Marblehead native David Silverman will present his manifesto “Fighting God: An Atheist Manifesto for a Religious World,” at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead. In his book, Silverman discusses the effectiveness, ethics and impact of the in-your-face-atheist.

Silverman argues that religion is more than just wrong: It is malevolent and does not deserve our respect. Examining the mentality, methods and issues facing the firebrand atheist, Silverman presents an argument for firebrand atheism, which includes the following statements:

— “All religion is cafeteria religion, and almost all agnostics are atheists.”

— “American society grants religion a privileged status, despite the intentions of the Founding Fathers.”

— “Christian politicians have adversely (and unconstitutionally) affected our society with regard to science, health, women’s rights and gay rights.”

— “The notion of ‘atheist Jews’ is a lie forced on us by religion.”

— “It is not ‘Islamophobia’ to observe dangerous teachings and disproportionate violence in Islam.”

— “Atheists are slowly but surely winning the battle.”

“Fighting God” is a provocative, unapologetic book that takes religion to task.

Silverman is the president of American Atheists and is best known for his firebrand style of activism, which has landed him numerous appearances on “The O’Reilly Factor” and “Hannity.”

The Marblehead author was raised Jewish and went through the standard religious education but never believed. He recalls his quest for knowledge in his hometown.

“I remember when I was about 12 years old, I had a conversation with my friend Kenny at the Tower School, about God. He was the first person to say the words ‘American Atheists’ to me, and this sparked an interest in other people who may be atheists,” said Silverman “So I got on my bike and rode the two miles to the Abbot Library where they had one book — ‘Atheism, the Case against God,’ by George Smith. This was the only atheist book in the library at that time, but when I finished, the nice librarian told me about some dude named Richard Dawkins, who wrote ‘The Selfish Gene.’ These two books set me on my road. Everything I am professionally started at the Abbot Library, and I am thrilled to speak there!”

In college, he engaged in many debates with Orthodox Jews. He became very good friends with many of his opponents, eventually marrying one of them. “Fighting God” is dedicated to his formerly-Orthodox wife of nearly 25 years.

For additional information, call 781-631-1481 or visit abbotlibrary.org.