EHE Book Reviews

Skeptical/Critical Approaches Record Type: Review ID: 641
The Encyclopedia of Unbelief (2 vols.) Stein, Gordon (Ed.)
For purposes of this encyclopedia, "unbelief" is used in the sense of "the rejection of belief in miracles and divine revelation, in life after death, and in any supernatural beings" (p. xi). It was completed to offset the suppression of statements regarding unbelief in textbooks and general reference works. This encyclopedia is aimed at familiarizing both unbelievers and believers "with the ideas and struggles of the many distinguished thinkers of these and earlier times who have advocated free-thought and unbelief" (p. xvi). The work is arranged alphabetically by person's name or topic. All articles are signed, and most have bibliographies. There are also entries for countries, which detail the history of unbelief in that country. There is an entry under "Paranormal, unbelief in," by Ray Hyman, who presents the case for and against parapsychology. There are entries for unbelief in the major literary traditions, e.g., "Spanish literature, unbelief in." There are several appendices. The first is a bibliography of unbelief. The second lists meetings of unbelievers from 1836-1985. The third lists "Organizations of Unbelief" chronological by country. The fourth is a list of Publishers of unbelief. There is an index for the text of the encyclopedia.
Publisher Information:	New York: Prometheus Books, 1985. Bibl: 754-756; Bibl. by chap; Ind: 801-819

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The Encyclopedia of Unbelief (2 vols.)