The New Atheism: Taking a Stand for Science and Reason
"One of the most forlorn ways of defending religion is to misconstrue, distort, or ignore the best arguments put forward against it. Unfortunately, this spirit of obscurantism now animates even secular critics of the 'new atheism.' Victor Stenger dispels the resultant blizzard of lies and half-truths with great skill in this timely and accessible book. We are all in his debt." --Sam Harrisis the author of theNew York Timesbest sellers,The End of FaithandLetter to a Christian Nation"There is nothing new - and everything new - about the New Atheism. Victor Stenger (one of the New Atheists himself) eloquently reminds us that although the persuasive arguments against religious belief have existed for millennia, they are now strengthened and confirmed with the insights of modern physics and philosophy to such a degree that we are brought to a tipping point. We have surpassed the critical mass of evidence and reasoning where the time has come for atheists to step forward - and they are indeed stepping forward confidently - to occupy the intellectual and moral high ground that is their rightful place. What is truly 'new' about atheism is that the world, after too many centuries of giving religion a free rein, is now prepared to see and embrace the positive wisdom of doubt. A freethinker like Stenger is no longer perceived as the lone, angry 'village atheist' living on the desperate fringe of society. The religious right can no longer smear atheists as 'strident, angry, aggressive, and negative.' Victor Stenger, with his affirming, incisive and illuminating observations, shows us that there is truly grandeur in taking a stand ,forsomething precious: science and reason." --Dan Barker, author ofGodless: How An Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists. Co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation"The new atheism is not just another dogmatic belief system to be accepted on faith, nor does it make people immoral and miserable. Stenger's thorough review should make both believers and atheists take seriously the harm religions can do." --Susan Blackmore, visiting Professor in Psychology at the University of Plymouth, and author ofTen Zen Questions;The Meme Machine; andConsciousness: An Introduction."Victor Stenger's combined expertise in physics and philosophy prove fatal to any pretense that theism is defensible or rational.The New Atheism: Taking a Stand for Science and Reasonis a clear and potent explanation of why the old theism is no match for the new atheism." --Dr. Hector Avalos, author ofThe End of Biblical Studies(2007) and Professor of Religious Studies, Iowa State University