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.

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.

The book was begun in the fall of 1979, as an example for his students of how to investigate claims of the supernatural and paranormal.

When the book was two-thirds completed it was put aside when an oral publishing agreement fell apart.

The story of how this played out is described both in his "Confessions" and in his exposé of The Amityville Horror.

Over the course of a long life, Zindler engaged in a great number of radio, TV, and platform debates in defense of the “Wall of Separation” between state and church; the civil rights of atheists, humanists, secularists, and secularism generally; abortion rights and the right of women to control their own bodies; and the right to “death with dignity” at the end of life.

He vigorously defended the teaching of evolution in public schools and the rights of LGBTQ Americans.

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.

In 2022, he published his eleventh book, The Amityville Horror: An Inquest into Paranormal Claims.

Among his most memorable debates were his radio debate (WMUZ Detroit, Al Kresta Show, November 14, 1989) with John P. Koster (author of The Atheist Syndrome) on the question “Does God Exist?”; his TV debate (Channel 13, Indianapolis, IN, The Dick Wolfsie Show) with John D. Morris on “The Question of Noah’s Flood”; and several radio debates (e.g., WTVN 610 AM, “Night Talk with Jim Bleikamp” in Columbus, OH) with Duane T. Gish on the question “Is Creationism Science?” 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.

Zindler is also a proponent of the mythicist theory that no historical person lies behind the Gospel picture of Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

In 2009, he retired as editor of the magazine but continued as Director of American Atheist Press.

In the spring of 2011, he published a multi-volume anthology of his short essays and other works.

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.

Zindler has authored, co-authored, translated, annotated, or edited several texts on atheism, science, religion, and many other subjects: