I wanted to let you all know that my new God book is now out in bookstores entitled HOW WE BELIEVE: The Search for God in an Age of Science, published by W. H. Freeman, the publishers of Scientific American books and the publisher of my earlier book, WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE WEIRD THINGS.

This is the culmination of 27 years of research since the time I became a born again Christian when I was 17 years old, to my deconversion in graduate school six years later when I studied evolutionary biology, experimental psychology, and the methods of science, to the founding of the Skeptics Society and Skeptic magazine and the comprehensive study of religious attitudes and reasons for belief that Frank Sulloway and I conducted two years ago.

It should be available in all bookstores in America, Canada, the UK, and other English speaking countries, and the foreign rights are now being marketed by my agent, John Brockman. Of course, you can also order it through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, but I recommend that you go to:
www.howwebelieve.com

The Skeptics Society web meister, Dr. Nick Gerlich (who has also authored a number of important articles in Skeptic on conspiracy theories, JFK, Roswell, Princess Di, etc.), has set up a web page for the book that features short excerpts from each chapter, reviews, synopsis, the survey Frank Sulloway and I conducted to answer the question: why do people believe in God? that you can take (we are still collecting data to corroborate our initial findings as well as for other research purposes), and even a reader forum for reviews, commentary, and debate.

I am very pleased with how the book turned out (the cover art and design is stunning) but my publicist is running into some resistance in the media, with many producers very nervous about having an intelligent conversation about God and religion for fear of offending people. Even shows that I did for Weird Things, who invited me to return for further interviews, are telling us that the subject is taboo.

(A notable exception: I will be on NPR's TALK OF THE NATION this Monday live from 12-1pm PST and 3-4pm EST)

It may be that in order to get the word out about the book it will take a grassroots effort on the part of us skeptics, humanists, and free thinkers of all stripes through word of mouth. It is unfortunate that we live in a culture in which certain subjects such as God and religion are taboo for discussion (even when done in a conciliatory manner, which I try to do), but it should not prevent us from making progress nonetheless.

There are no sacred cows, so if you could forward this e-mail message to anyone you like it might help. Thank you.

Here are some comments made about the book so far:

"Well-researched, comprehensive, and persuasive. How We Believe is especially notable in stressing the great power of narration as the vehicle of complex thought. I hope very much that the book will sell and be reviewed very widely; the humanistic, evolutionary explanation may in fact be ready to break out of the intellectually remote domain in which it has been developed and too long hemmed in." --Dr. Edward O. Wilson, Pulitizer-Prize winning author of On Human Nature and Consilience, Research Professor and Honorary Curator in Entomology, Harvard University

"This is an important book which is at the same time a great read. Michael Shermer digs into the American religious psyche with devastating logic and intensity. He is afraid of no one and while unfailingly polite, effectively demolishes one sacred nonsense belief after another. Too often politeness (or cowardice) prevents people from asking questions or from expressing dissent. No such barriers stand in the way of Shermer's acute intellect, the more powerful since he so obviously cares about the issues on which he writes. I love his discussions of God and of morality, and when I disagree I simply want to argue the more. I recommend this book to all people, especially to young people whose minds are still open and who wonder why it is that their elders and betters refuse to ask and answer the really difficult questions." --Dr. Michael Ruse, Professor of Philosophy and Zoology, University of Guelph, Author of Taking Darwin Seriously, Founder and Editor of Biology and Philosophy

"Michael Shermer's latest contribution is an insightful tour-de-force which will no doubt provoke virtually everyone who reads Why People Believe in God. Shermer's persuasive and always surprising new insights into the roots of religion, morality, and God may not bring comfort to the traditional worshipper. However, those who approach this intriguing and informative book with a receptive mind will come away with a much deeper appreciation for the wonderful interplay of biology and culture which makes us who we are--perhaps unique creatures in the universe." --Professor Don Johanson, Director, Institute of Human Origins, Author of Lucy, Lucy's Child, and From Lucy to Language

"Why People Believe Weird Things splendidly exhibited the rational mind, sporting through irrational country. Now, in this new tour de force, Michael Shermer turns his penetrating gaze on something even weirder, even more worthy of his characteristic style of civilized but uncompromising investigation. The book will convince and delight all who are not chronically averse to opening their minds and thinking for themselves. --Professor Richard Dawkins, Author of The Selfish Gene, Climbing Mount Improbable, and Unweaving the Rainbow.

"One can be a nonbeliever without being against belief. One can study what religion is and what it means to the human condition without ridiculing or mocking the believer. One can be a scholar about a subject of which many people discourage a critical examination. Shermer is all this and more in this thoughtful and reflective book. Recommended for both believer and nonbeliever." --Dr. Eugenie Scott, Anthropologist and Executive Director, The National Center for Science Education

"Marvelous. From astrophysics to biology to philosophy to anthropology, Shermer struggles and fascinates at the same time. It is intriguing and, above all: thought-provoking! Where you'll agree with him, you'll find his data and discussion helpful. Where you'll disagree, he'll prompt you to have some really interesting thoughts of your own. You can't lose." --Richard Elliott Friedman, Professor of Hebrew and Literature, University of California, San Diego, Author of Who Wrote the Bible?, The Disappearance of God, and The Hidden Book in the Bible.

"In his latest book, Michael Shermer offers a different perspective on the God question. Rather than pondering 'Does God Exist?' he asks, 'Why do People Believe in God?' From an impressive assemblage of historical, biological, and social scientific data, he suggests that the divine realm has emerged out of the evolutionary tendencies of humans to create patterns, with God being the ultimate pattern. He presents a challenge to thoughtful believers who already understand the undeniable human element in the creation of religion. Do we humans and the religious community encounter the Divine Who has drawn us to Itself, or is it simply the case that we have created God as the end product of our need to make sense of it all?" --J. Gordon Melton, Institute for the Study of American Religion, Author of Encyclopedia of New Religions