Twilight of Atheism: Chapter Guide
Justin Segovia
Fr. Denniston
Faith and Critical Reasoning
Chapter 1
-The French Revolution was one of the first instances were the ideas of atheism were made public.
- The Revolution led many of the clergy to be expelled from the state or killed.
- After the Fall of Berlin Wall, atheism declined in popularity.
- Russian Revolution continued what French Revolution started. People began to speak of atheism outside of their own homes.
- The classical version of atheism is vastly different than the atheism that is known today.
- Some consider “modern atheism” as one of the greatest achievements of human intellect.
- Immortalization in Greek myths meant “infinite extension of existence, not the infinite projection of moral qualities”
- Classical Greek atheism denied “traditional religion of the Athenian establishment”
- Protestant reformers wrote against church’s corruption and straying from “authentic models of the New Testament”
- Protestantism eventually gained popularity in Western Europe in 1600s
-“Historical origins of modern atheism lie primarily in an extended criticism of the power and status of the church
- The 18th century was regarded the “most creative period of atheist experimentation and reflection”
Chapter 2
- 1789 French Revolution had several socioeconomic influences including the decline of the church.
- French Revolution created possibility of turning to atheism due to resentful feelings harbored toward the church.
Many of the most radical 18th century French philosophers were in fact deists. René Descartes theorized that, “that a perfect divine being was the best explanation of the universe”.
- Voltaire argued that the, “attractiveness of atheism is directly dependent upon corruption of Christian institutions”
- American Revolution was not religiously or socially based, it was for more economic reasons.
- Marquis De Sade suggests that faith is a barrier to pleasure.
- Antitheological developments change France from a
Fr. Denniston
Faith and Critical Reasoning
Chapter 1
-The French Revolution was one of the first instances were the ideas of atheism were made public.
- The Revolution led many of the clergy to be expelled from the state or killed.
- After the Fall of Berlin Wall, atheism declined in popularity.
- Russian Revolution continued what French Revolution started. People began to speak of atheism outside of their own homes.
- The classical version of atheism is vastly different than the atheism that is known today.
- Some consider “modern atheism” as one of the greatest achievements of human intellect.
- Immortalization in Greek myths meant “infinite extension of existence, not the infinite projection of moral qualities”
- Classical Greek atheism denied “traditional religion of the Athenian establishment”
- Protestant reformers wrote against church’s corruption and straying from “authentic models of the New Testament”
- Protestantism eventually gained popularity in Western Europe in 1600s
-“Historical origins of modern atheism lie primarily in an extended criticism of the power and status of the church
- The 18th century was regarded the “most creative period of atheist experimentation and reflection”
Chapter 2
- 1789 French Revolution had several socioeconomic influences including the decline of the church.
- French Revolution created possibility of turning to atheism due to resentful feelings harbored toward the church.
Many of the most radical 18th century French philosophers were in fact deists. René Descartes theorized that, “that a perfect divine being was the best explanation of the universe”.
- Voltaire argued that the, “attractiveness of atheism is directly dependent upon corruption of Christian institutions”
- American Revolution was not religiously or socially based, it was for more economic reasons.
- Marquis De Sade suggests that faith is a barrier to pleasure.
- Antitheological developments change France from a