Frank Zindler

Frank R. Zindler (May 23, 1939) is an American atheist who served as interim president of the atheist organization American Atheists in 2008.^[1] Prior to his involvement in the atheist community, he was Chairman, Division of Science, Nursing, & Technology, at Fulton-Montgomery Community College of the State University of New York.^[2] After the abduction and murder of Madalyn Murray O'Hair, her son Jon Garth Murray, and granddaughter Robin Eileen Murray-O'Hair in 1995, he became editor of both American Atheist magazine and Director of American Atheist Press.^[3] In 2009, he retired as editor of the magazine but continues as Director of American Atheist Press. In the spring of 2011, he published a multi-volume anthology of his short essays and other works.^[2][4]

At a party celebrating his 80th birthday, he came out of the closet as a gay man by giving a dramatic reading of the "Confessions" part of his autobiography.^[5][6][7]

Debates[]

Zindler is an outspoken opponent of creationism and has participated in several debates regarding the issue. He also had a famous debate with philosopher and theologian William Lane Craig at Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL on June 27, 1993.^[8]

Zindler is also a proponent of the mythicist theory that no historical person lies behind the Gospel picture of Jesus of Nazareth. After the publication of Bart Ehrman's 2012 book Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth arguing (from a non-religious perspective) for the existence of a historical Jesus, Zindler and Robert M. Price co-edited an anthology of essays by various mythicists arguing against Ehrman's position.^[9]

Selected bibliography[]

Zindler has authored, co-authored or edited several texts on atheism:^[10]

• Zindler, Frank R. (1991). Dial an Atheist: Greatest Hits from Ohio. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578849505.
• Paine, Thomas (1993). Zindler, Frank (ed.). The Age of Reason: Examination of the Prophecies. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-0910309707.
• Ingersol, Robert G.; Zindler, Frank R. (1997). A Few Reasons for doubting the Inspiration of the Bible. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578849505.
• Drews, Arthur; Zindler, Frank R. (1997). The Legend of Saint Peter: A Contribution of Mythology to Christianity. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578849512.
• Zindler, Frank R. (2003). The Jesus the Jews Never Knew. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578849161.
• Price, Robert M.; Zindler, Frank R. (2010). The Case Against The Case For Christ: A New Testament Scholar Refutes the Reverend Lee Strobel. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840052.
• Riskas, Thomas; Zindler, Frank R. (2011). Deconstructing Mormonism: An Analysis and Assessment of the Mormon Faith. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840076.
• Zindler, Frank R. (2011). Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume I: Religions & Scriptures. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840113.
• Zindler, Frank R. (2011). Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume II: Science & Pseudoscience. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840120.
• Zindler, Frank R. (2011). Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume III: Debates. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840137.
• Zindler, Frank R. (2011). Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume IV: Omnium-Gatherum. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840144.
• Zindler, Frank R.; Price, Robert M. (2013). Bart Ehrman and the Quest of the Historical Jesus of Nazareth. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1578840199.
• The Myth of Nazareth: The Invented Town of Jesus (2008)
• NazarethGate: Quack Archeology, Holy Hoaxes, and the Invented Town of Jesus (2015)
• Zindler, Frank R. (2019). Confessions of a Born-Again Atheist: The Implausible Lives of a Godless Guy. American Atheist Press. ISBN 978-1-57884-039-7.

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Frank Zindler profile at The Jesus Project
• Westfall, Marilyn (20 August 2007). "An Interview with Frank Zindler". Eloquent Atheist.
• "Frank Zindler - The Christ Myth," interview on the Point of Inquiry Podcast
• A Life Celebration: Frank Zindler
• Appearances on C-SPAN