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Book Update

I've finished chapter 9 of my book, which is titled "Stardust" and concerns how we should handle death from an atheist viewpoint. As in the past, I'm making this chapter available to regular commenters on this site for editorial review and critique. If you fit that description and would like to review it, please let me know.

We're moving into the home stretch now! I have one more chapter tentatively planned, then an afterword. I'm soon going to begin work on pulling together a draft of the whole book, cleaning up and editing the text and ironing out the footnotes. I'll post updates on my progress as it happens.

18 Comments

Count me in!

Comment #1 by: Petrucio | March 22, 2008, 12:21 pm

The bad news- you die. Sorry about that. Try to make the most out of your life. You can try living on through your work, your children or your ideals. Still, most people want to live on by not dying. Unfortunately, no one can give you that- the only bright side is you don't have to worry about living too long.

Hey, if life way all light and good, do you think it would be interesting?

Comment #2 by: Samuel Skinner | March 22, 2008, 1:37 pm

Well, I was gone for a couple of years, so I don't know if you'll consider me a regular commenter. If so, I'd like to take a look. Either way, I'll definitely be getting a copy when it's published.

Comment #3 by: mikespeir | March 22, 2008, 4:42 pm

Do you have an agent?

Congratulations - writing a book is a long tedious process. I'll bet there were more than a few times when you just looked at the computer screen, unable to put a thought into writing, then again, there were probably a few times when you didn't want to stop.

I sincerely wish you the best

Comment #4 by: dutch | March 22, 2008, 5:38 pm

*raises hand*

Comment #5 by: Alex Weaver | March 22, 2008, 7:25 pm

I'd really like to read this :-). Please count me in.

Comment #6 by: Lynet | March 22, 2008, 7:42 pm

I wish you would address the term "God." What is it supposed to be? I'll bet most theists initially think it is some sort of human being, presence, or man in the sky (up there, hovering about, by my side, in the clouds). The older theists are embarrassed at this tooth fairy idea, so they say it is a spirit (invisible but whose "presence" is felt, but at the end still a man or person). They say they have a "personal relationship" with God aka Jesus, thus it always boils down to a person of sorts. There's the "Holy Spirit" also invisible but felt. But pinning them down just brings on evasion and more terms (creator, transcendent, ground of all being, sustainer), the theist ultimately failing to precisely define and provide evidence as to WHAT the God is supposed to BE (not what it DOES).

In other words what is the container, the placeholder, the vessel and the entity that is supposed to BE omniscient, omnipotent (omnimax), the creator, the eternal and a couple of dozen more adjectives? I would appreciate your views on what the "God" is supposed to BE (look into a telescope -- where is IT?) If theists can't adequately say what it IS, then what is the doubter supposed to believe in, be persuaded by? I think these thoughts are subsumed under the term "noncognitivism." Is there a place in your book for such a discussion?

Comment #7 by: John Nernoff | March 22, 2008, 10:11 pm

That chapter title makes it sound even more interesting than describing the topic itself. I so want to read this book. Sadly, this is my first comment.

Comment #8 by: Chris | March 23, 2008, 2:14 am

I'd love to check it out if you'd permit me.

Kevin

Comment #9 by: Kevin Morgan | March 23, 2008, 9:17 am

Mr. Nernoff,

The book is written by an atheist. For an atheist to write about a "God" that he believes doesn't exist seems ludicrous. All he can hope to do is write about theists and their behaviors as his proof of God's nonexistence; add to that, he can write about certain phrases in the Bible that apparently don't add up to his perception of what a non existant God would be like. All the discussions in the world will not change much of anything. Some atheists become theists, some theists become atheists and so life goes on.

To Ebonmuse,
you might find the most recent articles on The Economist.com rather interesting. It has some thought as to why religion is so prevalent, and the evolutionary advantages and disadvatges of religion, as well as the latest research on the human brain and religion. Although your boook is nearly complete, you might find a few things to insert during your rewrites.

Comment #10 by: dutch | March 23, 2008, 10:53 am

I am no expert no expert on death but hope your chapter considers that in the extreem - time began at the big bang - 13 billion years ago, or alternately at some poind poorly defined during the formation of the earth - 4.5 billion years ago. I am 55 which regardless of which starting point chosen lies in the margin of error. I have been dead for most of time with only a brief period of life at the end of which death will last for the rest of time. Death is the default for every living thing. As I remember my previous death, time went quickly with no discomfort. I feel comfortable that I can look forward to my future death as being a similar experience - certainly nothing to fear. Perhaps Life is reward for having a good and moral prior death - religion revesed? Regardless our short time alive is ample reason to ensure your time is well used and enjoyed to the fullest - not wasted waiting for a better time while dead.

Comment #11 by: Dennis | March 23, 2008, 11:42 am

Count me in!

Comment #12 by: jack | March 23, 2008, 12:58 pm

I just got through a quick read-through of your chapter. I like it a lot--quite in the style we're accustomed to seeing in your writing. I intend to go over it more carefully later.

It appears you're trying to focus more on presenting a positive outlook on death from an atheist's perspective than in pointing out the arrogance of the theist's. Still, I really like something Judith Hayes wrote in her essay "Where Were You Before You Were You?" (http://www.thehappyheretic.com/10-97.htm):

"And our egos make no bones about it. They speak quite clearly on the subject. "Now that I'm here," we tell ourselves, "the world is an important place. And not only that, but I can see no possible way for the universe to continue without me in it. So, though I am smart enough to understand that I must die some day, that doesn't necessarily mean that I must end. I'm too important to just end." And the rest, as they say, is religious history."

That says it more succinctly than anything I've ever contrived.

Comment #13 by: mikespeir | March 23, 2008, 8:24 pm

Durch writes: The book is written by an atheist. For an atheist to write about a "God" that he believes doesn't exist seems ludicrous. All he can hope to do is write about theists and their behaviors as his proof of God's nonexistence; add to that, he can write about certain phrases in the Bible....

N: It would be interesting to see what E says about it. Exactly what does he believe doesn't exist. He certainly can write about theists, but there is much more; for starters there is positive atheism and negative atheism (see Michael Martin's book). In addition to the Bible there is the Koran and other "Holy books."

Comment #14 by: John Nernoff | March 23, 2008, 8:24 pm

I just found your site this weekend so I don't have a history here but I would be more than happy to volunteer myself and my roommate (who's a writer) to help you however we can.

Comment #15 by: Mike | March 23, 2008, 10:52 pm

Kindly send me the link to the draft of this chapter.

Comment #16 by: Prof.V.N.K.Kumar (India) | March 24, 2008, 7:47 am

Congratulations on the great progress you are making, Ebon! I realize that the amount of work you have put in on this project is much, much greater than my patience waiting for a modern, eloquently written book for and about atheists and their worldview.

PS. don't worry about sending me a copy. I won't have the time to devote to it sufficiently. I just wanted to lend my support to your efforts. They are truly appreciated.

Comment #17 by: stillwaters | March 25, 2008, 10:37 am

I would like to read the chapter, if the window is still open for sending. Always enjoy reading your work.

Comment #18 by: Callandor | March 25, 2008, 3:22 pm