Only an anthropologist armed with personal experience of the full spectrum of religious
behavior ranging from the complex and confusing adumbrations of religiosity seen among
the Warlpiri of Australia to the familiar pomp of pontiffs in the Vatican could show so
clearly what 'religion' is really all about and why it is so often anti-human and a threat to
the survival of our species. Only an Atheist well schooled in the literature of philosophy in
general and Atheism in particular could be in a position to see what needs to be done to
advance Atheism not only in the theoretical sense but in the political sense as well. David
Eller satisfies both requirements.
ATHEISM ADVANCED answers many questions, including: Why must Atheists stop 'speaking
Christian' -- not only to prevent religionists from setting the terms of debate but also
to prevent them from determining the very thoughts we think? Are there any religions
without gods? How are gods created, and are they being manufactured yet today? What
connection is there between religion and violence? Why is science of necessity atheistic?
Why aren't Atheists as likely to join groups and organizations as religionists? How has
religion colorized our lives, from critical life events, architecture, and real estate, to the daily
habits we perform and the way we experience time? Who are the thinkers most responsible for
the sorry state of thought today? And finally, why must Atheists advance from being simply 'without
gods' to being Discreditists -- thinkers who reject belief-based reasoning altogether? Why must we
eschew the words 'belief' and 'believe'?