As of Nov. 1, there were two atheist-authored books on The New York Times Best Sellers list, for non-fiction: “Letter to a Christian Nation” by Sam Harris and “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins.

Both Harris and Dawkins draw connections between religion and America’s problems within the country regarding foreign affairs. Harris focuses on the religious right, saying they are less likely to accept others’ views and faults in policies they have agreed with, such as Bush’s foreign policies.

“The truth is that many who claim to be transformed by Christ’s love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of criticism,” Harris wrote in “Letter to a Christian Nation.” “While we may want to ascribe this to human nature, it is clear that such hatred draws considerable support from the Bible.”

Miriam Smith, a BECA associate professor, the adviser to the Latter-day Saint Student Association, and a previous adviser to the College Republicans, does not think religion in America is to blame for the war. She has not read either book.

“There is the thought that Muslim extremists are fighting against the permissive values and standards of Western society … every religion has extremists who give that religion a bad name,” Smith wrote in an e-mail. “At the foundation of Islam, Christianity, Judaism and likely all religions is the thought that ‘God’ created us all, and we should deal kindly and justly with our fellow human beings.”

SF State student Stephen Faulkner, a 20-year-old agnostic majoring in theater arts, disagrees with the message these books are conveying, although he has not read them.

“No, I don’t feel religion is to blame for our wars by itself, but I do think it is a factor,” Faulkner said. “To place blame on religion would be inappropriate.”

But Faulkner agrees with Harris that our government is factoring religion into its policies.

“I don’t believe we live in a purely secular society, I believe it’s more of a gray area,” Faulkner said. “I honestly wouldn’t want to live in a purely secular society.”

“A purely secular society would be devoid of religion,” Smith said. “But the United States is a multi-religious society. Hopefully, we will always feel that we are enjoying the right to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience and will allow everyone the freedom to worship how, where or what they may.”

Harris’ book is on sale at the SFSU Bookstore, where there was only one copy on the shelf at the beginning of November.

Ken White, the SFSU Bookstore’s general books manager, said the book was selling fairly, although he could not say how many copies of Harris’ book they had ordered or sold.

Harris has a history of religious criticism, his “The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason” was released last year.

“I enjoy living in a democracy,” Smith said of America’s wide range of religions. “I wouldn't want to create a theocracy in this country. We should be free to choose our beliefs and our lifestyle and live in harmony with each other.”