Michel Onfray dissects precisely, using a magnifying glass... - Rated 
*This absolutely excellent work is a very precise deconstruction of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, charting the historic origins and evolution of these three closely related monotheisms.
*The original title in French is "Traite d'Atheologie", which accurately describes the contents. Here in Canada, the English translation's title ("In Defense of Atheism") is unfortunate, the tone of the book being far from defensive (It's rather scathingly critical).
*Onfray is a very popular French philosopher, and I tremendously enjoyed his literary style: it's both flowery and ... meaty.
*The author obviously spent a tremendous amount of time pouring over the so-called "holy" texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (and other books). There are no factual errors in his work to my knowledge.
*Critics complain Onfray ignores the good side of religion. Well, he doesn't: he just dismisses it as relatively insignificant compared to its atrocious side.
*Onfray interestingly observes that even though our western societies are now secular, they are still pretty much stuck with judeo-christian values
(See for example the institution of marriage or the bioethics debates).
*I highly recommend this book, that I just finished reading today in its
original language.
Atheist Manifesto - Rated 
Michel Onfray's "Atheist Manifesto" is the latest of many recent books about religion, atheism and secularism. This book is not a scientific study or an attempt to disprove the religions, but a philosophical polemic against religions (an "Atheological treatise" as the original French title would translate) and a call for a post-Christian secularism.
Onfray is an atheist but he doesn't seem to be attempting to convert anyone to atheism, and indeed, his writing style is not likely to convert believers. Instead, the book is a polemic reflection about the effects of religion and a call to reason, probably aimed mostly at fellow atheists.
An interesting chapter of the book is spent deconstructing the myth of Jesus and how Christianity came to be the world's biggest religion and how some of it's teachings (especially those of Paul) may have come to be.
Another large portion of the book explains why religion has been the monotheistic teachings have caused so much evil. It's all very true but not exactly news.
The real purpose of the book comes in the last few pages, where he returns to something he wrote about in the beginning of the book. Here he says the choice is not between western Judeo-Christian values and Muslim values, but between religion and secularism. According to Onfray, much of the current secular values have their roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and he calls for a post-Christian secularism with post-Christian ethics.
Onfray is obviously a very knowledgeable philosopher and he makes many good points. The book is probably aimed at atheists and philosophers. It's not a book to start with for those new to atheism or those with only a sporadic interest in ahteism or religion, but at the same time, for the already-convinced atheist, such as myself, there's really not much new to be found in this book.
The true history of religion - Rated
Onfray shows through historical and philosophical examples how the myths of monotheism and later Christianity were created and how the whole story was trimmed to suit the people in power.
Constantine was the first roman emperor who converted to Christianity. He saw clearly how this new religion would help him to establish a totalitarian regime. For nearly two millennia others would follow and use a fairytale to gain power over large parts of the world and brutalize everyone who wouldn't comply.
The book puts into easy readable words what I thought for myself since I started to think at around 12 years of age. But I could never really articulate my thought about the subject very well. Onfray does this brilliantly.
Must read for everyone! This way of thinking should be taught in schools.
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