The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God
1. The Rise and Fall of New Atheism
Oct 24, 2023
Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett discuss the rise and fall of New Atheism, questioning its direction and impact. They explore the aggressive nature of the movement and its use of mockery and ridicule. The podcast also highlights the negative effects of this approach, leading to a resurgence in belief in God and a reconsideration of Christianity by secular thinkers. The flaws in the New Atheist argument and the disappointment with Richard Dawkins are also discussed.
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Quick takeaways
- New Atheism gained momentum by capitalizing on a cultural skepticism of religion after the 9/11 attacks.
- The New Atheism movement faced criticisms for its lack of engagement with the strongest arguments put forth by religious thinkers.
Deep dives
The Rise of New Atheism
The podcast episode discusses the emergence and impact of the New Atheism movement. It highlights how the movement gained momentum after the 9/11 attacks, capitalizing on a cultural skepticism of religion. The movement's key figures, also known as the four horsemen of the New Atheism, including Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris, promoted atheism as the only rational worldview while critiquing religion as irrational and harmful. They published best-selling books, engaged in debates, and used platforms like YouTube to spread their views. The episode explores the aggressive and mocking tone of New Atheism, as well as its influence on public opinion and popular culture.
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