“The best of the best of the best, Sir!” – Agent J

OK, I am fully aware that there are way more than ten websites out there that are worth visiting.  Way more.  However, what would a “last post of the year” be without a top ten list?  The problem is trying to find one that fits that number one slot, as there are so many good places to go on the ether for a variety of different things.  So, what I have done is listed my pick for the top website in ten different categories, and listed these categories in no particular order.  So, without further adieu, I present to you…

My Top Ten…

Best Consolidation of Atheist Bloggers

Freethought Blogs - Well, this one was a no-brainer for me – and not just because it happens to be my home.  Just look at the lineup we have here at FtB and you will understand why this place is a gold mine.  Every day there are new articles posted by some of the most influential voices in our movement, making this the most ideal “first stop” of the day. Freethought Blogs is your one-stop-shop for reason.

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Best Representation of Christian Historicity

Jesus Never Existed – This is the mega site run by Kenneth Humphries.  It houses probably the largest collection of articles relating to the history of Christianity, the development of this mythical religion and it’s heroes and villains, as well as full and complete documentation regarding the spread of Christianity throughout the globe and the resultant atrocities it left (and still leaves) in its wake. This site is a must-bookmark and well worth the hours and hours of your time it will take to get through it all.  I promise, you will be amazed.

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Best Breakdown of the Bible and Koran

The Skeptics Annotated Bible – This has been a favorite of mine for many years, and always finds itself on my “best of” lists.  This website breaks down Scripture from the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon and cross references these books into categories such as absurdity, injustice, cruelty and violence, intolerance, contradictions, women, science and history, sex, etc…   Much of the scriptures cited include commentary, categorical cross referencing and topical analysis.

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Best Point-by-Point Debate Resource

Why Won’t God Heal Amputees? - For those who do not know about this place, it is time you found out what the rest of us know to be the best source of debate material on the Internet.  The name of the website is actually the starting point question on a journey of logic and reason that only the most willfully ignorant believer would come away from unscathed by the sharp edge of reality.  This website was instrumental to the freeing of many minds, including mine.  They have a spiffy forum, as well.

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Best Atheist Brain Dump

Atheism on Reddit – Where do almost four hundred thousand atheists go to post their thoughts, feelings, commentaries, links, opinions, tirades, questions, answers and pretty much anything else that comes across the minds of our extremely diverse group? The Atheism sub-reddit, of course.  What makes this place unique is not just its sheer size, but the fact that it is (for the most part) unmoderated and self-policing.  It also has one of the best FAQ’s in the business, an awesome list of recommended reading and links to related sub-reddits.

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Best Source For Political News

Think Progress – This was a tough one. Atheists cannot really be categorized into any one political point of view.  There are atheist Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, Socialists, etc.  Even after you eliminate the big-money news outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc., there are still so many good places to go for political issues that affect our movement.  However, since this is my list, I chose Think Progress.  I find their articles well written, properly researched and covering a wide spectrum of subjects.

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Best Source for Investigative Journalism

Truth Out - If you are looking for a source of extremely in-depth investigative reporting and critical analysis that is designed to reveal systemic injustices, then this is the place for you.  Truth Out cuts through a lot of the red tape that holds back other investigative websites because it is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and remains free of bias due to its non-acceptance of advertising or corporate backing.

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Best Collection of Atheist Literature

The Secular Web – Also known as “Internet Infidels,” their online library is astounding. This place is the elder-statesman of Freethought websites, having been online since 1995.  Their digital library, which is free, is a massive collection of books, articles, treatises, letters, thesis and just about every other venue from hundreds of authors going back well over a hundred years.  They also have a reference desk that provide additional links and information as well as a kiosk, book store and a special section just for parents.

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Best Atheist Video Collection

AtheismTube – I know, an easy one, but you would be surprised at how many atheists don’t even know this place exists. The collection of videos on this site grows every day and includes videos by both professionals and amateurs. You owe it to yourself to spend copious amounts of time here.  Make sure you have an ample supply of coffee and no plans for the next day.

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 Best Source of Misbehaving Religious Leaders

Clergy Gone Wild – If you’re looking for stories that depict the absolute worst behavior by Priests, Pastors, Preachers, Rabbis, Imams, Swamis, Monks, Evangelists and other Clergymen, then this is the place for you.  Updated regularly, this website categorizes the transgressions of clergy into topics that include sex abuse, theft, violence, drug abuse, cults, religaholics and bigotry.  If they represent a god and have misbehaved, you’ll find it here.

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Favorite Books:

I don’t always have my face glued to a computer screen, people.  I have a rather extensive collection of books that give me great pleasure every time I open them up.  In fact, it was the written word that first caused me to question my faith and start me down the road to reason. So, here’s a list of some of my favorites, with a short commentary on each one.  I have found these to be irreplaceable, and refer to them quite often in my own writing.  I hope you find this helpful.

• God is not Great – How Religion Poisons Everything – by Christopher Hitchens.  I don’t think I need to offer a commentary about this one. It remains at the top of my list for very obvious reasons.  If you don’t own this, you should.
• The God Delusion – by Richard Dawkins. As with Hitch’s book, commentary is not necessary.  This book should be on every atheist’s bookshelf. Again, if you do not own this, you should.
• The Oxford Companion to World Mythology – by David Leeming.  This is a rather thick tome, but it contains detailed information on hundreds of world religions, past and present.  It includes cross-references, histories and detailed information about the various gods and goddesses that make up the collective of beliefs that have been part of human ideology going back tens of thousands of years.
• The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts – by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Silberman.  I’ve had this in my collection for years. Archaeological research gives a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors, revealing that many of the most famous stories in the Bible actually reflect the world of later authors rather than actual historical facts.  An eye-opener for anyone who assumes that the archaeology in the bible reflects actual reality.
• Sense And Goodness Without God – by Richard Carrier. This is a recent addition to my collection, and as promised, it is a marvelous presentation and defense of a complete worldview that covers knowledge, art, metaphysics, morality, theology, politics, free will, the nature of the universe, the meaning of life, and much more. It is presented from a scientific point of view that there is only a physical, natural world without gods or spirits, but that we can still live a life of love, meaning, and joy.
• The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails – by John Loftus. This is another recent addition to my collection, and I am very glad that I decided to buy it.  One of the reviewers on Amazon pretty much echoes my sentiments about this book. It contains 15 chapters written by 9 scholars, most of which were at one time conservative Christians. It surveys the problems with Christianity from a number of different angles–sociological, psychological, scientific, historical, and biblical. It is the probably the single best volume available today to debunk evangelical Christianity. I would expect no less from John.
• The Demon Haunted World – by Carl Sagan.  What can I say about Carl Sagan that has not already been said? This is his book about UFO’s, alien abductions and other irrational beliefs held by people ignorant of science. It includes some very thoughtful social commentary, as well.  If you’re a Sagan fan, you want this one.
• The Religion Virus – by Craig A. James.  I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Mr. James when he was a guest on ReapSowRadio, an Internet Radio show I co-host with Reap Paden.  If you ever wondered why some beliefs become extinct while others adapt and flourish, Craig A. James shows how genetic evolution and cultural evolution, though operating at different rates, are one and the same. Like a selfish gene or a parasite, the religion virus catches a free ride in the minds of our species, infecting our history and culture.
• Why Evolution Is True – by Jerry Coyne.  I’ve had this for ages, and it is still one of the best out there on the subject. Jerry examines the proof of evolution and offers a very accessible summary of the facts supporting it. This book covers genetics, paleontology, geology, molecular biology, and anatomy to prove evolution right. I have found this book to be one of my most often cited resources.
• The Atheist Bible by Joan Conner.  This is the newest addition to my collection, and it was sent to me directly by the publisher as a gift. I’ve found it to be an awesome collection of irreverent thoughts, quotable quotes and general jocularity at the expense of the faithful. Pick up a copy.  Makes a great coffee table book, or something to keep you amused while you’re trapped in the john because you just insist on eating burritos at 2am.  The link is to the edition that I have, which seems to be a limited one.  You can go here for a more widely available version.
• Raising Freethinkers by Dale McGowan. Raising Freethinkers offers solutions to the unique challenges secular parents face and provides specific answers to common questions, as well as over 100 activities for both parents and their children. This book covers every important topic nonreligious parents need to know to help their children with their own moral and intellectual development, including advice on religious-extended-family issues, death and life, secular celebrations, wondering and questioning, and more.
• A Voice Of Reason In An Unreasonable Word – The Rise Of Atheism On Planet Earth, by Al Stefanelli.  Sorry, had to…

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Short List of the Best Sites for Military Atheists:

• Rock Beyond Belief – Secular Festival
• Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers
• Military Religious Freedom Foundation
• Military Atheists & Secular Humanists (M*A*S*H)

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A few tidbits I figured you’d find interesting…

• Here’s a list of Secular Organizations, worldwide.
• Here’s a list of Atheist Activists.
• Here’s a list of Atheist Celebrities.
• Here’s a list of Atheist Debates.

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In Closing…

Well, there you have it.  Some of favorite places to go on the web and some of my favorite places to stick my nose when I am offline, as well as a few handy lists for those who collect lists.

I would like to thank all of my friends, fans, supporters and loyal readers who have followed me here to Freethought Blogs.  A writer writes for their readers, and without you there would be no point.  I am indebted to you, and look forward to another year of polemic punditry.

Have a safe and happy New Year celebration and I’ll see you all next year!