The title of this column comes from the title of a pamphlet (Awake!) from the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs). On page 3 of the pamphlet, it is pointed out that the Bible is composed of 66 books, “which were written by some 40 writers over a period of about 1,600 years.” The JWs, though, believe that these writers were inspired by God. However, why would God not write the Bible himself, considering its supposed importance to all of humanity? In any case, the JWs say “This can be likened to a businessman dictating a letter to his secretary.” (Note the quaint sexism in the analogy.) The problem is that businessmen and secretaries (or administrative assistants) actually exist. More importantly, both are fallible.
I am currently reading the superb 2003 book _Doubt: A History_, by Jennifer Michael Hecht. Hecht has a brief section on Black nonbelievers from the Harlem Renaissance (pp. 435-440.) I did not see this fact remarked upon by any reviewers of the book. Nor did I notice that any reviewers commented upon the Carvaka movement of India or non-belief in China, as discussed by the author. Sadly, this is not surprising. Most White scholars and intellectuals continue to be hopelessly Eurocentric.
Since the advent of the leading New Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and the late Christopher Hitchens, many religious and non-religious people have complained that religion has not been getting the respect it supposedly deserves. Atheists have harshly criticized religion and the God concept with no apologies whatsoever.
