Jonathan Miller'sA Rough History of Disbeliefexplores the development of atheism as a singular mode of being, clarifying quite spectacularly the emergence of secular thought over the past 500 years. Featuring interviews with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennet, Arthur Miller, Colin McGinn and other secular luminaries, it is a MUST see.Watchall three episodes here:Episode 1:Shadows of DoubtEpisode 2:Noughts and CrossesEpisode 3:The Final HourThe spin-off interviews from the series, calledThe Atheism Tapes, are now online:Watchall six interviews here:Parts 1 & 2:Colin McginnandSteven WeinbergParts 3 & 4:Arthur MillerandRichard DawkinsParts 5 & 6:Denys TurnerandDaniel Dennet

--------------------------------------------------------------
In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.

-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God