anarchists. Thus started McAfee's journey to his true self, and crusade to tell others—especially those who are devoutly religious—what atheism really is, what he believes in, and why atheists should not be feared.In Hi, I'm an Atheist!, McAfee looks at what an atheist believes and how to “come out” as an atheist to your friends, family, and co-workers, offering sound advice on overcoming the difficult moments in any “coming out” conversation. Including a resource guide both for people just coming to atheism and people who have been atheists for years as well as an interview with Rebecca Vitsmun, the woman made famous for coming out as an atheist live on CNN, Hi I’m an Atheist! is a smart, sensitive, and realistic guide to living one’s life positively and honestly without the need for a belief in God.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2021
28 people are currently reading
1230 people want to read
About the author
David G. McAfee
13 books168 followersDavid 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.
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September 12, 2021
I am an atheist and I was so exhausted by this book.
David G. McAfee’s Hi, I’m an Atheist: What That Means and How to Talk About it With Others is often sloppy, arrogant and patronizing. McAfee is so focused on proving atheism is better than religion that he undermines his own advice about how and why to talk to people about being an atheist. Very few experts on communication recommend founding a difficult conversation on the idea that one position is clearly better than the other and eventually the other person will change their mind, if they are smart enough.
McAfee lost me in the first chapter with his description of atheists “coming out.”
"Although coming out as atheist has become commonplace, the term began in reference to homosexuals who disclose their sexual orientation to their family and friends—becoming “openly gay.”"
So, the first flag is accepting the appropriation of LGBTQ+ culture and the second flag is flattening LGBTQ+ culture to “homosexuals.” Coming out in the LGBTQ+ community is a personal decision about being one’s authentic self in terms of sexuality and gender. Homophobia, transphobia, sexism and racism are alive and well in atheist and other secular spaces. Given the way McAfee addresses the intersection of LGBTQ+ and atheism, I don’t feel like he himself has risen above such cultural blind spots.
McAfee asserts that morality and love, among other things, are only true if they don’t rest on an idea of a divine judge or and afterlife. Essentially, my morality is better than a religious person’s morality because I do good with no promise of heavenly reward, and I love more truly because I know we won’t spend eternity together and accept love is worth the inevitable pain of loss. First, not every religion has a concept of reward or punishment in the afterlife, so as much as he occasionally references Judaism and Islam, he’s really talking about atheism in relationship to Christianity. Secondly, going into a conversation with someone you value holding the mindset that you are better than them is an essential ingredient for failure. McAfee does say that you might want to adopt an agreed to disagree position early on, but he spends much more time on why atheism is right. There is a short account from an atheist married to a Christian about how their marriage works. They respect each other, are honest with each other, and pick their battles. Unfortunately, that person didn’t write the book and doesn’t talk about how he initially introduced his atheism to his now wife.
A lot of this book made me feel like I’ve been lucky. I have had to deal with misconceptions about me because I don’t believe in a god or gods, but rarely have I had to deal with outright hostility. Even the deeply Southern parts of my family are mostly more culturally Christian, than religiously so. Furthermore, the members of my family who are evangelical Christians have stuck with living their faith instead of attempting to proselytize to me. I have had many positive relationships, familial, personal and professional, with people of various religious faiths. Even so, I still feel like I could use some help in gently talking with people I don’t know well about being an atheist and an Ethical Humanist. David G. McAfee did not write that book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy. I reviewed this voluntarily.
David G. McAfee’s Hi, I’m an Atheist: What That Means and How to Talk About it With Others is often sloppy, arrogant and patronizing. McAfee is so focused on proving atheism is better than religion that he undermines his own advice about how and why to talk to people about being an atheist. Very few experts on communication recommend founding a difficult conversation on the idea that one position is clearly better than the other and eventually the other person will change their mind, if they are smart enough.
McAfee lost me in the first chapter with his description of atheists “coming out.”
"Although coming out as atheist has become commonplace, the term began in reference to homosexuals who disclose their sexual orientation to their family and friends—becoming “openly gay.”"
So, the first flag is accepting the appropriation of LGBTQ+ culture and the second flag is flattening LGBTQ+ culture to “homosexuals.” Coming out in the LGBTQ+ community is a personal decision about being one’s authentic self in terms of sexuality and gender. Homophobia, transphobia, sexism and racism are alive and well in atheist and other secular spaces. Given the way McAfee addresses the intersection of LGBTQ+ and atheism, I don’t feel like he himself has risen above such cultural blind spots.
McAfee asserts that morality and love, among other things, are only true if they don’t rest on an idea of a divine judge or and afterlife. Essentially, my morality is better than a religious person’s morality because I do good with no promise of heavenly reward, and I love more truly because I know we won’t spend eternity together and accept love is worth the inevitable pain of loss. First, not every religion has a concept of reward or punishment in the afterlife, so as much as he occasionally references Judaism and Islam, he’s really talking about atheism in relationship to Christianity. Secondly, going into a conversation with someone you value holding the mindset that you are better than them is an essential ingredient for failure. McAfee does say that you might want to adopt an agreed to disagree position early on, but he spends much more time on why atheism is right. There is a short account from an atheist married to a Christian about how their marriage works. They respect each other, are honest with each other, and pick their battles. Unfortunately, that person didn’t write the book and doesn’t talk about how he initially introduced his atheism to his now wife.
A lot of this book made me feel like I’ve been lucky. I have had to deal with misconceptions about me because I don’t believe in a god or gods, but rarely have I had to deal with outright hostility. Even the deeply Southern parts of my family are mostly more culturally Christian, than religiously so. Furthermore, the members of my family who are evangelical Christians have stuck with living their faith instead of attempting to proselytize to me. I have had many positive relationships, familial, personal and professional, with people of various religious faiths. Even so, I still feel like I could use some help in gently talking with people I don’t know well about being an atheist and an Ethical Humanist. David G. McAfee did not write that book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy. I reviewed this voluntarily.
June 27, 2021
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll admit, when I saw the bright, cheery cover of this book, I thought this was going to be a fun, quirky, albeit maybe a little tongue-in-cheek guide for atheists on how to come out to their religious family members and navigate those oftentimes awkward conversations around the dinner table and at family gatherings.
So imagine my surprise when I open this to find that it’s full-blown discourse on secularism and the existence and treatment of atheists in modern-day society. Like, I would argue that this is less of a whimsical guide and more of a scholarly nonfiction book in which the author largely argues against the existence of God(s) and the need for religion. I definitely would not give this to a loved one who was religious as a way to help them understand me and my struggles or to help bridge the gap between us. It would basically be giving them a book completely disproving their religion and asserting that their beliefs are illogical. Not exactly the best way to go about wanting your loved one to accept you for you who are...
Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who for the most part agreed with everything the author said. I have my own beliefs on organized religion, the validity of it, the ways in which it’s been used to reinforce one’s own bigotry, and other personal criticisms that I have with it. That’s a whole other conversation. We don’t need to go there. But just looking at it objectively from an outsider’s perspective, do I think that the answer is to invalidate another person’s religious beliefs in order to declare that my worldview is superior? No. My hope in coming out as atheist wouldn’t be to try to make a compelling argument and persuade someone to have the same beliefs as me. For one, religious beliefs are an incredibly personal thing for a lot of people that go deeper than presenting facts. It’s unshakeable faith, and I would never want to overstep and get in the way of that for someone.
But this is where the author really makes a bad case for himself and all atheists, by basically conforming to the stereotype that everyone thinks about atheists: that they’re know-it-alls who are going to try to disprove religion at any chance they get. There’s even a point when talking about coming out to family members as atheist for the first time that he then writes this:
“Over time, it is even possible you might convince your loved ones that they don’t need religious doctrines to live happy and full lives, perhaps freeing them from centuries-old supernatural dogmas, too.”
Yet throughout the book the author criticizes religious people for pushing their beliefs onto atheists, bringing up instances such as Jehovah’s Witnesses who go door-to-door. But hey, who knows. Maybe your family members will come to their senses and identify as atheists, too! Isn’t that… pretty much falling into the very thing that you resent about religious people? Also, in coming out as atheist, wanting to simultaneously convert your family members shouldn’t ultimately be the end goal. Just as you hope that your atheism will be accepted, so too should you respect others’ beliefs and refrain from trying to convert them or make them feel like they need to change their worldview to match yours. Otherwise we’re just going around in circles with both parties wanting to save or convert the other, with no one truly accepting the other for their belief system in the end.
But this is the general attitude that the author maintains throughout the book, often coming across as quite arrogant and self-righteous while having moments of being very condescending when it came to discussing other peoples’ religious beliefs, asserting that his own atheistic worldview was clearly superior.
(in a Q&A section of the book) “Why do you hate Christians?”
(paraphrased) I don’t. I simply think they are indoctrinated with irrational beliefs.
This is just one of several examples throughout the book where he makes little jabs and patronizing comments at religious people, like stating that they’re guilty of “wishful thinking” and even one instance where he basically says, “Telling someone that they’re wrong doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”
I think a big issue with this book was that the cover didn’t match what this book was actually about. It’s marketed as a fun little guide for atheists as they navigate life after coming out, but instead you find it’s an in-depth argument in favor of atheism and debunking all other religions. While there are still sections of this book that serve as a guide for coming out as atheist and having those conversations with loved ones, just know going in that a large portion of this book centers around theological criticism rather than helpful tips. Even speaking as a fellow atheist who is outspoken in my own little circles and who on paper agreed with the arguments and conversation that the author presented, I can’t say that I agreed with the approach that he took.
So would I recommend this book? Perhaps, if you are an atheist who simply wants their beliefs validated. Not so much if you genuinely want to use this book to have genuine conversations with religious loved ones built on mutual respect and understanding for each other.
I’ll admit, when I saw the bright, cheery cover of this book, I thought this was going to be a fun, quirky, albeit maybe a little tongue-in-cheek guide for atheists on how to come out to their religious family members and navigate those oftentimes awkward conversations around the dinner table and at family gatherings.
So imagine my surprise when I open this to find that it’s full-blown discourse on secularism and the existence and treatment of atheists in modern-day society. Like, I would argue that this is less of a whimsical guide and more of a scholarly nonfiction book in which the author largely argues against the existence of God(s) and the need for religion. I definitely would not give this to a loved one who was religious as a way to help them understand me and my struggles or to help bridge the gap between us. It would basically be giving them a book completely disproving their religion and asserting that their beliefs are illogical. Not exactly the best way to go about wanting your loved one to accept you for you who are...
Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who for the most part agreed with everything the author said. I have my own beliefs on organized religion, the validity of it, the ways in which it’s been used to reinforce one’s own bigotry, and other personal criticisms that I have with it. That’s a whole other conversation. We don’t need to go there. But just looking at it objectively from an outsider’s perspective, do I think that the answer is to invalidate another person’s religious beliefs in order to declare that my worldview is superior? No. My hope in coming out as atheist wouldn’t be to try to make a compelling argument and persuade someone to have the same beliefs as me. For one, religious beliefs are an incredibly personal thing for a lot of people that go deeper than presenting facts. It’s unshakeable faith, and I would never want to overstep and get in the way of that for someone.
But this is where the author really makes a bad case for himself and all atheists, by basically conforming to the stereotype that everyone thinks about atheists: that they’re know-it-alls who are going to try to disprove religion at any chance they get. There’s even a point when talking about coming out to family members as atheist for the first time that he then writes this:
“Over time, it is even possible you might convince your loved ones that they don’t need religious doctrines to live happy and full lives, perhaps freeing them from centuries-old supernatural dogmas, too.”
Yet throughout the book the author criticizes religious people for pushing their beliefs onto atheists, bringing up instances such as Jehovah’s Witnesses who go door-to-door. But hey, who knows. Maybe your family members will come to their senses and identify as atheists, too! Isn’t that… pretty much falling into the very thing that you resent about religious people? Also, in coming out as atheist, wanting to simultaneously convert your family members shouldn’t ultimately be the end goal. Just as you hope that your atheism will be accepted, so too should you respect others’ beliefs and refrain from trying to convert them or make them feel like they need to change their worldview to match yours. Otherwise we’re just going around in circles with both parties wanting to save or convert the other, with no one truly accepting the other for their belief system in the end.
But this is the general attitude that the author maintains throughout the book, often coming across as quite arrogant and self-righteous while having moments of being very condescending when it came to discussing other peoples’ religious beliefs, asserting that his own atheistic worldview was clearly superior.
(in a Q&A section of the book) “Why do you hate Christians?”
(paraphrased) I don’t. I simply think they are indoctrinated with irrational beliefs.
This is just one of several examples throughout the book where he makes little jabs and patronizing comments at religious people, like stating that they’re guilty of “wishful thinking” and even one instance where he basically says, “Telling someone that they’re wrong doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”
I think a big issue with this book was that the cover didn’t match what this book was actually about. It’s marketed as a fun little guide for atheists as they navigate life after coming out, but instead you find it’s an in-depth argument in favor of atheism and debunking all other religions. While there are still sections of this book that serve as a guide for coming out as atheist and having those conversations with loved ones, just know going in that a large portion of this book centers around theological criticism rather than helpful tips. Even speaking as a fellow atheist who is outspoken in my own little circles and who on paper agreed with the arguments and conversation that the author presented, I can’t say that I agreed with the approach that he took.
So would I recommend this book? Perhaps, if you are an atheist who simply wants their beliefs validated. Not so much if you genuinely want to use this book to have genuine conversations with religious loved ones built on mutual respect and understanding for each other.
June 22, 2021
As a atheist my self I'm so glad that this book is around. I really liked how each chapter starts with a quote, and the chapter on building or joining a community of like-minded people was interesting and helpful.
However there was allot of repeated sentences.
However there was allot of repeated sentences.
July 11, 2022
Sigh. Alright. Here we go.
As an Indigenous person, I have a very specific relationship with Christianity--it fucked my life over. My family members were victims of residential schools, our culture attempted to be completely stripped from us, forced into a culture we didn't want or fit into neatly. This book was not meant for somebody like me, who has an actual culture and people and is also an Atheist. This book was meant for (mostly white) people escaping their Christianity. The framing, the worldview, and the whole basis of the book rely on the reader being specifically traumatized by Christianity. I also wanted to briefly bring up, as well, the phenomenon that I've seen a few people discuss, wherein Atheists accidentally use the same tactics as Christians to try to "spread Atheism" in the same way that the book highlights how Christians approach Atheists about their lack of faith. The culture of Christianity and the people themselves are taken away. Still, these Atheists haven't unpacked their religion and successfully decolonized their understanding of it, so they continue to exhibit the same patterns as their predecessors. I'm not saying it applies here, necessarily, in all parts of the book, but I think I underlined a few sections at the beginning that seemed to teeter on that line.
Some parts of the book are good, informative, and probably something good for somebody who just found out yesterday that the Christian God doesn't exist. But on the whole, I found the book full of missed opportunities and glaring reminders of the lack of BIPOC representation in Atheist communities.
I also didn't like the framing of the book co-opting the LGBTQ+ movement, nor the use of the 1950s sounding "homosexual," which seemed like a blind thesaurus pick. When I say this is co-opting, I mean the whole book is talking about "coming out" to your peers and family as an Atheist. As someone who is also struggling to come out to their own family, this was frustrating because non-religious people can hide their lack of faith. They have that privilege. LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Atheists do not, however, have the ability to hide the things about themselves that make them targets in society. Unfortunately, this book does not seem to understand that, or at the very least, it doesn't seem to think it's important to mention.
I am trying not to be too harsh because I agree with this guy on some things. I mean, I AM an Atheist. But I felt like there were rash decisions on how to approach this conversation that holds it back for me. I just might not have been the target or ideal audience, however.
As an Indigenous person, I have a very specific relationship with Christianity--it fucked my life over. My family members were victims of residential schools, our culture attempted to be completely stripped from us, forced into a culture we didn't want or fit into neatly. This book was not meant for somebody like me, who has an actual culture and people and is also an Atheist. This book was meant for (mostly white) people escaping their Christianity. The framing, the worldview, and the whole basis of the book rely on the reader being specifically traumatized by Christianity. I also wanted to briefly bring up, as well, the phenomenon that I've seen a few people discuss, wherein Atheists accidentally use the same tactics as Christians to try to "spread Atheism" in the same way that the book highlights how Christians approach Atheists about their lack of faith. The culture of Christianity and the people themselves are taken away. Still, these Atheists haven't unpacked their religion and successfully decolonized their understanding of it, so they continue to exhibit the same patterns as their predecessors. I'm not saying it applies here, necessarily, in all parts of the book, but I think I underlined a few sections at the beginning that seemed to teeter on that line.
Some parts of the book are good, informative, and probably something good for somebody who just found out yesterday that the Christian God doesn't exist. But on the whole, I found the book full of missed opportunities and glaring reminders of the lack of BIPOC representation in Atheist communities.
I also didn't like the framing of the book co-opting the LGBTQ+ movement, nor the use of the 1950s sounding "homosexual," which seemed like a blind thesaurus pick. When I say this is co-opting, I mean the whole book is talking about "coming out" to your peers and family as an Atheist. As someone who is also struggling to come out to their own family, this was frustrating because non-religious people can hide their lack of faith. They have that privilege. LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Atheists do not, however, have the ability to hide the things about themselves that make them targets in society. Unfortunately, this book does not seem to understand that, or at the very least, it doesn't seem to think it's important to mention.
I am trying not to be too harsh because I agree with this guy on some things. I mean, I AM an Atheist. But I felt like there were rash decisions on how to approach this conversation that holds it back for me. I just might not have been the target or ideal audience, however.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2021
Although I've been "out" as an atheist for years, I still really enjoy reading these coming out books to help me learn how to better talk to others and be a better representative in the community. The book covers everything from reckoning with your feelings about religion to discovering your beliefs or lack thereof, to explaining to friends, family, strangers, and creating that sense of community. Hi, I'm an Atheist! is absolutely a new essential must-read for those questioning, agnostic, or atheist.
5/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
5/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2021
This book doesn't try to convince you that there's no god, but it does give some great advice on how to talk to other people about your non-belief. Though written for an atheist audience, theists may find it interesting, as well!
February 9, 2023
Lots of atheist info and anecdotes, explains how to explain your non-sky daddy beliefs to others...if you give half a shit what other people think. It's like an atheists starter kit but, does contain info off you're looking for the like-minded. Really, just don't go to church and hang out with heathens and you'll be fine.
August 6, 2021
As someone who is wavering between being agnostic and an atheist, I'm glad this book exists. I agree with 90% of the author says, and it's comforting to know that other people feel the same way I do and can write about it effectively. I was raised in the religious South, smack dab in the middle of the Bible Belt. Would this book change these people's mind? More than likely not. Their beliefs are so ingrained into their DNA that it is almost impossible to remove it. However, I really liked and appreciated this book because it confirmed what I've been thinking and feeling for years. It's an excellent educational tool for those who want to know where I stand on things involving religion. Would it be a pleasant read for someone who is a devout believer in a God? No. But then, no book would. As insightful as this book is, the issue isn't with the book. It's with the people who read it. The academic tone of the book is perfect for me--I'm an English professor who's used to reading academic writings--but I know there are some people who won't like the way it's written.
All of this is to say that I absolutely loved the book. To identify with something so personal--about something so controversial--made for a refreshing read.
*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in change for an honest opinion and review.*
All of this is to say that I absolutely loved the book. To identify with something so personal--about something so controversial--made for a refreshing read.
*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in change for an honest opinion and review.*
April 17, 2021
I've been struggling with how to review David G. McAfee's "Hi, I'm an Atheist!: What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others," a sort of introductory glimpse into what it means to be an atheist and how to, essentially, "out" oneself in a way that is healthy and observing of self-care.
The first point to be made is likely to acknowledge that I am not McAfee's target audience for the book - I'm not an atheist and I'm not seeking to learn how to share that side of myself with others. It's pretty clear throughout "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" that McAfee is targeting his writing to like-minded individuals who've already done the work to determine themselves to be atheists even if, perhaps, they haven't decided to claim the "title" or they're in the infancy of what that means for daily life.
Now then, this opens the door to the possibility that I, perhaps, approached "Hi, I'm an Atheist" with an axe to grind and some sort of spirit-driven gleam in my eyes ready to rip it apart.
This is also not true. While I would likely identify as a Christian, though certainly on the more progressive end, I'm comfortable with atheism and have spent a good amount of my life in interfaith communities. I've never surrounded myself exclusively with like-minded individuals and as someone who is ordained have officiated weddings for atheists. I have many friends who are atheists and I embrace them for who they are.
After all, as McAfee points out repeatedly throughout "Hi, I'm an Atheist!," there are an awful lot of reasons to turn away from church and to turn away from belief in a God.
I get it. I really do.
Like McAfee, I grew up in a dysfunctional home made more dysfunctional by the presence of organized religion (in my case, I was raised a Jehovah's Witness). It was church I would eventually be kicked out of as a teenager - one of two occasions in which I was kicked out of churches.
My brother, who recently passed away, was an atheist. We were born 12 years apart and his birth was at the tail-end of my mother's journey with Jehovah's Witnesses. Our upbringing was different yet the same in many ways - yet, essentially, we decided on two different paths. It's compelling to look at the influences of birth, development, and upbringing.
Essentially, when I review a book I examine everything from writing to structure to narrative to "Does the author accomplish their goal for the book?" This goal may be stated, and certainly is here, but often is not. The narrative, however, should state it and typically does.
As a film journalist who critiques professionally, I take a rather serious approach to my reviews. It's also fairly basic:
A 5-star rating is reserved for that rare flawless literary experience. While I've become somewhat more lenient as I've begun reviewing arcs/galleys, I still hold the 5-star review to the highest standards.
A 4-star rating is a very good experience and likely my most common rating. A 3-star rating remains above average, though I have some reservations with the book. Generally speaking, I find value in the book and consider it above average but it's not likely a book I will revisit again.
A 2-star rating, as assigned here, is mostly a book I don't believe accomplishes its goals and that I didn't particularly enjoy reading. It's not a values-based review but one based in critical thought. As an example, though film-based, one of my best known reviews is an endorsement of the original "I Spit On Your Grave" film. I could easily say the actions in the film violate my values, but it's a film I consider to be incredibly well made for a variety of reasons. I believe the filmmaker accomplished, for the most part, his goals.
The 1-star review is, to me, a failing in writing and I book I simply will not recommend.
I bounced between 2 and 3-stars for "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" precisely because I do believe there's an audience for this book, though I question how much it will actually help or support them (as is part of the stated goal for the book). I'm deferring to 2-stars because, quite honestly, I think that McAfee falls short of his stated goals for the book and, at times, simply writes poorly. This may very well work itself out before the book's late 2021 release, but as someone who read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC), I have to review based upon what I received.
I wanted this book to succeed. McAfee correctly notes that atheism is massively understood, though the belief that many compare it with satanism is a tad histrionic.
Labeled as "the essential guide for the non-believer," "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" is a cutesie title and perhaps the friendliest thing about the entire book. It offers up a tone the book never delivers on.
In the book, McAfee notes that once he realized and accepted that he is an atheist he very intentionally set out to tell others about it - this is especially those who struggle with openly sharing their own atheism AND those who are devoutly religious.
"Hi, I'm an Atheist!" is somewhat successful at the former while a complete failure at the latter.
Beyond my reservations with co-opting the whole "coming out" phraseology (a poor and lazy literary choice), McAfee openly talks about a variety of issues he thinks relevant to the atheist who is preparing to tell the world and live openly. These conversations are hit-and-miss and most successful when McAfee incorporates both research and resources into the conversation. The book's final chapter includes a wealth of resources and is easily one of the book's highlights. The biggest concern I have is that a book like "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" should draw the reader closer to atheism. It should make the journey more compelling, more attractive, and by book's end I should easily be drawn into McAfee's life journey. Even if I don't agree with him, I should get it.
While McAfee regularly asserts being happy and well loved and having resolved early conflicts with his family, the truth is there's a negative tone that weaves its way through the tapestry of the book. It's in language usage and structure and, quite honestly, editing that feels unfinished. Again, I'm hoping this tone changes by the date of publication because right now I felt like I needed a shower after all this negativity. "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" is a relatively short read, but it's a book I had to regularly put down because of McAfee's exhausting negativity that was mostly passive-aggressive in its approach. Here's the thing - I actually believe McAfee - I just don't believe he's captured it well on the written page. While the book may provide some guidance for those who are atheist, there's nothing here that would draw someone to atheism. If someone on the fence was reading the book, I can't imagine them reading this book and going "Yep, that's the life for me."
In terms of conversations with the devoutly religious, despite his assertions otherwise McAfee regularly writes with a passive-aggressive hostility that is far from engaging and creates an environment where no one is going to listen. If this is the same attitude the professor he describes saw, it's no wonder she saw him as having an "axe to grind" and not appropriate for the program.
McAfee asserts throughout "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" that he has positive relationships with those believers and openly engages in dialogue but with the tone in the book it often feels like the conservative who exclaims "But, I have gay friends" or the racist who says "But I have Black friends." It feels oddly fundamentalist in tone. Again, this is a language and structure issue more than anything. He projects that atheists should not be feared, but essentially spends the entire book vacillating between hostility and defensiveness.
I was troubled by the fact that in discussing an experience with discrimination in the academic world that he chose to openly criticize and identify the university, who wrote a letter of apology for the experience as he requested, yet doesn't openly criticize or identify the professor involved. While I understand legal standards, it reinforces the hostile tone to openly identify an institution that made some gestures toward resolution. This story would have been more effective had he either chosen to not directly identify the institution (despite the fact it's fairly easy to figure out) and/or if he'd shared an attempt to try to resolve the concern. This strikes me, again, as a writing language issue as writers everyday are able to communicate difficult truths without violating confidentiality or crossing that legal line.
This leads to my biggest concern with the book - McAfee's atheism seems to depend entirely on Christianity/God rather than standing on its own. McAfee spends far too much of the book sharing why he's not a Christian rather than why he is an atheist. For someone who turned away from belief in god as a teenager, it seems like (or at least is written like) his entire life structure is more grounded on those negative experiences rather than positive experiences with atheism. Would McAfee's atheism exist without his early childhood experiences? For someone who openly writes that we're born atheist, I'm not convinced. McAfee has failed to cut his umbilical cord to atheism.
I'm anxious to read the final version of "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" because I'm anxious to see if my experience reading the book changes. There are other aspects of the book that I appreciate including his inclusion of an interview with Rebecca Vitsmun and the wealth of resources McAfee offers. There's a sincerity in his desire to let people know they need not go through these experiences alone and he backs up that desire quite nicely.
In the end, for me McAfee falls short in his stated goals and has crafted a book that feels incomplete and like a work-in-progress. There are some good ideas here, and certainly some needed ones, but "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" never gels into the book that McAfee wants it to be mostly, at least in my perception, because McAfee never gets out of his own way. A relatively short book, most will likely finish it in one day except for those who, like myself, grow weary of the negativity and need to set it aside from time to time.
I do reviews because I aspire to empowering authors and, indeed, I'd still say that despite the fact that "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" didn't work for me it still has an audience and here's hoping it continues to be tweaked and edited prior to publication and ends up being a book that lives up to McAfee's otherwise admirable goals for the book.
The first point to be made is likely to acknowledge that I am not McAfee's target audience for the book - I'm not an atheist and I'm not seeking to learn how to share that side of myself with others. It's pretty clear throughout "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" that McAfee is targeting his writing to like-minded individuals who've already done the work to determine themselves to be atheists even if, perhaps, they haven't decided to claim the "title" or they're in the infancy of what that means for daily life.
Now then, this opens the door to the possibility that I, perhaps, approached "Hi, I'm an Atheist" with an axe to grind and some sort of spirit-driven gleam in my eyes ready to rip it apart.
This is also not true. While I would likely identify as a Christian, though certainly on the more progressive end, I'm comfortable with atheism and have spent a good amount of my life in interfaith communities. I've never surrounded myself exclusively with like-minded individuals and as someone who is ordained have officiated weddings for atheists. I have many friends who are atheists and I embrace them for who they are.
After all, as McAfee points out repeatedly throughout "Hi, I'm an Atheist!," there are an awful lot of reasons to turn away from church and to turn away from belief in a God.
I get it. I really do.
Like McAfee, I grew up in a dysfunctional home made more dysfunctional by the presence of organized religion (in my case, I was raised a Jehovah's Witness). It was church I would eventually be kicked out of as a teenager - one of two occasions in which I was kicked out of churches.
My brother, who recently passed away, was an atheist. We were born 12 years apart and his birth was at the tail-end of my mother's journey with Jehovah's Witnesses. Our upbringing was different yet the same in many ways - yet, essentially, we decided on two different paths. It's compelling to look at the influences of birth, development, and upbringing.
Essentially, when I review a book I examine everything from writing to structure to narrative to "Does the author accomplish their goal for the book?" This goal may be stated, and certainly is here, but often is not. The narrative, however, should state it and typically does.
As a film journalist who critiques professionally, I take a rather serious approach to my reviews. It's also fairly basic:
A 5-star rating is reserved for that rare flawless literary experience. While I've become somewhat more lenient as I've begun reviewing arcs/galleys, I still hold the 5-star review to the highest standards.
A 4-star rating is a very good experience and likely my most common rating. A 3-star rating remains above average, though I have some reservations with the book. Generally speaking, I find value in the book and consider it above average but it's not likely a book I will revisit again.
A 2-star rating, as assigned here, is mostly a book I don't believe accomplishes its goals and that I didn't particularly enjoy reading. It's not a values-based review but one based in critical thought. As an example, though film-based, one of my best known reviews is an endorsement of the original "I Spit On Your Grave" film. I could easily say the actions in the film violate my values, but it's a film I consider to be incredibly well made for a variety of reasons. I believe the filmmaker accomplished, for the most part, his goals.
The 1-star review is, to me, a failing in writing and I book I simply will not recommend.
I bounced between 2 and 3-stars for "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" precisely because I do believe there's an audience for this book, though I question how much it will actually help or support them (as is part of the stated goal for the book). I'm deferring to 2-stars because, quite honestly, I think that McAfee falls short of his stated goals for the book and, at times, simply writes poorly. This may very well work itself out before the book's late 2021 release, but as someone who read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC), I have to review based upon what I received.
I wanted this book to succeed. McAfee correctly notes that atheism is massively understood, though the belief that many compare it with satanism is a tad histrionic.
Labeled as "the essential guide for the non-believer," "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" is a cutesie title and perhaps the friendliest thing about the entire book. It offers up a tone the book never delivers on.
In the book, McAfee notes that once he realized and accepted that he is an atheist he very intentionally set out to tell others about it - this is especially those who struggle with openly sharing their own atheism AND those who are devoutly religious.
"Hi, I'm an Atheist!" is somewhat successful at the former while a complete failure at the latter.
Beyond my reservations with co-opting the whole "coming out" phraseology (a poor and lazy literary choice), McAfee openly talks about a variety of issues he thinks relevant to the atheist who is preparing to tell the world and live openly. These conversations are hit-and-miss and most successful when McAfee incorporates both research and resources into the conversation. The book's final chapter includes a wealth of resources and is easily one of the book's highlights. The biggest concern I have is that a book like "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" should draw the reader closer to atheism. It should make the journey more compelling, more attractive, and by book's end I should easily be drawn into McAfee's life journey. Even if I don't agree with him, I should get it.
While McAfee regularly asserts being happy and well loved and having resolved early conflicts with his family, the truth is there's a negative tone that weaves its way through the tapestry of the book. It's in language usage and structure and, quite honestly, editing that feels unfinished. Again, I'm hoping this tone changes by the date of publication because right now I felt like I needed a shower after all this negativity. "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" is a relatively short read, but it's a book I had to regularly put down because of McAfee's exhausting negativity that was mostly passive-aggressive in its approach. Here's the thing - I actually believe McAfee - I just don't believe he's captured it well on the written page. While the book may provide some guidance for those who are atheist, there's nothing here that would draw someone to atheism. If someone on the fence was reading the book, I can't imagine them reading this book and going "Yep, that's the life for me."
In terms of conversations with the devoutly religious, despite his assertions otherwise McAfee regularly writes with a passive-aggressive hostility that is far from engaging and creates an environment where no one is going to listen. If this is the same attitude the professor he describes saw, it's no wonder she saw him as having an "axe to grind" and not appropriate for the program.
McAfee asserts throughout "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" that he has positive relationships with those believers and openly engages in dialogue but with the tone in the book it often feels like the conservative who exclaims "But, I have gay friends" or the racist who says "But I have Black friends." It feels oddly fundamentalist in tone. Again, this is a language and structure issue more than anything. He projects that atheists should not be feared, but essentially spends the entire book vacillating between hostility and defensiveness.
I was troubled by the fact that in discussing an experience with discrimination in the academic world that he chose to openly criticize and identify the university, who wrote a letter of apology for the experience as he requested, yet doesn't openly criticize or identify the professor involved. While I understand legal standards, it reinforces the hostile tone to openly identify an institution that made some gestures toward resolution. This story would have been more effective had he either chosen to not directly identify the institution (despite the fact it's fairly easy to figure out) and/or if he'd shared an attempt to try to resolve the concern. This strikes me, again, as a writing language issue as writers everyday are able to communicate difficult truths without violating confidentiality or crossing that legal line.
This leads to my biggest concern with the book - McAfee's atheism seems to depend entirely on Christianity/God rather than standing on its own. McAfee spends far too much of the book sharing why he's not a Christian rather than why he is an atheist. For someone who turned away from belief in god as a teenager, it seems like (or at least is written like) his entire life structure is more grounded on those negative experiences rather than positive experiences with atheism. Would McAfee's atheism exist without his early childhood experiences? For someone who openly writes that we're born atheist, I'm not convinced. McAfee has failed to cut his umbilical cord to atheism.
I'm anxious to read the final version of "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" because I'm anxious to see if my experience reading the book changes. There are other aspects of the book that I appreciate including his inclusion of an interview with Rebecca Vitsmun and the wealth of resources McAfee offers. There's a sincerity in his desire to let people know they need not go through these experiences alone and he backs up that desire quite nicely.
In the end, for me McAfee falls short in his stated goals and has crafted a book that feels incomplete and like a work-in-progress. There are some good ideas here, and certainly some needed ones, but "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" never gels into the book that McAfee wants it to be mostly, at least in my perception, because McAfee never gets out of his own way. A relatively short book, most will likely finish it in one day except for those who, like myself, grow weary of the negativity and need to set it aside from time to time.
I do reviews because I aspire to empowering authors and, indeed, I'd still say that despite the fact that "Hi, I'm an Atheist!" didn't work for me it still has an audience and here's hoping it continues to be tweaked and edited prior to publication and ends up being a book that lives up to McAfee's otherwise admirable goals for the book.
August 22, 2023
This book is a republish of McAfee's 2012 book, Mom, Dad, I'm an Atheist.
Republishing something under a new name is a common practice if the original book didn’t sell well. Perhaps instead of slapping a new name and cover on a decade-old book, McAfee would have seen better sales if he had written a better book to begin with.
Everything in Hi, I’m an Atheist! has been said a thousand times. You can find any advice on coming out atheist that you could possibly want online. It is only 132 pages long, but reading it was exhausting because of the double blow that was McAfee’s shoddy advice paired with his verbose writing.
I found myself proofreading McAfee’s sentences as I read: “One reason that a religious person might give for having issues with your de-conversion from religion to a more naturalistic understanding of the world is that [because] many religions propose themselves as the one unified source of an objective morality.” -> "A religious person might have issues with your deconversion because many religions propose themselves as the source of morality."
Read more: https://sheseeksnonfiction.blog/2023/...
Republishing something under a new name is a common practice if the original book didn’t sell well. Perhaps instead of slapping a new name and cover on a decade-old book, McAfee would have seen better sales if he had written a better book to begin with.
Everything in Hi, I’m an Atheist! has been said a thousand times. You can find any advice on coming out atheist that you could possibly want online. It is only 132 pages long, but reading it was exhausting because of the double blow that was McAfee’s shoddy advice paired with his verbose writing.
I found myself proofreading McAfee’s sentences as I read: “
Read more: https://sheseeksnonfiction.blog/2023/...
June 13, 2021
I really liked how each chapter starts with a quote, and the chapter on building or joining a community of like-minded people was interesting and helpful. All the chapters could be more concise, though - there's a lot of repetition and I found myself skimming a lot.
October 12, 2021
Hi, I'm an Atheist! is a look at what it means to be an atheist and how to "come out" to those around you.
What I liked:
-The points the author makes are 100% valid and important.
-The FAQ section does a great job of explaining the hard questions that can be tough to answer if you aren't prepared. The wording is simple but informative.
-The resources section is the whole reason why this was a book and not something shorter. It is a great way to begin looking for support and a community.
What I didn't like:
-Other than the two sections listed above, this book was extremely repetitive. I hate to say it, but it was along the lines of "a meeting that could have been an email." I ended up skimming quite a bit of it because the same ideas were presented in the same way multiple times.
-While I understand why the "coming out" comparison was used throughout the book, it really isn't the same. Ultimately everyone chooses their own beliefs or religion. Sexuality and gender are not chosen. I feel like this may simplify and cheapen what the LGBTQ+ community has to face.
Overall I would recommend this book only to those who are already atheists or are leaning in that direction. In my opinion the resources and FAQ sections alone are the most important parts.
3.5 Stars
What I liked:
-The points the author makes are 100% valid and important.
-The FAQ section does a great job of explaining the hard questions that can be tough to answer if you aren't prepared. The wording is simple but informative.
-The resources section is the whole reason why this was a book and not something shorter. It is a great way to begin looking for support and a community.
What I didn't like:
-Other than the two sections listed above, this book was extremely repetitive. I hate to say it, but it was along the lines of "a meeting that could have been an email." I ended up skimming quite a bit of it because the same ideas were presented in the same way multiple times.
-While I understand why the "coming out" comparison was used throughout the book, it really isn't the same. Ultimately everyone chooses their own beliefs or religion. Sexuality and gender are not chosen. I feel like this may simplify and cheapen what the LGBTQ+ community has to face.
Overall I would recommend this book only to those who are already atheists or are leaning in that direction. In my opinion the resources and FAQ sections alone are the most important parts.
3.5 Stars
October 27, 2021
Not long ago I decided that although I am an Atheist, I hate reading books on Atheism. I mean, how are their even so many books on a topic about not believing in a thing. Like, I don’t believe and that’s that. So many just beat the same horse of talking about religion anyways. Why put so much effort into talking about what you don’t believe, I decided. They all seem so mad anyway.
This book was definitely different and completely refreshing. I won it in a Goodreads giveaway. I’ve been connected with David through social media for several years now. I like him, he really seems like a guy worth having a conversation with, especially about Atheism.
Hi, I’m and Atheist was a very well written and thought out guidebook for those of us raised in and surrounded by religion. We can’t all just flat out call our family and friends indoctrinated fools and go no contact, we need to be able to be honest about who we really are and what we believe and don’t believe. This book not only guides us to maintain those relationships, but even embrace the differences.
Lots of books only focus on why we don’t believe and how ridiculous people are who do. They almost encourage division, which is why I no longer want to read those books. I feel like this book was more supportive of how to be different while remaining connected.
Hands down, the best Atheism book I’ve ever read.
This book was definitely different and completely refreshing. I won it in a Goodreads giveaway. I’ve been connected with David through social media for several years now. I like him, he really seems like a guy worth having a conversation with, especially about Atheism.
Hi, I’m and Atheist was a very well written and thought out guidebook for those of us raised in and surrounded by religion. We can’t all just flat out call our family and friends indoctrinated fools and go no contact, we need to be able to be honest about who we really are and what we believe and don’t believe. This book not only guides us to maintain those relationships, but even embrace the differences.
Lots of books only focus on why we don’t believe and how ridiculous people are who do. They almost encourage division, which is why I no longer want to read those books. I feel like this book was more supportive of how to be different while remaining connected.
Hands down, the best Atheism book I’ve ever read.
April 25, 2022
Some Goodreads readers give this book a low rating because it's not what they wanted it to be, which is a book they can give family and friends to explain why they are an atheist. The author more or less states pretty clearly that that's not what this book is. This book will help give atheists fuel for "coming out" to others. Some readers don't like the "coming out" comparison, but as a gay man and an atheist, I think it's a pretty apt metaphor, even if some of the woke don't like it. In fact, the author does explicitly set up a comparison in the sense that, for him, atheism wasn't a choice any more that being gay is a choice. I felt the same way when I decided I was a non-believer. To quote McAfee, "I've spent most of my life trying to figure out why people believe what they do."
Having said that, I do wish this book wasn't quite so repetitive. The title and book cover both do seem to promise a sunny, happy and possibly humorous reading experience, but that's not the case. Parts of it are quite skimmable, and the writing is serviceable, if not particularly graceful or "literary." But I'm not sorry I read it.
Having said that, I do wish this book wasn't quite so repetitive. The title and book cover both do seem to promise a sunny, happy and possibly humorous reading experience, but that's not the case. Parts of it are quite skimmable, and the writing is serviceable, if not particularly graceful or "literary." But I'm not sorry I read it.
September 20, 2021
Arrogant. Patronizing. Extremely low EQ. This is basically a poorly crafted, circular reasoning of the weakest arguments for atheism. He’s clearly projecting the hurts of his own experience onto anyone who believes in God. I was hoping for a thoughtful, winsome way to find common ground. Disappointing.
April 11, 2023
Not at all a memoir, it's a guide and it's perfect. It felt like a pamphlet you would find in a fictional dr office.
March 25, 2025
This is a really well-written and easy to follow book. I really enjoyed it.
August 2, 2022
It was interesting to read an account of someone who was always an atheist rather than a religious person that deconverted. Even though he went to church and was influenced heavily by family and community, he had the ability to question and reflect on the religious information he was given. He didn’t believe it. I think that’s great!
I appreciate that the author encourages honesty and not hiding aspects of identity to include atheism. I’m not sure he can understand the difficulty in being open with others and the tremendous fear someone could have. In general I’m not an open person about myself, however I have committed to being honest if someone asks.
A new atheist or recently deconverted person will greatly benefit from all of the resources presented.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator is Rich Miller. This is the second audiobook I’ve listened to with him as the narrator. Overall, he’s okay as a narrator, but sometimes it seems like I could easily mistake the narrator as being a computer or AI.
I appreciate that the author encourages honesty and not hiding aspects of identity to include atheism. I’m not sure he can understand the difficulty in being open with others and the tremendous fear someone could have. In general I’m not an open person about myself, however I have committed to being honest if someone asks.
A new atheist or recently deconverted person will greatly benefit from all of the resources presented.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator is Rich Miller. This is the second audiobook I’ve listened to with him as the narrator. Overall, he’s okay as a narrator, but sometimes it seems like I could easily mistake the narrator as being a computer or AI.
January 23, 2022
Finally, a book on atheism that doesn’t just tell me how wrong religious faith is compared to science. There are non-believers and those with alternative beliefs (alternative to Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) who don’t want to make a fight with others. Having a belief is a basic part of human existence and respecting the ones that don’t cause harm to others is civil. Forcing others to see or follow another belief has been the root of the cultural problems for centuries.
Outside of my rant, I appreciate how the author took the time to recognize how he came to his conclusions and the advice he offers to others who may be in the same boat.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Outside of my rant, I appreciate how the author took the time to recognize how he came to his conclusions and the advice he offers to others who may be in the same boat.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2022
I was excited to read this book as it appeared to be a fun and entertaining look at discussing atheism. I wouldn't call it fun or entertaining, and at times many of his arguments were very shallow.
He seemed predominantly concerned with being able to put off criticism from Christians, and I found his grasp of Christianity was quite shallow despite his higher education in religion. As a former Christian for many decades, his arguments would not have convinced me whatsoever back when I believed.
This is not a book I would recommend to anyone who has recently left her face or never had a faith in a religion, other than for the extensive list at the end of the book of resources of communities out there for the atheist community.
He seemed predominantly concerned with being able to put off criticism from Christians, and I found his grasp of Christianity was quite shallow despite his higher education in religion. As a former Christian for many decades, his arguments would not have convinced me whatsoever back when I believed.
This is not a book I would recommend to anyone who has recently left her face or never had a faith in a religion, other than for the extensive list at the end of the book of resources of communities out there for the atheist community.
June 20, 2025
i judged a book by it's cover- i loved how bright and fun it looked with such a bold title. it was nice, nothing crazy. i was hoping it was a more digestable, less dense book than those of the four horsemen but it was ehhh. i'm not sure what i wanted it to be or say, but it was just about how to navigate telling people you don't believe anymore. it was cool and the reasonings and stuff were insightful. i didn't appreciate the comparison to coming out as gay, like what bro it's different. i get it's a big identity thing, but sexuality and being open about that is a different plane than leaving a faith. idk, it was a comparison that had minimal intersecting "coming out" points. but it's a fun book to add to my shelf and reassuring on what those inital conversations are like lol
July 26, 2021
This book wasn't what I expected. It is not designed to talk you into being an atheist, it is not meant to help you answer questions about God(s) and whether or not they exist. Instead, it serves as a reassuring voice urging atheists to speak up and "come out" as atheists. It offers some basic guidance to that end, and presents a nice appendix of resources.
There wasn't much "new" info here, but the resources will be especially helpful. My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
There wasn't much "new" info here, but the resources will be especially helpful. My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
November 30, 2021
I wanna start with the fact that I’m not an atheist.
Far from it in fact. What are your friends and family that are and I wanna respect them so I decided to pick up this book and see what happened
This is much more of an introspective of how atheism is treated in American culture more than anything
Interesting but also boring appoints
Thank you than that galley for sending this with you copy Thank you than that galley for sending this with you copy
As always this My own opinion
Far from it in fact. What are your friends and family that are and I wanna respect them so I decided to pick up this book and see what happened
This is much more of an introspective of how atheism is treated in American culture more than anything
Interesting but also boring appoints
Thank you than that galley for sending this with you copy Thank you than that galley for sending this with you copy
As always this My own opinion
December 19, 2023
Quite the pleasant read!
A crash course in what it means to be an atheist in a religiously saturated nation. McAfee's recounting of his own personal experiences provides a glimpse into what "coming out" as an atheist entails and how to approach it wisely.
An invaluable resource for anyone who is a closet atheist and wants to be open about their non belief. Or, just a really good read for anyone who is curious about atheists and what they go through when revealing their lack/loss of faith to the people closest to them.
A crash course in what it means to be an atheist in a religiously saturated nation. McAfee's recounting of his own personal experiences provides a glimpse into what "coming out" as an atheist entails and how to approach it wisely.
An invaluable resource for anyone who is a closet atheist and wants to be open about their non belief. Or, just a really good read for anyone who is curious about atheists and what they go through when revealing their lack/loss of faith to the people closest to them.
November 5, 2021
David McAfee writes another hit, trying to build bridges between believers and non-believers. An extension of his earlier work “Mom, Dad, I’m an Atheist,” McAfee answers questions for, not only curious theists, but atheists who may have newly accepted their philosophical positions and want to know if it will all be okay. A great read for people curious about lacking belief, and resources to support them.
January 11, 2022
This was a pretty succinct and comprehensive book by McAfee. I found it kind of dry and not particularly original, but the ideas and directions are well laid out. I think this book would be great for someone who is new to atheism or who has not been open about their beliefs. I haven’t been in that boat for quite a while, so it was a lot of stuff that I’ve already been through. However, I give McAfee a lot of credit for publishing this. I think it’s something that the growing community needed.
January 17, 2022
This short book is full of useful information for anyone who has atheist beliefs. I especially enjoyed the FAQ chapter, and believe it would be very helpful for anyone who has trouble clearly expressing their reasons for atheism to others. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Essentials for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 19, 2022
I am an atheist and a few years back I was delighted when I discovered the first David’s books, now reading this book was exhausting.
I don’t think it serves its purpose, instead it is a mix of his older books, other’s ideas with a FAQ he might as well published in this Facebook page.
I would not recommend this reading to someone trying to “come out” to his close ones.
I don’t think it serves its purpose, instead it is a mix of his older books, other’s ideas with a FAQ he might as well published in this Facebook page.
I would not recommend this reading to someone trying to “come out” to his close ones.
April 28, 2024
There is plenty of useful information within this book. It matters not if you are recently deconverted, never indoctrinated, or been outside the grasp of the religious paradigm for years.
I like that it does not take an aggressive stance towards those of faith. It merely presents arguments and provides support for any interested party.
I like that it does not take an aggressive stance towards those of faith. It merely presents arguments and provides support for any interested party.
October 29, 2022
a bit repetitive and condescending. the title seems to suggest an approachable conversation on atheism, but it feels more like a book on what is wrong with religion than being open about not believing in a deity.
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