A personal search for meaning: "The Young Atheist's Handbook" by Alom Shaha

[franceslievens]

Though it has been argued that an atheist doesn't need a companion, The Young Atheist's Handbook by Alom Shaha might be just another gospel*, preaching to an assembly of non-believers. The author is more ambitious, and hopes to be a humble guide to those searching for a meaningful life, be it filled with religion or in a godless world.
The best guide one can be, is through example. Alom Shaha fills the pages with his own search for meaning, from a poor immigrant family where he was raised a Muslim, to his current atheist activism. Most of the book tells a very personal story, which can easily be seen as a weakness. Isn't this what we read everyday on blogs, but then with pictures? Instead of pictures Alom Shaha interlaces his text with quotes from philosophers. Epicurus, Plato, Nietzsche are mentioned. The author builds his arguments around facts taken from scientific studies. This way he can turn the weakness of his book into a strength.

The Young Atheist's Handbook says it on its title page: "Lessons for living a good life without God". It's a book that primarily reaches out to adolescents who could be the author's own students. Within a very personal story readers can find lots of food for thought. The handbook isn't one that says you what to do, but how to do it. It serves as that wonderful teacher who nudges you in the right direction on the path to become a good person living a good life. Most important every child should be able to choose that life for herself through critical thinking. (The author tends to be a bit preachy when he drives that point home**.)
Using his own personal history to lure his readers in, Alom Shaha has outed himself as a sneaky teacher who knows the tricks of the trade. In a world where teachers of religious education, various world view courses or philosophy classes can work with a ton of material on religion, The Young Atheist's Handbook is (excuse the pun) a godsend. It should be required reading for students since it provides a straightforward account of what it means to be an atheist. And that's rather unique.

For the young atheist, it's a compelling read that makes her crave for more. For the old one, who followed a similar track to atheism***, it's an impulse to deeper thought and a welcome break from "New Atheism".

*The gospel mentioned here can now be found as a download at Anne Provoost's website. (pdf in Dutch)
**Strangely he does it in my voice.
***That would be me. Since I have some more thoughts on different aspects of the book, which didn't fit into a review, I'll reserve those for another post.

Comments

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, this is not the kind of book that I would read – I think that the idea itself is a bit weird but it might be because atheism has always seemed to be a natural and obvious path for me (I know, I know, I tend to question and overanalyze everything, but my being godless isn't one of them)– but I see how it's interesting for you, the morality teacher who works among religion teachers.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Well, I had a Catholic upbringing, so atheism wasn't that natural to me, until I realised that I've never been a good Catholic. In all her wisdom my mother must have thought that simply going to church every Sunday was enough to raise Catholic children.

I don't like preaching atheism either, but in a way I'm a professional atheist. For me this book is indeed great material to show my colleagues and pupils what humanism and atheism are all about – without using rather hostile texts.

I hope my girls will consider their atheism as natural as yours, maybe questioning it for a second, and then moving on. I've got several pupils saying just that when we talk about religion: of course we don't believe in God. The Muslims are another case, though. They don't practice their faith and don't go to Arabic school, because it's boring, but still say they believe in God, because it's custom. They might learn something from this book.

[comava.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your review, I will certainly add this to my summer reading list!

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[lijability.livejournal.com]

Another book you may wish to read:

http://www.spiritualatheist.com/wayofwisdom.htm

A few years ago this fellow and I commiserated on the idea of spiritual atheism. I consider myself to be a spiritual atheist. As I define spirituality there is no contradiction (spirituality as the sum of one's emotions or wonder). I consider man to be a spiritual animal, thus a normal makeup of his psyche. It is in the interpretation of those experiences that mistakes are made.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Atheism does leave room for spiritualism. There are even people calling themselves religious atheists. I guess that's a bit like your spiritual atheism. Of course there is spirituality in everyone. It's part of our quest for meaning.