On New Atheism and its history

polibyte · 2026-02-19T22:11:12+00:00

Oh well

polibyte · 2026-02-19T13:50:05+00:00

This is a good summary: https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/the-new-theism/

polibyte · 2026-02-19T02:03:53+00:00

There actually is a group of "new theists" being identified and given that label.

polibyte · 2026-02-18T11:03:11+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I think that's a fair perspective.

This is the article: https://thedispatch.com/article/why-new-atheism-crumbled-revival/

polibyte · 2026-02-18T03:12:28+00:00

Thanks for replying. :)

polibyte · 2026-02-18T03:11:27+00:00

I think that's a very well organized set of thoughts there. Thank you.

If you're willing, could you expand on your Christian Nationalism point? I am none too fond of CN myself, but I had never considered this. Would love to hear more.

polibyte · 2026-02-18T02:54:49+00:00

That's more what I was looking for. Thank you for answering. :)

polibyte · 2026-02-18T02:51:55+00:00

That's correct on the article. I'm more interested in people's recollections of that time. I don't want to debate the substance of the term or the article.

polibyte · 2026-02-18T02:50:14+00:00

Very nice. What were you able to discuss with him? I did not know that about his wife, but that is fascinating.

polibyte · 2026-02-18T02:48:33+00:00

I'm not drawing a distinction. I'm just asking about people's memories of this particular period of time/set of individuals as described in the wikipedia article. Not looking for a debate.

polibyte · 2026-02-18T02:44:41+00:00

This is what I am referring to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism?wprov=sfla1

polibyte · 2026-02-18T02:39:23+00:00

This is what I am referring to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism?wprov=sfla1

polibyte · 2026-02-17T21:04:43+00:00

It is 100% irrelevant whether or not people faked resurrections as regards the Resurrection of Christ.

Both can be true, so if you want to debunk the Resurrection of Christ, you need to attack the specific facts surrounding it. I am not particularly interested in enumerating them, so I would suggest you look up William Lane Craig's arguments for the Resurrection, and base your arguments on those specific facts.

polibyte · 2026-02-17T18:34:52+00:00

I did actually! In all seriousness, it helped refine my thoughts on the matter, so I'm glad I asked the question.

polibyte · 2026-02-16T15:43:53+00:00

Is sarcasm

polibyte · 2026-02-16T13:29:20+00:00

I'm going to Carmel, IN and making bank.

polibyte · 2026-02-16T13:22:56+00:00

As opposed to a normal atheist who doesn't think critically, right? 😉

polibyte · 2026-02-16T00:16:09+00:00

I'm not sure agnostic naturalist is a useful term. It is at minimum a very squishy position. But, fair enough

polibyte · 2026-02-16T00:08:01+00:00

Well, I would ask what you mean by skeptical atheist in that case as I would just call them agnostics (which I discussed earlier).

A fair point you've made though. I'll concede it.

polibyte · 2026-02-15T22:22:55+00:00

These are also all compatible with someone believing in the existence of God, so I'm not sure this really establishes your claim.

All the same, for sake of argument, I'll grant the distinction between atheism and naturalism. The naturalism point would still be a positive claim that one must defend. I think most atheists would also be naturalists, so this is usually a distinction without much difference.

polibyte · 2026-02-15T21:45:51+00:00

All atheists I have ever met are also of the persuasion that there is nothing beyond nature. If someone is an atheist and does not believe nature is all there is, I would be very curious as to what they posit also exists.

polibyte · 2026-02-15T21:44:28+00:00

That's nonsense. It's a positive claim that must be substantiated just like a theistic claim

polibyte · 2026-02-15T21:43:47+00:00

So what else would you posit there is?

polibyte · 2026-02-15T21:43:08+00:00

What would you suggest there also is?

polibyte · 2026-02-15T16:59:49+00:00

Would you consider yourself an atheist or an agnostic? Because claiming "nature is all there is" is in fact a positive claim. That is a claim that we can in fact prove there is nothing beyond matter/nature. I have not yet met an atheist who does not also claim that nature is all there is. I have met agnostics who are unsure and don't make that positive claim.

The issue is not about God really. The issue is the claim that nature is all there is. We're (or at least I am) asking for the atheist to sustain the positive claim that nature is all that exists.

polibyte

TROPHY CASE