What if I’m an atheist: a teen’s guide to exploring life without religion by David Seidman.
“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy.” ~Edward P. Morgan
While I think atheism is a “fragile idea” and not finally intellectually viable, it is an idea that many of us feel obligated to explore at one time or another. Mr. Seidman gives teenage atheists and agnostics the support and encouragement they might need to explore the idea of living without belief in God or religion in a 192 page book. He also encourages teens who are drawn to the idea of becoming a nonbeliever to be confident but kind, to stand up for their own beliefs without denigrating those who believe in some kind of religious dogma, and to be open to the possibility that their own beliefs may change as they grow older.
Mr. Seidman uses lots of quotes from actual teen atheists, mostly from internet forums and blog sites, as well as quotes from Christian apologists and others who have weighed in on what it means to be an atheist. Some of those who are quoted are bitter, harsh, and judgmental, but the tone of the book is not. He tells stories about teens who have been persecuted for their stand against religion and about teens who have faced difficult relationship breakdowns with family and friends. He gives some basic information on how to answer common questions from an atheistic point of view, and the answers are generally logical and respectful to a religious point of view, if not entirely complete or convincing. There’s even a chapter that gives advice on what to do if you find yourself returning to belief in religion after a period of atheism, although disappointingly the re-conversion stories mostly feature emotional leaps of faith rather than intellectual and spiritual journeys to faith.
On Goodreads, the author information about Mr. Seidman says, “David Seidman is a Los Angeles–area journalist, editor, and author who often writes nonfiction for teens. He comes to the topic of atheism with empathy for teenagers and for people in the religious minority, but he’s nobody’s advocate.” I don’t know if the author is an atheist himself, or a freethinker, or a born again Christian. The book itself is emphatically NOT an apologetic for Christianity or for atheism, but it does provide that “safe place” for exploration. And it lists some resources—books, websites, radio, TV, in-person meeting places, even college scholarships for atheists—where teens can get more information.
The Psalmist in Psalm 14:1 writes, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” I agree with that assessment of atheism. However, who among us has not played the fool at one time or another in our lives? And what does the “fool” need? Wisdom, of course. We don’t get that from arguments or harsh or mocking words, but maybe if someone were to walk along alongside, listen, and love us, it would open our eyes to God’s love and God’s wisdom. This book, although it’s not at all Christian, could be a start on that journey or an encouragement for anyone who decides to remain on the road of life without God.