02439cam a22003373u 4500 25339 UtSlPG 20260610133559.0 m cr n 260607r2008||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 BT Lamartine, Alphonse de, 1790-1869 Atheism Among the People Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2008 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2008-05-05 Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital Libraries.) "Atheism Among the People" by Alphonse de Lamartine is a philosophical essay written in the mid-19th century. The book explores the relationship between belief in God and the moral and social fabric of society, with a particular focus on how atheism undermines democratic values and community spirit. It addresses the implications of a society that lacks spiritual guidance and the detrimental effects of materialism and selfishness on political structures." In this essay, Lamartine passionately defends the necessity of a belief in God for a thriving society and a functioning republic. He argues that genuine faith fosters a sense of duty towards others and cultivates a national conscience that upholds justice, charity, and liberty. Lamartine sees atheism as a substantial threat to social cohesion, suggesting that without a divine moral law, individuals become consumed by self-interest, leading to societal decay and ultimately despotism. He reflects on historical events, such as the French Revolution, illustrating how waves of atheism and materialism erode the spiritual foundation of society and lead to chaos and tyranny, warning against the allure of a life devoid of higher purpose or moral responsibility. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Apologetics Atheism Hale, Edward Everett, 1822-1909 Le Baron, Francis, 1824-1911 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25339 66340 66340