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Atheism/Expert Profile

Philip A. Stahl

U.S.

Available

Expertise

I specialize in the areas of scientific materialism and consciousness described as a materialist epiphenomenon. Also can answer questions pertaining to general atheism, atheist-agnostic differences etc.

Experience in the area

I have been an atheist for over 27 yrs. and have written two books on the subject: 'The Atheist's Handbook to Modern Materialism'(2000), and 'Atheism" A Beginner's Handbook' (due out next month).

Organizations

Intertel, American Atheists, American Mathematical Society, American Astronomical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications

Atheist articles: 'The American Atheist' magazine, assorted U.S. newspapers (e.g. Baltimore Sun); two books (already mentioned in experience section); papers-articles published in Intertel's Journal: Integra.

Education/Credentials

Master of Philosophy in Physics. Also took more than 3 yrs. of theology and metaphysics courses at a Catholic University (1964-67) - before I became an atheist. Thus, I have much more religious familiarity & background than many atheists.

Awards and Honors

Writers' Digest Award for the essay 'The Atheist in America' (2000), Government of Barbados research in solar physics award (1980-84), AAS Solar Physics Award (1984)

What do you like about this subject?

Atheism-materialism is a useful subject to provide an antidote for so much of the religious nonsense that abounds today. The trick is to get people to listen, to read - or at least ask questions!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I want to see how much more of human consciousness can be accounted for in the physicalist setting, once we proceed further into quantum field theory. I believe that QFT, not ancient theological doctrines, will have the final say.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

There are many prominent atheists out there. People don't know about them, usually until they die. Such atheists have included: Katherine Hepburn, Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov. Einstein himself was an "agnostic atheist".

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

In a recent opinion poll, 52% of Americans said they would not vote for a "well-qualified" atheist, if one were to run for public office.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	P	Comments
Prashant S Akerkar	09/07/11	10	10	10	Dear Philip Thank you. Thanks & Regards .....
Edward	08/28/11	8	9	10
wakas	08/16/11	10	10	9	thank you.
Shawn	06/04/11	10	10	10	Very helpful!
Zachary	10/12/10	10	10	10	Thank you so much for your quick .....

Recent Answers from Philip A. Stahl

2011-09-07 Atheist - Personality Traits:

Hello, There really are no special, or uniform "personality traits" that apply to all atheists. As soon as one likely thinks he's found a template for personality (say alienation from the religion of

2011-08-28 religion:

Hello, Let's be clear that any religion can make any claim it wishes. You say that Muslims assert the Qu'ran is "the undoubted word of God" - but fundamentalist Christians (like my youngest brother)

2011-08-27 the paranormal:

Hello, The incidents pertaining to "bleeding Virgin Mary statues" are - in my opinion - all cases of misunderstood chemistry or physics. I highlighted this (in a Baltimore Evening Sun article, April

2011-08-15 antony flew:

Hello, It's important to recognize that so far as we can tell (based on actual interviews Flew gave before he died), his belief in a 'higher intelligent being' was the same as his Deism. In one interview

2011-06-13 Agnosticism vs atheism:

Hello, Agnosticism often causes more confusion than atheism because people aren't sure what it means or what the limiting parameters are. I tend to go by the outlook of George Smith in his monograph:

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