The AxPx Podcast 9: The New Atheists

The New Atheism Movement is on Joey’s mind this week. We discuss the “new-ish” movement, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and even Kirk Cameron with special guest Rob Hunter. Music by Tin Horn Prayer and Undesirable People. Please subscribe in iTunes so you’ll never miss a show! http://bit.ly/W4KRJ5 Show Notes Intro Sponsors: None Co-host: Joey Avalos   TOPIC – “New Atheism”   Introduce Guest – Rob Hunter   Introduce Topic:   New Atheism is the name given to the ideas promoted by a collection of modern atheist writers who have advocated the view that “religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises.”[1] The term is commonly associated with individuals such as Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens (together called “the Four Horsemen of New Atheism” in a 2007 debate they held on their criticisms of religion, a name that has stuck),[2] along with Victor J. Stenger,[3] A.C. Grayling,[4] and P.Z. Myers.[5] Several best-selling books by these authors, published between 2004 and 2007, form the basis for much of the discussion of New Atheism.[6]   Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities.[1][2] In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities.[3][4][5] Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist.[4][5][6][7] Atheism is contrasted with theism,[8][9] which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.[9][10]   Top New Atheist activists   Christopher Hitchens- God is not great. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Hitchens Sam Harris- The End of faith. A letter to a Christian Nation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Harris_(author) Richard Dawkins- The God Delusion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins Daniel Dennett- Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Dennett     Music Break 1: From Denver, Colorado – Tin Horn Prayer, “1939” from the album “Get Busy Dyeing” on Bermuda Mohawk Productions. OUT NOW. Go to http://tinhornprayer.bandcamp.com     1.     What is Atheism? 2.     What is “New Atheism?” 3.     What is driving this so-called New Atheism? 4.     Is the “New Atheist” Movement here to stay? What does the future look like for America? Will it one day become just like Europe? 5.     Atheism Plus. What’s this all about?   The Opposition: Defending Religion/ Christianity   Top Apologists Dinesh D’ Souza http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinesh_D’Souza William Lane Craig http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lane_Craig Mike Licona http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_R._Licona Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Comfort http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Cameron Frank Turek http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Turek   Rallies and Atheist conventions Skepticon Atheist Alliance International (AAI) American Atheists National Convention Global Atheist Convention Reason Rally Freedom from Religion The Clergy Project Project Reason     Music Break 2: From St Clair Shores, Michigan – Undesirable People, “Eugenics” from the album Eugenics. OUT NOW. Go to http://undesirablepeople.bandcamp.com/     End Show   Recommended Reading by Rob Hunter – Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal – http://www.amazon.com/Lamb-Gospel-According-Christs-Childhood/dp/0380813815   Today’s featured music was brought to you by Tin Horn Prayer, “1939” from the album “Get Busy Dyeing” on Bermuda Mohawk Productions. OUT NOW. Go to http://tinhornprayer.bandcamp.com and Undesirable People, “Eugenics” from the album Eugenics. OUT NOW. Go to http://undesirablepeople.bandcamp.com/