The Reason Revolution: Atheism, Secular Humanism, and the Collapse of Religion

by Dan Dana

This short book, only 8,000 finely crafted words, is destined to be one of the most cited and influential modern treatises on atheism and secular humanism. It focuses squarely on the inherent irrationality of religion, and reveals its utter irreconcilability with science. Offering several "reconciliation theories" to people of faith, it forces every reader to make a choice.


Contents: The Reason Revolution in historical context, Questioning belief, Reasons for skepticism, Secular humanism as an alternative worldview, Political implications of atheism, The collapse of religion, Hopeful predictions, Reconciliation theories, Comments by clergy, Call to action

Genres: Atheism, Nonfiction, Religion, Science, Philosophy

ebook

First published July 2, 2014

About the author

Dan Dana is retired from a career that encompassed psychology, teaching, mediation, corporate training, and business entrepreneurship. He is the author of three books on workplace mediation and several conflict resolution curricula. Born in 1945 to a Protestant family in rural Missouri, his life experiences include:
• Serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam (noncombat) and Panama Canal Zone (1966-1968);
• Earning a PhD in counseling psychology (1977);
• Teaching at a New England university for 28 years, and guest-lecturing at educational institutions on six continents;
• Founding in 1985 and growing a successful Internet-based educational enterprise (endowed to a Florida college in 2013);
• Being a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives (1998);
• Living, working, and traveling in over 75 countries on seven continents.

Dan and his wife, Susan, live in Sarasota, Florida. He is the father of one and grandfather of two. He has been an atheist for over 50 years. Dan can be reached at atheism@dandana.us

Reviews

[Dan Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I applaud Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Darrel Ray, and other atheist authors for their excellent contributions to what I call the Reason Revolution. My small book, only a 30-minute read, is intended for people who may not have the time or interest to undertake a multi-hundred-page book on atheism. It concisely poses nine science-based “reasons for skepticism” to stimulate readers’ thinking about the plausibility of their beliefs, and offers several “reconciliation theories” to help doubters attempt to bridge the gap between faith and fact. I hope it prompts every attentive reader to make a choice between empirically known reality and supernaturalism.

To the extent that I am an “activist” atheist, it is because I care about the wellbeing of people and am convinced that a life free of religion is more enjoyable and meaningful than one burdened by the confusing falsehoods of religious belief. I hope "The Reason Revolution" makes a positive difference for individuals who find meaning in the book, and perhaps makes some small contribution toward improvement of the collective human condition.

[Darrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Religious people may not read Dawkins, Harris or Hitchens, but they might read Dana. His nine 'reasons for skepticism' are an excellent basis for discussions with religious friends, especially Reason #4: The Accidental Human Population.

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special

I'm not religious, but I would not recommend this book for anyone. I did not find these essays overly helpful, enlightening, or respectable. There are better and more objective resources. I would ask anyone reading this book to have no expectations about it and to do much more reading than just this.

[Gary Sudeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

One man's crusade to inflict his utopia onto others

I believe every person of faith should read a book of this nature. Not to "open your mind" or to "challenge you to serve your God more faithfully", but to wake you up to the notion that the best thing you can do for humanity is to leave your neighbor, and everyone else, alone. I neither doubt, nor question, the author's earnestness and goodwill. But his utopian notion that secular humanism is the answer to man's ill will toward one another disregards the nature of man and the masses need for leaders: a quality of leader that is found no where in nature to lead, let alone govern, and protect the innocent from the predators.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put away your cognitive biases and open your mind!

A very compelling, engaging book that touches on the most important issues facing humanity today in politics and foreign policy with regard to human secularism. This book talks about how human secularism is based on rational thought free of religious cognitive biasing and how the aforementioned issues would be better decided by scientifically-literate, sane politicians.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Propelling

This is one of 3 treatises I greatly respect, and it is the best argument I've heard for secular humanism as an alternative world view to religious philosophies.

[Doug Pahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on reason

Dan Dana is an excellent writer on reason. I recommend this book for those who have an open mind. Thank you.

[John King]

Just the facts.

Excellent presentation of the simple truth. Religion makes people stupid. This is the road away from stupidity. It's an easy walk.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief but accurate view of truth.

There is nothing revolutionary here for either the rationalist or the religious. Both know these truths to be self evident. Only one admits it.

[Anita Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good points

[TERRY FRIEDMAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provacative

Great read if you are open minded. What are your feelings about religion? Do you see a conflict between religious doctrine and science?

[Davidcharlesbowmangmail.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's churlish to slate a free book which is, after all, entertaining and may do some good. But to invite sub-300 word responses is to disparage them in advance. If this is to prompt a serious discussion Dana must expect serious responses, but I don't imagine there'll be very many.

I agree that, despite Swift's warning that you can't reason someone out of a position they weren't reasoned into, it's worth trying, but this book won't do it. For one thing, the tired old contention that we're all atheists by denying the existence of at least one god - Thor, for example - is both unconvincing and irrelevant. What all genuine (and non-pantheist) theists hold in common is the existence of the supernatural. And while they may be mistaken it doesn't mean they're all irrational.

[Mark Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this 36 page short book which offered reason and science as an alternative to faith based reasoning. It was told with tolerance, respect and understanding for all beliefs. It was refreshing to read a treatment of religion by a non-theist which did not portray believers in religion to just be wrong, deluded, and misguided. Most humanists, agnostics, and atheists would agree with this author.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evidence of human rationality is sadly lacking.

To suppose we'll abandon our irrationality is irrational.

Why a word count on a review? That makes no sense at all.

[David Chapman]

An interesting and thought provoking books. It is quite short and well worth reading.

I would recommend this to anyone.

[Graeme Nixon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Naive atheistic views

Higher RMPS pupil could make a better fist of this. Religion,supernatural or not, will persist for as long as we need to be held.

[Paul Bowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic and wildly optimistic. Though I can forgive the optimism as this was written in 2014. I don't think anyone could've predicted the wilful and self-harming stupidity of those voting for Brexit and Trump. I too, was optimistic for our species in 2014.

But as a primer in why gods are unlikely and why science offers the most likely explanations, this short publication works quite well.

[Fostergrants]

Overly optimistic.