Volume V- Issue 11,  December 2006
Published by Llumina Press

Llumina Press

Contact Person: Robyn Benson

Address: 7915 W. McNab Rd.; Tamarac, FL 33321

Telephone:  (866) 229-9244          Fax:  (954) 726-0902
Email: robyn@llumina.com 
URL: http://www.llumina.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

The First Atheist

Fort Lauderdale, December 2006:  People are asking if it's finally fashionable to be an atheist. A few bestsellers calling for an end to organized religion or touting persuasive campaigns against faith are raising doubts. Would a Godless universe be a more joyful and rational place than one fashioned by a callous designer? These questions are not really new. Doubts have always been present, but the penalties for expressing them too dire to chance the honesty. Eric Polfliet, in his book The First Atheist, enlightens us with his riveting story. 

Charvaka, sweet talker, ladies’ man, godless libertine, was the First Atheist. Many are disgusted at the mention of his name because he likes to eat, drink, and fornicate.  He is also known for questioning the authority of the Brahmin priests. Little is known of him and mystery shrouds his existence. No writings of his exist.

Charvaka was the First Atheist – a man who preached the doctrine of Eat, drink, and be merry in response against suppression and control imposed by those in charge. He recognizes Religion, but as no more than an instrument in the hands of the powers that be, used to forward their own agenda.

The protagonist, Jan, discovers Charvaka and India through a chain of events and encounters set off by a love relationship with Parvati during his student days. When Parvati is murdered in a religious rite honoring Shiva, Jan is confronted with the curse that religion and history hold for the sanity of the human race.

Jan’s experience offers a personal insight into life in India. No references are given; it appears as if the tale is no more than a great feat of his imagination. Fact or fiction? Story or documentary? Truth has many faces, reality many layers.

About the Author 

Eric Polfliet was born in Belgium in 1962. After his studies at the University of Leuven, he worked and traveled throughout Asia. At present he calls Bangkok, Thailand, his home.