Atheism and secularism are not new. Atheist thought, of course, originated with the philosophers of Ancient Greece (if not before) and secularism reached its initial flowering in the Enlightenment era, following hard on the heels of humanist philosophies of the Renaissance. This anthology of early atheist, secular and skeptical writings is the first one to bring together a plethora of authors under one cover. Major thinkers such as Diderot, Voltaire and Hume are presented alongside with little-known philosophers, such as Anthony Collins whose book was one of the first on the subject and desirability of free-thought, published in 1713. As an antidote to certain pseudo-historians who claim that the origins of the United States of America lie in religious thought, the editor presents several major figures of American Revolution: Jefferson, Madison, Allen, Paine are all present, discussing freedom of thought, secularist ideals in government and the separation of church and state. An introduction by the editor (who had brought us many anthologies of skeptical writing, alongside with classic of supernatural horror and several major studies of Lovecraftian strain in the horror literature) and extensive notes round out this enlightening volume. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com) Read Less