The Atheist Chronicles
By Paul Lima
()
About this ebook
The Atheist Chronicles: Why the Beliefs of Theists of Every Stripe Are So Unbelievable
I would like to thank Ricky Gervais and the late George Carlin, two funny atheists, for their inspiration and motivation. I recently saw Carlin address religion in one of his comedy specials. He was both funny and profound. And I saw Gervais in an interview in which he talked about atheism, religion and comedy. Their words helped me decide that it was time to write this book, a book that is for everybody -- atheists, agnostics and believers of every faith.
Agnostics, if you struggling with you doubts, read this book and struggle no more. You will be able to happily move into the big atheist tent. Atheists, you know that god, the Bible (and all holy books) and all religions are myths. Now here is a book that puts your thoughts into words using logic, research, the words of believers and even humour. And hey, if you are currently a believer and if you are still a believer after reading this book, then you have demonstrated to yourself that your faith is strong. Ridiculous. But strong.
The fact that my father, a man who could out fundamentalist any fundamentalist Christian out there, has passed away has also helped me write this book, I must confess. It's not that I couldn't write the book with him alive. It's just that with my dad deceased I don't have to listen to him point out all the ways that I am wrong -- other than when I say other believers who are not Pentecostals (the fundamentalist Christian sect to which my dad belonged) are misguided in their beliefs.
That thinking, shared by just about every religious sect out there -- "You're wrong!" "No, you're wrong!" "No, you are both wrong!" -- is at the heart of The Atheist Chronicles. Because no matter your faith, you are all wrong -- each and every one of you. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. And this book will tell you exactly why.
Written by successful freelance writer, author, and writing instructor Paul Lima, The Atheist Chronicles is a serious look at a subject that has caused more people more pain than just about any other issue -- other than intense poverty, hunger and starvation, and wars (often fought in the names of competing gods).
Read more from Paul Lima
Copywriting That Works! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFundamentals of Writing: How to Write Articles, Media Releases, Case Studies, Blog Posts and Social Media Content Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write Anything: The Format Of What You Write May Change But The Process Of Writing Anything Remains The Same Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Sales Letters and Email Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Clustering & Chunking: How To Figure Out What You Want To Do. And How To Get It Done. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTell Your Story: How to Write Memoirs and Autobiographies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write Web Copy And Social Media Content: Spruce Up Your Website Copy, Blog Posts And Social Media Content Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnblock Writer’s Block: How to Face It, Deal With It and Overcome It Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Winning Resumes and Cover Letters and Ace Job Interviews Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEverything You Wanted To Know About Freelance Writing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAre You Ready for Your Interview? How to Prepare for Media Interviews Includes Special Sections on Social Media Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGeri: A Post-Pandemic LGBTQ+ Novel About Something Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSay It Right: How to Write Speeches and Presentations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Accidental Writer: A Memoir Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProduce, Price and Promote Your Self-Published Fiction or Non-fiction Book and e-Book Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Web Copy and Social Media Content Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHarness the Business Writing Process Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRebel in the Back Seat Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Atheist Chronicles
Related ebooks
Harness the Business Writing Process Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwitter For Dummies Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5How to Make a Book Cover Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Larger Education Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetter to My Christian Family and Friends: Living Without God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBetter Than a Turkish Prison: What I Learned From Life in a Religious Cult Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Promise of Despair: The Way of the Cross as the Way of the Church Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not for Nothing: Searching for a Meaningful Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Existential God Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The Curious Evolution Of Christianity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDisbelief 101: A Young Person's Guide to Atheism Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why I'm Catholic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Atheism? A Personal Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Holy Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fun of Loving Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSetting God Free: Moving Beyond the Caricature We've Created in Our Own Image Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristian Atheist: Belonging without Believing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You, Too, Can Become a Christian: (and a Social Conservative-or Not!) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Homebrewed Christianity Guide to Jesus: Lord, Liar, Lunatic, Or Awesome? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Religion, Language, Narrative and the Search for Meaning Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFaith and Reason: Disturbing Christian Doctrines Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristian Philosophy: Understanding Racial Oppression Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Mind Of Illusion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat is the Point of Being a Christian? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Big Beliefs in Small Bites: The Pilgrim’S Projects Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Atheist Sampler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Concise History of Christian Doctrine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What Is The True Religion? Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Where We Find Ourselves: Portrait of a Modern Infidel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Body, Mind, & Spirit For You
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Think and Grow Rich (Illustrated Edition): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret History of the World Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from the Power of Now Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mediocre Monk: A Stumbling Search for Answers in a Forest Monastery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Hidden Messages in Water Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom (Hardcover Gift Edition): A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Starts with Self-Compassion: A Practical Road Map Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Game of Life And How To Play It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Here Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Course in Miracles: Text, Workbook for Students, Manual for Teachers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Linda Goodman's Love Signs: A New Approach to the Human Heart Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of Your Subconscious Mind Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Energy Codes: The 7-Step System to Awaken Your Spirit, Heal Your Body, and Live Your Best Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Game of Life and How to Play It: The Complete Original Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5ATOMIC HABITS:: How to Disagree With Your Brain so You Can Break Bad Habits and End Negative Thinking Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Complete Papyrus of Ani Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shadow Work: Face Hidden Fears, Heal Trauma, Awaken Your Dream Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Feeding the Soul (Because It's My Business): Finding Our Way to Joy, Love, and Freedom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Warrior Goddess Training: Become the Woman You Are Meant to Be Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret Language of Your Body: The Essential Guide to Health and Wellness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Becoming the One: Heal Your Past, Transform Your Relationship Patterns, and Come Home to Yourself Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Atheist Chronicles
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Atheist Chronicles - Paul Lima
Dedicated to my father, John Lima, sadly deceased, who could out-fundamentalist any fundamentalist. I'm sure he'd say I was going to burn in Hell for writing this book. But that's okay. I loved him in spite of what he believed, and I know he loved me in spite of what I didn't.
Contents
1 / Introduction
2 / In The Beginning
3 / Number of gods
3 / Number of Religions
4 / The Bible
5 / Violence In The Name Of god
6 / Why Are People Religious?
7 / Christians Abusing Christians
8 / Quotes On Atheism
9 / Your Choice
10 / Final Words
The Atheist Chronicles
- First Edition 2019
Cover and interior design: Paul Lima. Copyright © 2018
Published by Paul Lima Presents
www.paullima.com/books
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Published in Canada
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher of the book.
ISBN: 978-1-927710-39-5
1 / Introduction
I was raised a fundamentalist Christian. A Pentecostal. A theist.
My father believed that the earth is six thousand years old. In other words, god made the earth and the entire universe in six days, six thousand years ago. That would make the television series The Flintstones, a world in which human beings and dinosaurs co-existed, a documentary. On the seventh day, the Sabbath, god rested and we all had to go to church every Sunday ever since. Unless you are Jewish. If so, you do your worshipping at the synagogue on Saturday. Mind you, if you are Muslim, Friday is your holy day. My goodness, god gets a three-day weekend.
Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, my father believed. Eve was tempted by the Snake—a deceptive creature with no arms or legs and no ability to speak, as far as we know—to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil that grew in the Garden. I think we'd all agree that there is good and evil in the world, but evidently humans should not have eaten of this fruit as we should not have been able to tell the difference between the two ways of being. As far as I'm concerned, Eve did not eat enough fruit off this tree!
Into this bizarre, fundamentalist belief, I was born. In fact, I was raised as an Italian Pentecostal. In a world where almost every Italian who is religious is Catholic, my family was a rare breed. We were part of a congregation of about four hundred Pentecostals who attended the Italian Pentecostal church at the corner of College and Montrose in Toronto, Canada. If you know the church and its location you might say, Wait a minute. Wasn't there another Italian Pentecostal church on Ossington Avenue, just south of Bloor Street, less than ten blocks from your church?
I'd have to nod my head in agreement about the other Italian Pentecostal church. It had a congregation of about two hundred. However, these were the only two Italian Pentecostal churches in Toronto when I was growing up. By comparison, there are over two hundred Catholic churches in the city. So Italian Pentecostals are rare indeed.
If so rare, you are probably wondering, why were two Italian Pentecostal churches located in such close proximity? The answer is simple. This area of Toronto is known as Little Italy so it made sense for both churches to locate where the Italians in Toronto lived. But why two churches, instead of one larger Italian Pentecostal church? To answer that question, you need to know that Italian Pentecostals who attended the church on Ossington believed that you had to drain the blood from a chicken before you cooked it. The members of our congregation did not hold that belief. That's why there were two groups of Italian Pentecostals, a minuscule sect of fundamentalist Christians, who are a sect of Christians, who are one sect of scores of religious factions in the world.
So each Italian Pentecostal congregation held different beliefs about what you had to do with a chicken before cooking it. Of course, being good Christians, the members of each church believed that the members of the other would, for their erroneous belief, rot in Hell.
With that in mind, I feel like I could end the book here—with two congregations of fundamentalists, each believing in the same god as described in the same Bible, thinking each other was going to Hell, all because of chicken blood. If that is not grounds for atheism, then nothing is! But I will carry on writing