Interview conducted by Michael DeLaith

(Mike) Good Afternoon Jason, and pleasure to meet you.

(Jason) Good afternoon and likewise!

(Mike) A colleague of mine interviewed you a few years back when the " A call to Sanity" movement first began. How are things?

(Jason) "Movement".. I like that .. [the two shake hands], Everything is going very well.

(Mike)For our new listeners, can you give a little background on what the book is about and how much time you put into this?

(Jason) Sure, A Call To Sanity took me about three years to write. It was written to present a "rational" case against the "irrational" and to finally dispel the myths and negative connotations of what is defined as "Atheism".

The book details how atheism is basically the world's most misunderstood and misrepresented philosophy one could have on and about life...quite simply because most who define and counter the atheist have never actually had the luxury of talking and having a meaningful dialogue with one.

I wanted to get rid of the notion [unintelligible audio].......and replace it with a true, easy to read, non threatening explanation of the philosophy of rational atheism (and all that it entails). The book stressed and goes into intricate detail many things, but ultimately lays a foundation of thought processes to the reader and the world that in our current/contemporary society, one has to be ready to consider that after all we humans have been through, that the "atheist" and "atheistic population" has something important and extremely relevant to say!

(Mike)Do you feel that realistically the world (the religious population, and others are ready to see and hear from the atheist?

(Jason) Good question, but i look at it like this. For one to consciously choose to be categorized as part of a philosophy that "goes against the majority" by simply using consistent logic and objective thought...the world is obligated to realize that there may potentially be some merit to the Atheistic view!

(Mike)What are some of the key things you stress in the book?

(Jason) You mean without giving away the whole book right !? [laughter]

(Mike) of course [laughter]

(Jason) When I wrote A Call To Sanity, I made sure to "stress" that Atheism isnt just a "way of thinking", but rather it is a truly honest, honorable, sympathetic approach to viewing the world we live in and the nature of "reality". It just so happens that the main mode of successfully carrying out this approach is by embracing science, common sense and attaining all knowledge objectively.

(Mike) You stated, and I quote on another occasion that "Religion does indeed have its benefits".. if this is so, what exactly is the main detriment?

(Jason) The main defect of religion and dogmatic beliefs in the unverifiable are the amazingly low emphasis and priority it places on the acquisition of knowledge and use of objective rational thought.

(Mike) I can agree with that.

(Jason) Hey, your supposed to be the "impartial, unbiased, objective interviewer!" Now the listeners will think I bribed you to say that ! [laughter]

[laughter by all]

(Mike) What are you most proud of about A Call To Sanity ? What do you think the book does very well?

(Jason)Thats a tough one. Now , aside from the hardcore scientific principles, which the book explains easily in detail, more importantly I made sure I stressed the subtleties and normally intangible concepts that are rarely discussed from a rational atheistic view. All concepts are explained and doubly discussed (once from the rational atheistic view and once from the alleged religious view). I made sure to also include a glossary in the book (something I always like seeing at ends of books when I read!)

(Mike) Do you believe that in the year 2006, the Atheist and skeptic must behave a certain way? What I mean is how do you behave and carry yourself?

(Jason) Thats a weird but a great question! The rational atheist is obligated to live his or her life the most benefical way possible (by benefit im referring to symbiotic benefit to the global population of humans). I honestly live my life as an "example". The atheist is categorically misrepresented and mischaracterized (usually deliberately) and many have a warped view of someone who "actually does not believe in the concept of a god". I make sure that I live my life in such a way that I am a glowing example of humility, compassion, respect, admiration and "morality", in an attempt to show the word that what we humans define as "morality" and "decency" has nothing to do at all with correlation to spirituality and philosophical stance.

(Mike) Any last words you want to leave with our listeners?

(Jason) Thanks for taking the time to lsten or read this interview and I look forward to conversing with you all at acalltosanity.com .......oh, and also I am scheduled to appear at Rutgers University in New Brunsick NJ on 29 May 06.