Emma Goldman: “The Philosophy of Atheism”

Questions for Further Study

• 1. Why, in your opinion, are scientists more likely to consider themselves atheists than are nonscientists?
• 2. Compare how atheists examine the “problem of evil” with the way this problem is examined in a religious tradition you may be familiar with.
• 3. Goldman refers to organized religion as “the most powerful and lucrative industry in the world.” Explain what she means by this statement and express agreement or disagreement. Does it trouble you that many religious institutions own considerable economic assets?
• 4. What was the connection between atheism and radical politics at the time? Do you think that if Goldman had lived in a different time period, she might not have become an atheist?
• 5. Goldman described herself not only as an atheist but also as an anarchist. What connection do you see between atheism and anarchism? What historical events at the time forged a connection between these two “-isms,” at least in Goldman’s mind?