Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists

Dan Barker

Sep 2008 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

One man shares the story of his transformation from evangelical Christian to atheist and examines the train of thought that brought him there.

After almost twenty years of evangelical preaching, missionizing, and Christian songwriting, Dan Barker “threw out the bathwater and discovered that there is no baby.” In Godless, Barker describes the intellectual and psychological path he followed in moving from fundamentalism to freethought. Godless includes sections on biblical morality, the historicity of Jesus, biblical contradictions, the unbelievable resurrection, and much more. It is an arsenal for skeptics and a direct challenge to believers. Along the way, Barker relates the positive benefit readers will experience from learning to trust in reason and human kindness instead of living in fear of false judgment and moral condemnation.

Advance Praise for Godless

“Valuable in the human story are the reflections of intelligent and ethical people who listen to the voice of reason and who allow it to vanquish bigotry and superstition. This book is a classic example.” —Christopher Hitchens, author of God is Not Great

“The most eloquent witness of internal delusion that I know—a triumphantly smiling refugee from the zany, surreal world of American fundamentalist Protestantism—is Dan Barker.” —Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion

“Godless was a revelation to me. I don’t think anyone can match the (devastating!) clarity, intensity, and honesty which Dan Barker brings to the journey—faith to reason, childhood to growing up, fantasy to reality, intoxication to sobriety.” —Oliver Sacks, author of Musicophilia

“In Godless, Barker recounts his journey from evangelical preacher to atheist activist, and along the way explains precisely why it is not only okay to be an atheist, it is something in which to be proud.” —Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic Magazine

“Godless is a fascinating memoir and a handbook for debunking theism. But most of all, it is a moving testimonial to one man’s emotional and intellectual rigor in acclaiming critical thinking.” —Robert Sapolsky author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers

Ratings and reviews

This poor man was very tragically led down the garden path into the intellectual poverty that is atheism by the usual sophistries. Reading through his too long and boring account of his journey into the logical absurdities of materialism, and seeing the errors of reasoning that held him captive on that twisting road, was disheartening. If only he had someone truly knowledgeable in science, philosophy and real biblical evidence, he could have seen the fatal flaws in the materialist's lies and errors. Sad.

Hearing the story of a Children's worship music writer turned heathen is definitely not one you hear often. The story was easy to follow and written in such a way that it was easy to put yourself in the situation. Would definitely recommend.

People are just now learning that the most brilliant people are atheist, Mr barker and I are the same his story was mine as well except I was not a Minster or went to Mexico lol

About the author

Don Barker received a degree in religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church. He has appeared on numerous talk shows including Oprah Winfrey, Hannity & Colmes, and Good Morning America. He lives in Madison, WI.