:Frank Zindler

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.{{cite web|title=Frank R. Zindler (Biographical Information) |url=http://infidels.org/library/modern/frank_zindler/bio.html|publisher=The Secular Web|access-date=December 11, 2013}} 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.[http://www.tabee3i.com/page/interviews/en/Frank-Zindler/index.html Biography at World of Reason] 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.secularstudents.org/speakers/FrankZindler |title=Biography at Secular Student Alliance |access-date=April 25, 2013 |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003213642/https://www.secularstudents.org/speakers/FrankZindler |url-status=dead }}

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.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/z9sIFEQDiLY Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200324074220/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9sIFEQDiLY Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9sIFEQDiLY&t=3s| title = Frank Turns 80 - Part 1 | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/jkHdF4a3Pp4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200324074227/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkHdF4a3Pp4 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkHdF4a3Pp4&t=2s| title = Frank Turns 80 - Part 2 | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/Nwi9yzUMykg Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200324074219/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwi9yzUMykg Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwi9yzUMykg&t=4s| title = Frank Turns 80 - Part 3 | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

In 2022, he published his eleventh book, The Amityville Horror: An Inquest into Paranormal Claims.{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=The Amityville Horror: An Inquest into Paranormal Claims. |date=2022 |publisher=GCRR Press}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=The Amityville Horror: An Inquest into Paranormal Claims. |date=2022 |publisher=GCRR Press}} Pp. xvii–xx (Preface) and pp. 1–8 (Introduction). 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"{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=Confessions of a Born-Again Atheist. |date=2019 |publisher=American Atheist Press}} Pp. 483–488. and in his exposé of The Amityville Horror.{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=The Amityville Horror: An Inquest into Paranormal Claims. |date=2022 |publisher=GCRR Press}} Pp. xvii–xx (Preface) and pp. 1–8 (Introduction). 

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.{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=Confessions of a Born-Again Atheist. |date=2019 |publisher=American Atheist Press}} Pp. 480–483.

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?";{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won’t Reason. |date=2011 |publisher=American Atheist Press}} Vol. III, Debates, pp. 7–120. his TV debate (Channel 13, Indianapolis, IN, The Dick Wolfsie Show) with John D. Morris on "The Question of Noah’s Flood";{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won’t Reason. |date=2011 |publisher=American Atheist Press}} Vol. III, Debates, pp. 120–189. 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?"{{cite book |last1=Zindler |first1=Frank |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won’t Reason. |date=2011 |publisher=American Atheist Press}} Vol. III, Debates, pp. 191–267. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/Review-Craig-Zindler.htm |title=Atheism vs. Christianity: Where Does the Evidence Point? |work=PhilVaz |access-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217064213/http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/Review-Craig-Zindler.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2011 }}

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.{{cite book |last=Zindler |first=Frank and Robert Price |date=2013 |title=Bart Ehrman and the Quest of the Historical Jesus of Nazareth: An Evaluation of Ehrman's Did Jesus Exist? |publisher=American Atheist Press }}

Zindler has authored, co-authored, translated, annotated, or edited several texts on atheism, science, religion, and many other subjects:{{cite web |url=http://www.bookfinder.com/author/frank-r-zindler/ |work=Bookfinder |title=Frank R. Zindler |access-date=June 27, 2012}}

• {{cite book |first=Frank R.|last=Zindler |year=1991 |title=Dial an Atheist: Greatest Hits from Ohio |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-950-5}}
• {{cite book |first=Thomas |last=Paine |author-link=Thomas Paine |year=1993 |title=The Age of Reason (Part Three: Examination of the Prophecies |editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Zindler |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-0-910309-70-7}}
• {{cite book |first1=Robert G. |last1=Ingersoll |author-link=Robert G. Ingersoll |first2=Frank R. |last2=Zindler |year=1997 |title=A Few Reasons for doubting the Inspiration of the Bible |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-950-5}}
• {{cite book |first1=Arthur |last1=Drews |author-link=Arthur Drews |first2=Frank R. |last2=Zindler |year=1997 |title=The Legend of Saint Peter: A Contribution of Mythology to Christianity |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-951-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/legendofsaintpet00drew }}
• {{cite book |first=Frank R.|last=Zindler |year=2003 |title=The Jesus the Jews Never Knew: Sepher Toldoth Yeshu and the Quest of the Historical Jesus in Jewish Sources. |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-916-1}}
• {{cite book |first=René |last=Salm |year=2008 |title=The Myth of Nazareth: The Invented Town of Jesus |editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Zindler |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-003-8}}
• {{cite book |first=Robert M. |last=Price |author-link=Robert M. Price |year=2010 |title=The Age of Reason: Examination of the Prophecies |editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Zindler |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-005-2}}
• {{cite book |first1=Robert M. |last1=Price |author-link=Robert M. Price |year=2010 |title=The Case Against The Case For Christ: A New Testament Scholar Refutes the Reverend Lee Strobel |editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Zindler |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-005-2}}
• {{cite book |first1=Thomas |last1=Riskas |editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Zindler |year= 2011 |title=Deconstructing Mormonism: An Analysis and Assessment of the Mormon Faith |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-007-6}}
• {{cite book |first=Frank R.|last=Zindler |year=2011 |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume I: Religions & Scriptures |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-011-3}}
• {{cite book |first=Frank R.|last=Zindler |year=2011 |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume II: Science & Pseudoscience |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-012-0}}
• {{cite book |first=Frank R.|last=Zindler |year=2011 |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume III: Debates |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-013-7}}
• {{cite book |first=Frank R.|last=Zindler |year=2011 |title=Through Atheist Eyes: Scenes From a World That Won't Reason. Volume IV: Omnium-Gatherum |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-014-4}}
• {{cite book |first1=Frank R. |last1=Zindler |first2=Robert M. |last2=Price |year=2013 |title=Bart Ehrman and the Quest of the Historical Jesus of Nazareth |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-019-9}}
• {{cite book |first=René |last=Salm |year=2015 |title=NazarethGate: Quack Archeology, Holy Hoaxes, and the Invented Town of Jesus |editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Zindler |publisher=American Atheist Press |isbn=978-1-57884-038-0}}
• 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}}.
• Zindler, Frank R. (2022). The Amityville Horror: An Inquest into Paranormal Claims, GCRR Press, {{ISBN|978-1-959281-02-3}} (Print) and {{ISBN|978-1-959281-03-0}} (eBook)

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.frank-zindler.com/}}
• [http://www.centerforinquiry.net/jesusproject/fellows/zindler_frank/ Frank Zindler profile] at The Jesus Project
• {{cite web

|url=http://www.eloquentatheist.com/2007/08/an-interview-with-frank-zindler/

|title=An Interview with Frank Zindler

|work=Eloquent Atheist

|date=August 20, 2007

|first=Marilyn|last=Westfall

}}

• "Frank Zindler - The Christ Myth," interview on the [http://www.pointofinquiry.org/frank_zindler_the_christ_myth// Point of Inquiry Podcast]
• [http://blog.edsuom.com/2014/04/a-life-celebration-frank-zindler.html A Life Celebration: Frank Zindler]
• {{C-SPAN|1003433}}

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{{Succession box

| before=Ellen Johnson

| title=President of American Atheists

| years=2008

| after=Ed Buckner}}

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Category:1939 births

Category:American atheism activists

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Category:Writers about religion and science

Category:American Atheist Magazine editors