About the Author: Mark Vandebrake
Mark Vandebrake earned a B.A in history from Southwest Minnesota State University (2006), an M.A. in the humanities from Pacifica Graduate Institute (2008), and an M.A. in psychology from Saybrook University (2012).
The "Freethought Resource Guide"is a first-stop directory to carefully vetted, selected, arranged, recommended, and synopsized references to a wide variety of items that are of the highest quality, historical importance, and/or greatest utility to freethinkers. The guide begins by articulating freethought through relevant terms, history, statistics, and commentary on frequently asked questions, issues, and criticisms. Subsequent sections contain information on topics related to freethought activism, law, education, parenting, science, religion, secular holidays, and art (fiction literature, music, film, comedy). Two large directories focusing on international, national, and local organizations and exploring the internet are included. Highlights include full text or excerpts from over 70 poems, numerous funny and insightful cartoons from Tracie Harris, co-host of "The Atheist Experience" television show. There are also two great references: 25 of the most common logical fallacies adapted from Bo Bennett's concise introductory work "Logically... Fallacious: The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies" and 36 theist arguments (and why they are flawed) adapted from Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's wonderful novel"36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction."
Whether you are an active freethinker, a beginner, or simply curious this guide is for you! Through the use of simple symbols readers of any interest level will find the guide easy to navigate. The symbols help to indicate works which are introductions, of high quality, popular amongst other freethinkers, and recommendations for your theist friends or family wishing to learn more about this life-stance. The book is passionately dedicated to helping inform, empower, connect, and entertain those who have chosen to embrace a life of independence, integrity, reason, and compassion.
This is a community based project. To learn more about how to contribute to future editions fill out a brief questionnaire by visiting www.freethoughtguide.com
Praise for "Freethought Resource Guide"
"Mark Vandebrake has created a one of a kind work. This is a book to explore, think about, read pieces here and there, learn new methods and explore ideas. I cannot imagine the effort that went into this project. It is monumental. The "Freethought Resource Guide" is a deep mine in which you will find many gold nuggets. You could spend a lifetime exploring the resources compiled here. The Freethought Movement now has a single source for all things secular."
-Dr. Darrel W. Ray, author of "Sex and God," and "The God Virus," founder and Chairman of the board for Recovering from Religion