Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry cover image

Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry

Why New Atheism has failed - Justin Brierley | Maiden Mother Matriarch 32

Sep 24, 2023
Justin Brierley, author of 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God', discusses the rise and fall of new atheism, the influence of Christian principles on culture, the importance of treating sex and relationships carefully, the continuing religious drive in humans, different styles of worship within the Church of England, and the broader platform of new atheists.
01:08:27

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • New atheism failed to provide a positive ethical framework beyond its negative critiques, causing some atheists to turn to other secular intellectuals for a more comprehensive worldview.
  • The decline of shared narratives in today's social media age has contributed to mental health issues and a meaning crisis; rediscovering a different story is key to finding purpose.

Deep dives

The Rise and Fall of New Atheism

New atheism emerged in the mid-2000s as a more media-savvy and dogmatic form of atheism. It was influenced by the rise of the internet and gained popularity by critiquing religion, especially in the wake of events like 9/11. However, it eventually faced internal divisions and controversies, with different factions forming around various social justice issues. The movement failed to provide a positive ethical framework beyond its negative critiques, and many atheists turned to other secular intellectuals like Jordan Peterson for a more comprehensive worldview.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner