What If I'm an Atheist?

January 26, 2015
Teenagers have enough trouble navigating questions about their identity. So where should they turn when they stop believing in religion? Journalist Seidman offers a guide for teens struggling with unbelief, particularly those who are likely to experience hostility or ambivalence about their change in convictions. He begins by painting a multifaceted portrait of what unbelief looks like, going beyond the currently popular, and vocal, New Atheism. He discusses life as an unbeliever in a possibly negative environment, giving point-by-point analyses of common debates between theists and atheists, and projects possible arguments. Covering a large amount of ground, Seidman synthesizes thoughts, questions, and data from an impressive number of sources to help teens forge a new path with confidence and knowledge. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of a deeper analysis of religions and their practices. Overall, however, Seidman is respectful, and he urges his audience toward considerate open-mindedness, making this an excellent primer for teens needing guidance in navigating the culturally contentious and personally troublesome waters of religion. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)■

January 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-Seidman advertises his work as a self-help guide for teens who question their faith or have decided that they are not religious. Unfortunately, the book's content does not match the goals that Seidman offers in his introduction. In an effort to define atheism, the author fills the first half of the book with quote after quote from famous atheists, as well as those from teens and adults sharing their own anecdotes and beliefs, which makes the book seem more suited for a research paper than for adolescents seeking guidance. In the second half, Seidman hits his stride and provides some useful advice on telling parents and friends, dealing with those who would convert atheists or treat them as pariahs, and how to argue for one's beliefs. The book contains an appendix with additional resources and an extensive list of notes citing the origin of every quote. Readers may find more support from one of the sources listed here.-Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Jefferson, LA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Grades 8-11 Many teens brought up in a faith tradition may find themselves questioning their beliefs or the existence of a god, questions that can sometimes fuel anger, disappointment, and occasionally violence from their families and friends. This guide, one of few books on atheism targeted at a teen audience, aims to advise teens as they identify themselves as atheist or agnostic, come out as nonbelievers, debate their beliefs with theists, and look for supportive communities, even among religious organizations such as Unitarian Universalism. Seidman includes testimonials from teens with a wide variety of notions about faithlessness, as well as opinions from some notable thinkers. A primer on Supreme Court cases defending against prayer in schools, for instance, is especially helpful for teens hoping to get involved in advocating for change in their schools' policies. Though occasionally disparaging in tone with regard to people who profess some kind of religious faith, overall, Seidman strives for a broad scope and balanced approach that encourages respectful, tolerant discourse. A lengthy list of resources and source notes concludes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)