 Woolsey Teller, 64, Atheist Leader, Dies. New York Times, March 12, 1954. |
"Essays of an Atheist"
by Woolsey Teller
©1945 by The Truth Seeker Company, Inc.
"I never knew real contentment and satisfaction of mind until I had completely shaken myself free from all Christian ideals.
To me they are all fantastic and untrue. It is extraordinary that they continue to be preached and accepted by so many - because to practice them is impossible."
- Sir Buckston Browne, F.R.C.S., LL.D.
"As I see it, the supernatural has no support in science, it in incompatible with science, it is frequently an active foe of science. It is unnecessary for the good life."
- Dr. A.J. Carlson, President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Science, Feb. 27, 1931).
"These essays, originally published in The Truth Seeker, have been saved from a journalistic existence (as nearly as anything written for a monthly publication can be saved from oblivion in a world of ruthless extinctions) by its editor, Charles Smith, my publisher and companion in arms for many years, who, being a born crusader, has decided to give them an extended lease of life between covers. …Whether one agrees or disagrees with the opinions expressed in this volume is of small moment; what really matters is the degree to which a writer stimulates others to independent research and a reappraisal of conventional doctrines. After all, one must be judged, not by his errors, but by his batting average. If he can keep the mistakes down to a minimum and the score high, he will be contributing in some small way to a better understanding of life and its problems."
-Woolsey Teller
CONTENTS
- PREFACE
Preface by Woolsey Teller - The Futility of Philosophy
...critiques varied famed philosophers throughout history, detailing some of the absurdities and nonsense found in some of their quotes. - Mysticism in Modern Physics
...aimed to dis-spell misconceptions about the atom. - Muddlers of Science
...aims to discredit fictitional theories of the day, about atomic particles and Physics. - Christian Cowardice and Atheist Courage
Woolsey Teller gives his review of the old saying ''No Atheists in Foxholes''. - Froth and Fraud in Fundamentalism
...explores the questions related to science and religion, creation vs evolution, Noah's Flood, Jonah and other issues. - Christianity and Insanity
... discusses in depth on the History of Christianity, and the belief in demon possession, and the abuses that occurred against the insane. - Sea Gulls and Christian Gullibility
... written during WWII, questioning the 'miracle' that a Seagull was delivered by Providence, to save men stranded at Sea. - Atheism-and Jesuit Duplicity
... Teller addresses his critics at a Jesuit Journal, on the poor conditions of many Catholics, and their lack of freedom to be individuals. - Christianity and Astrology
... the history of astrology, prophecy, and superstition within the Bible, and throughout the History of Christian Church. - Whitewashing the Infamous
... on the ongoing controversy about Science and Religion, including criticism on historical suppression of science and freethinking. - Bigotry: Ally of Religion
... criticizing the claim bigotry is kept under control, through religion, but the author points out how bigotry at its worst, was when religion was at its zenith. - Sociology in Slumberland
... discussing how the world would be more peaceful, for all, without religious bigotry and intolerance. - The Ape Ancestry of Man
... discusses the question whether Darwin really meant man descended from ape, or is merely a cousin of apes, including quotes by Darwin, Huxley, Haeckel and others. - Monkeying with Darwin
... criticizing a museum for displaying a sign misleading the public to believe that Darwin did not teach man came from Old World Monkeys. - Hamstringing the Health Seekers
... criticizes the overwhelming pressure to look good and have a perfect body, emphasizing on the need to build the mind, more than the body. - Humanism -- A New Religion
... answers, from his perspective, what Humanism is, and what Humanists believe. - Egoism and Altruism Considered
... in his perspective, explains the reason people do good, is motivated by self-interest. - Christianity and Einstein
... discusses the subject of Albert Einstein and his particular views on God, Spirituality and Science. - "Fictional Biography" and Thomas Paine
... defends the reputation of Thomas Paine against a fictional biography about the Founding Father. - A Reply to Critics
... response to his critics, after publication of his book "The Atheism of Astronomy".
BRIEFER COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS
- A Hill-Billy Book
... responding to a Fundamentalist, who published "The Bible Defeats Atheism", after the Rimmer Trial, on science and religion. - Sociological Pipe-Dreams
... on Sociology, and its futility to predict human behavior. - Is the Bible Valuable?
... discussion between Woolsey Teller and a Geography Researcher, Yale University, asking if the Bible is a valuable book. - That Jonah Stuff Again
... commentary on the story of Jonah and the Whale, and a Chicago University Professor who presumably crawled into the belly of a Sperm Whale. - Chameleonic Christianity
... criticizes a claim by a Christian, that the WWII was being fought to preserve Christian values. - St. Patrick's "Gift" to Ireland
... criticizing Saint Patrick's contribution of Christianity to Ireland. - Dr. Gregory and Religion
... criticizes Sir Richard Gregory, President of the British Association, for his views on religion being a necessity for morality. - Sideline Criticism
... his personal view on the Historicity of Jesus, and his lack of belief that Jesus performed miracles. - Our Gun-Powder Survival
... commentary about mathematical probabilities relating to the fear that "the human race may drive itself to extinction" by war. - Super-Sensory Superstition
... skeptical viewpoint, about a documented case in the 1940's, of a Clairvoyant who could read symbols on cards, at a distance. - Telepathy: a Vulgar Delusion
... ghosts, poltergeists, telepathy and telekinesis, which include a critical comparison between science and superstition. - Politicians and Prayer
... commentary during World War II, on the futility of prayers offered up by politicians. - A Non-Kosher Tax-Payer Speaks
... on kosher killing, and the government protecting the practice, through the Bureau of Kosher Enforcement. - Kosher-Killing Cruelty
... on a trial that took place in the 1940s, on the issue of kosher killing. The author describes it as cruelty to animals. - Flouting the Bill of Rights
... a proposed Bill, which would prohibit citizens from criticizing any religion, treading on rights of freedom of press and speech. - Evolution Implies Atheism
... discusses evolution, and the seemingly non-intelligent randomness in nature. - Molasses or Vinegar?
... on atheists who fear to call themselves atheists, encouraging fellow atheists to be aggressive with their beliefs. - A Columnist Barks up the Wrong Tree
... criticizing a newspaper reporter for his defense of the Catholic Church. - The Fallacy of Free Will
... discusses free will, and the doubts that people are guided by religious beliefs, but more by environmental conditioning. - The Miracle Joint at Lourdes
... on the Lourdes Shrine, where people report miraculous healing. Briefly explains the history, and the fallacies of this famed shrine. - Vivisection, Euthanasia, and Cremation
... in support of animal experimentation, euthanasia, and cremation. - Miscellaneous Notes
... collection of thoughts responding to current issues of the day, relating to the discrepancies between science, spirituality and religion.
Transcription to web provided by Sharon Mooney. Original publication, courtesy of the library owned by David Mooney.
