"Might you be an atheist and no Christian?" "That is true; I believe in no God, nor do I accept your Bible..."
With these words, Knutzen was the first known person, in modern times , to identify with the label "atheist".
In an open letter and two short dialogues, he also professes to reject political authority, marriage, and anything else that fails to agree with reason: that is, with science and conscience.
He also discusses his "new religion", the "Conscientarians" , a community striving to attain truth and morality in common.
These are the first English translations of Knutzen's writings. This e-book also contains Pierre Bayle's article on Knutzen, from his 1697 Dictionary.
Language
English
Pages
110
Format
Paperback
ISBN 13
9781701119406
The First Atheist: The Writings and Legacy of Matthias Knutzen
"Might you be an atheist and no Christian?" "That is true; I believe in no God, nor do I accept your Bible..."
With these words, Knutzen was the first known person, in modern times , to identify with the label "atheist".
In an open letter and two short dialogues, he also professes to reject political authority, marriage, and anything else that fails to agree with reason: that is, with science and conscience.
He also discusses his "new religion", the "Conscientarians" , a community striving to attain truth and morality in common.
These are the first English translations of Knutzen's writings. This e-book also contains Pierre Bayle's article on Knutzen, from his 1697 Dictionary.