Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity

Revised & Expanded

By: John W. Loftus

Narrated by: Buzz Kemper

For about two decades, John W. Loftus was a devout evangelical Christian, an ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and an ardent apologist for Christianity. With three degrees - in philosophy, theology, and philosophy of religion - he was adept at using rational argumentation to defend the faith. But over the years, doubts about the credibility of key Christian tenets began to creep into his thinking. By the late 1990s, he experienced a full-blown crisis of faith.

In this honest appraisal of his journey from believer to atheist, the author carefully explains the experiences and the reasoning process that led him to reject religious belief. The original edition of this book was published in 2006 and reissued in 2008. Since that time, Loftus has received a good deal of critical feedback from Christians and skeptics alike. In this revised and expanded edition, the author addresses criticisms of the original, adds new argumentation and references, and refines his presentation. For every issue, he succinctly summarizes the various points of view and provides references for further analyzation. In conclusion, he describes the implications of life without belief in God - some liberating, some sobering.

This frank critique of Christian belief from a former insider will interest freethinkers as well as anyone with doubts about the claims of religion.

©2012 John W. Loftus (P)2015 Pitchstone Publishing

Enjoyable, but annoying

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed listening to, "Why I Became an Atheist". It is a well reasoned and constructed treatise about the intellectual journey of a dedicated Christian to the realization that there is no way any of this makes sense. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Loftus for what must have been a difficult, soul-wrenching quest.

What aspect of Buzz Kemper’s performance would you have changed?

The reader, Buzz Kemper, goes back and forth referring to the ultimate book in the Bible "Revelation" and Revelations". The book is entitled, "The Book of Revelation", or often known simply as "Revelation" or "The Apocalypse of John". Also, when referring to numbered books, he'll say, "2 Corinthians" instead of "Second Corinthians". I know the book is usually written as 2 Corinthians, but when we say it, we say Second Corinthians or Second Epistle to the Corinthians.

Any additional comments?

There are some other grammatical constructions that I find annoying, like saying, "the reason ... is BECAUSE ..." instead of, "the reason ... is THAT...". However, this was a very enjoyable book. I highly recommend it.

omg the narrator

the info in the book is great but the mispronunciations and lack of editing out screwups and him talking to himself are terrible. really need to get a real narrator

Answer

This author explains simply and clearly the many things wrong with the Holy Bible. You will see it all very differently and hear answers you Mary have not heard before. I definitely recommend this book.

Great insight from someone who has been inside.

it is good to know that you are not the only one who has noticed the discordant nature of Christianity with over 33,000 denominations, all claiming to be right while questioning the validity of all the remaining groups.
Not to mention the contradictions and serious unanswered questions that are uncovered when objectively studying the "Holy" bible.

Excellent Material

I always enjoy this type of reading from former Christians. You know they have been on the other side and truly understand.

Comprehensive, Well All Encompassing for Atheist & for those Seeking Knowledge.

There are around 5 to 10 blunders/ bloopers (by the reader) in this Audio book
I was shocked. I wonder if the reader was not allowed to take 2 in his readings. I find it funny. I find it raw & authentic.

The research, materials, contents are Amazing & so good for me.
Well presented. Well argued. It is not conceited, not arrogant.

Its 30 plus hours & I love it.

I want to listen to it again.

This is the De-conversion Book I need to remove the indoctrination I had as a christian.

Very edifying

I really enjoyed this book and found it very insightful. It’s also comforting, as a former believer, to know that other people have rejected faith for the same reasons that I rejected mine.

Excellent read!

Really liked he author's perspective on things. Great for those that are in the process of de-converting from Christianity.

Very good but

there were editing errors, with repeated phrases and a couple of pretty amusing comments from the narrator likely left in accidentally. Sloppy but infrequent enough not to detract from the overall performance, and I chuckled a few times.

Great book; narration QC issues

Must-read book for believers and atheists alike. Mispronunciations and undeleted VO pickups sprinkled throughout point to inattention on the quality-control end. Not unlistenable, though.