The Necessity of Atheism

The Necessity of Atheism is a pamphlet, written by Percy Bysshe Shelley and published in 1811, that attempts to refute the existence of God. In it, Shelley makes such fallacious claims as "the mind cannot believe in the existence of a God."[1]

The pamphlet ultimately led to Shelley' expulsion from Oxford. His father intervened to get him reinstated and was allowed to return to Oxford on the condition he recant his views; his refusal to do so led to a falling out with his father.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~djb/shelley/necessity1880.html