For those who may not know, "New Atheism" is (in a nutshell) the collected ideas and writing of prominent 21st century atheists. It takes a different approach from, for lack of a better term, traditional atheism which tolerated religion; It claims that, because of scientific progress, religion, faith and superstition need to be criticized and exposed to rational arguments. Some of the leading individuals of this movement include Dawkins, Harris, Stenger and the late Htchens.



I myself am an Agnostic Atheist, but there is just something off-putting about those who subscribe to New Atheism. I don't want to say that it is militancy, because, realistically, militant atheists write books at the most. While militant Christians bomb abortion clinics and radical Islamists suicide bomb whatever they can.



It's also not the fact that it criticizes faith and religion. I do that all the time and, likewise, people have criticized my lack of belief. A good debate is always good to have, as long as people try to maintain some composure. Besides, there is nothing "new" about an Atheist using logic to criticize religion.



Honestly, I think it is because the N.A. movement has almost made itself into what atheists don't have: a religion. During arguments, many will refer to one of the many books written by the various authors to reinstate their claims and there have been quite a few atheists I have seen that have gone beyond just admiring people like Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens. That type of commitment (and almost obsession) with any ideology is quite religious in any context; just don't tell that to any of them. They won't like that.



Also, on a semi-related note, what do you think of TheAmazingAtheist?

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