Lewis, Joseph

Joseph Lewis (1889-1968) was an American atheist activist and writer who became one of the most prominent freethinkers in 20th century America. As president of the Freethinkers of America from 1925 until his death, Lewis dedicated his life to challenging religious orthodoxy and promoting atheism. His work "The Bible Unmasked" (1926) exemplified his approach, offering a systematic critique of biblical narratives and exposing what he viewed as contradictions, historical inaccuracies, and moral problems within scripture. Lewis contributed to the God debate through accessible polemical works that questioned religious authority and championed reason over faith. His writings, including "The Tyranny of God" (1921) and "An Atheist Manifesto" (1954), helped establish a foundation for organized atheism in America and influenced subsequent generations of secular activists.