We of Little Faith

An atheist’s impassioned call for nonbelievers to be honest with themselves and their families about their lack of belief—and in so doing change the American cultural conversation.

Even though a growing number of Americans don’t believe in god, many remain reluctant to say so out loud. Kate Cohen argues that not only is it rewarding for those of little faith to announce themselves, it’s crucial to our country’s future.

As she details the challenges and joys of fully embracing atheism—especially as a parent—Washington Post contributing columnist Kate Cohen does not dismiss religion as dangerous or silly. Instead, she investigates religion’s appeal in order to explain the ways we can thrive without it.

Americans who don’t believe in god call themselves atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics, and freethinkers. Sometimes they are called “nones,” based on the box they checked on a survey identifying their religion. And sometimes they call themselves Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Buddhist.

Whatever you call yourself, if you don’t believe there’s a supernatural being in charge of the universe, it’s time to join the chorus of We of Little Faith.

PRAISE

“Engaging and thought-provoking illustrations of how the stigmatization of atheism can result in both self-censorship and ways to overcome it....She is also empathetic, nuanced, and willing to recognize good wherever she finds it, whether in the memory-enriching moments of holidays or the insights of prayer.”
—Library Journal, starred review

“Being truthful about what you believe (and what you don’t), Cohen suggests, can be key to connecting with others and living a meaningful life.”
Religion News, one of the top religion and spirituality book of the year

“We of Little Faith is an exquisite work that cements itself into your thoughts. It gives you access to your own experiences in which you might have been confronted with a situation colored by religion, and I would recommend it to anybody who values logic and honesty. It’s an inspiring book that will—hopefully—push us toward a larger cultural conversation in which ‘atheism’ isn’t seen as a dirty word.”
—The Humanist

“Outstanding: it speaks beautifully to the largest ‘religious’ group in America today: the ‘nones,’ who claim no religious affiliation, but are hesitant to speak about it. Cohen writes with the perfect mix of intelligence, compassion, and humor to let them know they’re not alone.”
—Ali Rizvi, author of The Atheist Muslim

“A breathtakingly well-referenced, nimble, and thought-provoking book.”
—Alexandra Petri, author of Alexandra Petri’s US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up)

“A deeply personal, often funny, and always astute look at what we stand to gain when we question not just the existence of God, but all of the ways in which our societies, cultures, traditions, and tropes assume there's a big man in the sky. A trenchant and thoughtful read, this is the perfect book for people who are atheism-curious, and for those who are religious but open-minded.”
—Jill Filipovic, CNN columnist, author of The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness

“This is a wonderful book. While many popular books about atheism are written with a goal of deconverting readers, Kate Cohen takes a welcome detour in We of Little Faith. By sharing her own religious journey, Kate shows us that atheism doesn't come from a place of rebellion, but rather a desire to embrace radical honesty. We of Little Faith is a delightful journey through both the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of atheism.”
—Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist podcast

“We of Little Faith is a must-read for every American, whether atheist or Zoroastrian or somewhere in between. Cohen’s witty, compassionate take on America’s religious culture is atheism as it should be, as it truly is: fulfilled, happy, and true to one’s self. This is the quotidian atheism your friends and family may be too timid to discuss, but which Cohen illuminates with absorbing eloquence. If you think about religion, you owe it to yourself to read this book.”
—Andrew L. Seidel, author of American Crusade

“An engaging, enjoyable — and very timely book. As more and more Americans shed their religion, it is essential that the voices and values of atheists are well articulated and better understood. Cohen’s work is a warm, wonderful addition on this front.”
—Phil Zuckerman, author of Society without God: Living the Secular Life