Herb Silverman
Autor von Candidate Without A Prayer: An Autobiography of a Jewish Atheist in the Bible Belt
Über den Autor
Herb Silverman is Founder of the Secular Coalition for America and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the College of Charleston. He is the author of Candidate Without a Prayer: An Autobiography of a Jewish Atheist in the Bible Belt. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Bildnachweis: Secular Coalition for America President Herb Silverman delivers opening remarks at White House administration officials briefing. Credit: Herb Silverman.
Werke von Herb Silverman
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Wissenswertes
- Geburtstag
- 1942-06-14
- Geschlecht
- male
- Nationalität
- USA
- Geburtsort
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Wohnorte
- South Carolina
- Berufe
- mathematician
professor
secular activist - Organisationen
- Secular Coalition for America
College of Charleston
Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry
American Humanist Association
Secular Student Alliance
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- Bewertung
- 3.8
- Rezensionen
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Some of the most entertaining parts of the book involve his upbringing in a Jewish family, one which frowned on too much fraternization with gentiles and which certainly would not condone marriage outside the faith. Silverman ended up disappointing his parents on both counts. Though nothing particualry profound happened to him as he grew up in his average blue collar jewish family, he developed an above average interest in both mathematics and in gently, but humorously challenging the norms he was expected to adhere too. Even as he entered academia he refused to conform too much, although he did it with such good grace and humor those he challenged couldn’t bring themselves to sever their relationships with him.
He realized at a very early age he was an atheist. Like many who begin digging into the faith in which they were raised, Silverman soon realized what he was being taught did not hold up when subjected to the scrutiny of reason. However, while he enjoyed his non-conformity on other areas, he maintained a kind of apathetic atheism, neither hiding it nor wearing it on his sleeve. It wasn’t until he had landed at the institution where he would spend most of his academic career – The College of Charleston – that he began to rebel against some of the institutional prejudice that existed against non-believers.
In 1990 he was persuaded to run for Governor of South Carolina primarily as a protest against a state law that prohibited anyone from holding public office who did not profess belief in a supreme being. Despite being clearly unconstitutional, violating both article 6 and the 1st amendment, no Republican politicians in the state, including Governor Caroll Campbell, would speak against it. On the contrary, they defended the law. Eventually, due to unethical political pressure Silverman was removed from the ballot before his challenge made it to court. By the time it did the court refused to rule arguing he no longer had standing.There was one more office he could pursue however.
The law preventing non-believers from holding public office also included Notary Publics, applications for which were routinely approved. Silverman paid his $25 expecting the state to tacitly admit the law was unconstitutional by approving his application. When Governor Campbell rejected the application, Silverman with the help of the ACLU eventually got the law declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court and the law was invalidated.
From that time forward Silverman increased his activism, eventually speaking on the subject, debating prominent theists, and helping to form the Secular Coalition for America.
What is fascinating about Silverman is that he seems to have a way to disarm those who disagree with him, with his humor and his genuine interest in the views of others. He is not afraid to disagree, but he is never disagreeable which I think increases the persuasiveness of his message.
The book is not perfect. He seems to take great pleasure in discussing every aspect of his sex life, which started slow but eventually picked up steam. A little too much discussion for my taste. Though his recollections of the many debates he has engaged in are very entertaining I find it a bit hard to believe he outclassed his opponents as much as he describes. In fact I watched a couple of these and though he is certainly most persuasive on the facts, his debating style was sometimes not up to the challenge. And near the end it devolves from autobiography to lesson plan, first on how to deal with non-believers, and then on the beauty of mathematics (interesting but out of place).
Overall a very easy and entertaining read…definitely recommended.… (mehr)