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New Atheism criticism (view source)
Revision as of 12:12, November 1, 2016
, 12:12, November 1, 2016Created page with "Below are some of the main criticisms of the New Atehism movement. == New Atheism and its reputation for shallow arguments == Despite the frequent expressions of certa..."
Below are some of the main criticisms of the [[New Atehism]] movement.
== New Atheism and its reputation for shallow arguments ==
Despite the frequent expressions of certainty by new atheists. New Atheism has a reputation for shallow arguments. A frequent occurrence is that the works of new atheists often betray an amateurish knowledge of philosophy/religion.<ref>''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'' edited by Graham Oppy, Chapter 4, ''New Atheist Approaches to Religion'' by Trent Dougherty and Logan Paul Cage, page 52, see: [https://books.google.com/books?id=XXdKCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=new+atheism+amateur+philosophy+religion&source=bl&ots=1aheNZ4o2E&sig=ncZcNcpoGnUgWYmW3wEUXCp08MQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBGoVChMI2d39yrDkyAIVhDI-Ch35fAdR#v=onepage&q=new%20atheism%20amateur%20philosophy%20religion&f=false Google books excerpt]</ref><ref>http://www.alternet.org/media/47052?page=entire</ref> For example, atheist philosopher Dr. [[Michael Ruse]] declared concerning new atheist Richard Dawkins' book ''The God Delusion'': "''The God Delusion'' makes me embarrassed to be an atheist."<ref>http://www.alternet.org/media/47052?page=entire</ref> [[Vox Day]]'s book ''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]'' found multiple errors in reasoning and factual errors when it came to the works of new atheist authors.<ref>[http://creation.com/review-irrational-atheist-by-vox-day Excellent refutation of ‘new atheists’ flawed by heterodox open theism], A review of The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day, Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008, reviewed by Lita Cosner</ref> See also: [[Atheism and irrationality]]
== New Atheism and the media ==
''See also:'' [[Causes of the New Atheism movement#The rise and decline of New Atheism and the role of the media|New Atheism and the media]] and [[Atheism and the media]]
The new atheists Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins had prior experience dealing with the media and used the media to promote their best-selling new atheist books and to create a high level of media interest in the New Atheism movement.<ref>[http://www.secularismandnonreligion.org/articles/10.5334/snr.al/ Faithless: The politics of new atheism] by Steven Kettell, Secularism and Nonreligion website</ref>
On the other hand, due to their reporting of the [[Elevatorgate]] scandal and the events subsequent to Elevatorgate, the media helped cause a marked decline in the New Atheism movement (see: [[Causes of the New Atheism movement#The rise and decline of New Atheism and the role of the media|Decline of New Atheism and the media]]).
== New Atheism movement and contention between atheist men and women ==
''See also:'' [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[New Atheism and women]]
Founders of the New Atheism movement Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, have elevated the amount of contention between men and women within the atheist population and there are now frequently complaints from women that there is a significant amount of misogny within the atheist community and that its leadership is too heavily populated with men.<ref>[http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women?], Ms. Magazine</ref><ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am
*[http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015
</ref><ref>
*[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014
*[http://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2014/09/on-sam-harriss-reply-to-feminist-critics/ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics] by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014</ref>
=== Richard Dawkins and Elevatorgate ===
[[File:David-Allen-Green.jpg|thumbnail|200px|[[David Allen Green]] wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref> ]]
Elevatorgate is a term commonly used to describe a scandal involving new atheist Richard Dawkins' 2011 comments made to atheist [[Rebecca Watson]] which are perceived to have been inappropriate by a sizable portion of the atheist community and to the public at large.<ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am
*[http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015
</ref>
Subsequently, Richard Dawkins was widely criticized within the [[Atheist movement|atheist community]] and in various press outlets for his insensitive comments made to atheist Rebecca Watson about the incident which occurred in an elevator (see: [[Richard Dawkins' Elevatorgate comments|Richard Dawkins initial Elevatorgate comments]]).<ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]</ref>
According to Rebecca Watson atheist women are often punished for being outspoken - particularly when they speak about [[feminism]].<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref> In August 2013, Watson said the harassment she received from male atheists skyrocketed after Elevatorgate.<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref>
Furthermore, she said she still receives harassment from male fans of Richard Dawkins.<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref> The atheist feminist [[Sikivu Hutchinson]] concurs with Watson and says that sexual harassment has been institutionalized within the atheist movement and that atheist men have an investment in censoring, controlling and policing women and also have an investment in "male privilege".<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref>
==== Elevatorgate and negative press ====
The ''New Statesman'' reporter and fellow [[Philosophical skepticism|skeptic]] [[David Allen Green]] said he believed Dawkins was a [[sexism|misogynist]] and a racist.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref> In addition, Green wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref>
Elevatorgate created negative press for Richard Dawkins in a number of major news outlets (see: [[Elevatorgate news stories]]) and within the atheist movement/atheist population (see: [[Atheist movement]]). As a result of Elevatorgate, Dawkins popularity among atheists and the public at large plunged (see: [[Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]]).
See also: [[Internet atheism|Decline of internet atheism]] and [[Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms]]
=== Sam Harris and charges of misogny ===
[[File:Sam Harris 01.jpg|thumbnail|175px|left|[[Sam Harris]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and sexism]]
Like his fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris has raised the ire of [[feminism|feminists]].<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014</ref> See also: [[Elevatorgate]]
In 2014, Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “estrogen vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.<ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014</ref>
On October 3, 2014, ''Salon'' magazine published an online article titled, ''Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?''<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014</ref> On September 20, 2014, the feminist blogger Libby Anne wrote an article entitled ''Is Sam Harris Sexist?''<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014</ref> Atheist Sam Fincke wrote a piece entitled ''On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics''.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2014/09/on-sam-harriss-reply-to-feminist-critics/ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics] by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014</ref>
In his defense, Harris published an article on his website titled, ''“I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”''<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/im-not-the-sexist-pig-youre-looking-for “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”] by Sam Harris, September 15, 2014</ref>
== New Atheism and charges of Islamophobia ==
''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations]] and [[Atheism vs. Islam]] and [[New Atheism and Islamophobia]]
[[File:StarCresent.png|thumbnail|200px|right|According to Pew Forum, by 2030 Muslims are projected to make up 8% of Europe’s population.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe] by Conrad Hackett, Pew Forum, November 17, 2015</ref> See also: [[Atheism vs. Islam]]]]
The new atheists Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior.<ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> Dawkins is dismissive of the concept of Islamophobia and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-defends-ahmed-mohamed-comments-and-dismisses-islamophobia-as-a-non-word-10515389.html Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word'], ''Independent'', 24 September 2015</ref>
On December 28, 2015, the ''Daily Express'' reported about Dawkins:
{{cquote|The furious academic walked out of an interview when a Muslim journalist confirmed he personally believed the prophet [[Muhammad]] flew to heaven on a winged horse.
Dawkins, 74, author of best-seller The God Delusion, told the New Statesmen's Emad Ahmed that his belief was "pathetic" before angrily storming off.<ref>['Pathetic': Richard Dawkins in extraordinary outburst against Islam] by Jason Taylor, ''Daily Express'', December 28, 2015</ref>}}
On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of [[Islam]]/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April 2013</ref>
Christopher Hitchens displayed provocative rhetoric and bloodlust towards radical Islamacists.<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens''
By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref> At the opening of the [[David Horowitz]] Freedom Center, Hitchens said of radical Islamacists, "It is a pleasure and a duty to kill these people".<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens''
By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref> Hitchens said of [[Iran]], "As for that benighted country, I wouldn't shed a tear if it was wiped off the face of this earth”.<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens'' By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref>
On June 21, 2014 Harris published an article on his website entitled ''Response to Critics'' which was a response to his critics who accuse him of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/response-to-controversy Response to Critics] by Sam Harris, June 21, 2014</ref>
== New Atheism seen as a narrow and dogmatic religion ==
[[File:2402173645 c8e6168fe7.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Richard Dawkins]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism is a religion]] and [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheism and anger]]
Using special text analysis software, the social psychologist Jonathan Haidt found that New Atheists very often wrote in dogmatic terms in their major works using words such as “always,” “never,” “certainly,” “every,” and “undeniable.”<ref>[http://www.thisviewoflife.com/index.php/magazine/articles/why-sam-harris-is-unlikely-to-change-his-mind10 Why Sam Harris is Unlikely to Change his Mind] by JONATHAN HAIDT, February 3, 2014 8:36 pm</ref> Of the 75,000 words in Sam Harris's ''The End of Faith'', 2.24% of them connote or are associated with certainty.<ref>[http://www.thisviewoflife.com/index.php/magazine/articles/why-sam-harris-is-unlikely-to-change-his-mind10 Why Sam Harris is Unlikely to Change his Mind] by JONATHAN HAIDT, February 3, 2014 8:36 pm</ref>
In a 2014 ''New Republic'' article entitled ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins: His atheism is its own kind of narrow religion'', the atheist philosopher [[John Gray (philosopher)|John Gray]] wrote:
{{cquote|One might wager a decent sum of money that it has never occurred to Dawkins that to many people he appears as a comic figure. His default mode is one of rational indignation—a stance of withering patrician disdain for the untutored mind of a kind one might expect in a schoolmaster in a minor public school sometime in the 1930s. He seems to have no suspicion that any of those he despises could find his stilted pose of indignant rationality merely laughable. “I am not a good observer,” he writes modestly. He is referring to his observations of animals and plants, but his weakness applies more obviously in the case of humans. Transfixed in wonderment at the workings of his own mind, Dawkins misses much that is of importance in human beings—himself and others.<ref>[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119596/appetite-wonder-review-closed-mind-richard-dawkins ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins''], New Republic by John Gray</ref>}}
For more information, please see:
*[[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]]
*[[Atheist cults]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and pseudoscience]]
=== Cultish characteristics ===
''See also:'' [[Atheist cults]] and [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]]
The New Atheism movement, which has waned in recent years, was called a cult by the [[agnosticism|agnostic]], journalist Bryan Appleyard in a 2012 article in the ''New Statesman'' in which he describes the abusive behavior of New Atheists.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2012/02/neo-atheism-atheists-dawkins ''The God wars'' by Bryan Appleyard], ''New Statesman''</ref> Although the New Atheism movement does not perfectly fit the various characteristics of a cult, it does fit some of the characteristics.<ref>[http://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/how-cultish-is-new-atheism/ How cultish is the New Atheism?]</ref>
Most of the allegations around New Atheism being a cult have been due to the behavior of Richard Dawkins and his fans (see: [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]]).
=== Sociologist Stephen LeDrew on New Atheism and intolerance ===
The sociologist Stephen LeDrew declared about the new atheists:
{{Cquote|As I got to know these thinkers better, I began to see some of their ideas as quite dangerous—such as the intolerance they have for cultural diversity and some seeds of [[social Darwinism]]. So part of the motivation for it was that I think atheism can do much better than people like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris.<ref>[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/68423-sociologist-stephen-ledrew-on-the-rift-in-the-atheism-movement.html Sociologist Stephen LeDrew on the Rift in the Atheism Movement]</ref>}}
== Immaturity of new atheists ==
{{cquote|Nü Atheism is an adolescent movement. The adults who follow it have adolescent (or pre-adolescent) temperaments and personalities (Maher, Dawkins, [[Ricky Gervais|Gervais]], Myers etc) and it's grown in popularity since you have a large generational cohort reaching young adulthood and seeking to set themselves apart from their parents. But it's reactionary and petulant. A pose, not a philosophy.|||Christopher Loring Knowles<ref>[http://secretsun.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-church-and-black-swan.html "The Church and the Black Swan"], ''The Secret Sun'' 3.28.15.</ref>}}
== New Atheism and its reputation for shallow arguments ==
Despite the frequent expressions of certainty by new atheists. New Atheism has a reputation for shallow arguments. A frequent occurrence is that the works of new atheists often betray an amateurish knowledge of philosophy/religion.<ref>''The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion'' edited by Graham Oppy, Chapter 4, ''New Atheist Approaches to Religion'' by Trent Dougherty and Logan Paul Cage, page 52, see: [https://books.google.com/books?id=XXdKCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=new+atheism+amateur+philosophy+religion&source=bl&ots=1aheNZ4o2E&sig=ncZcNcpoGnUgWYmW3wEUXCp08MQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBGoVChMI2d39yrDkyAIVhDI-Ch35fAdR#v=onepage&q=new%20atheism%20amateur%20philosophy%20religion&f=false Google books excerpt]</ref><ref>http://www.alternet.org/media/47052?page=entire</ref> For example, atheist philosopher Dr. [[Michael Ruse]] declared concerning new atheist Richard Dawkins' book ''The God Delusion'': "''The God Delusion'' makes me embarrassed to be an atheist."<ref>http://www.alternet.org/media/47052?page=entire</ref> [[Vox Day]]'s book ''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]'' found multiple errors in reasoning and factual errors when it came to the works of new atheist authors.<ref>[http://creation.com/review-irrational-atheist-by-vox-day Excellent refutation of ‘new atheists’ flawed by heterodox open theism], A review of The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day, Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008, reviewed by Lita Cosner</ref> See also: [[Atheism and irrationality]]
== New Atheism and the media ==
''See also:'' [[Causes of the New Atheism movement#The rise and decline of New Atheism and the role of the media|New Atheism and the media]] and [[Atheism and the media]]
The new atheists Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins had prior experience dealing with the media and used the media to promote their best-selling new atheist books and to create a high level of media interest in the New Atheism movement.<ref>[http://www.secularismandnonreligion.org/articles/10.5334/snr.al/ Faithless: The politics of new atheism] by Steven Kettell, Secularism and Nonreligion website</ref>
On the other hand, due to their reporting of the [[Elevatorgate]] scandal and the events subsequent to Elevatorgate, the media helped cause a marked decline in the New Atheism movement (see: [[Causes of the New Atheism movement#The rise and decline of New Atheism and the role of the media|Decline of New Atheism and the media]]).
== New Atheism movement and contention between atheist men and women ==
''See also:'' [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[New Atheism and women]]
Founders of the New Atheism movement Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, have elevated the amount of contention between men and women within the atheist population and there are now frequently complaints from women that there is a significant amount of misogny within the atheist community and that its leadership is too heavily populated with men.<ref>[http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women?], Ms. Magazine</ref><ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am
*[http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015
</ref><ref>
*[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014
*[http://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2014/09/on-sam-harriss-reply-to-feminist-critics/ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics] by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014</ref>
=== Richard Dawkins and Elevatorgate ===
[[File:David-Allen-Green.jpg|thumbnail|200px|[[David Allen Green]] wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref> ]]
Elevatorgate is a term commonly used to describe a scandal involving new atheist Richard Dawkins' 2011 comments made to atheist [[Rebecca Watson]] which are perceived to have been inappropriate by a sizable portion of the atheist community and to the public at large.<ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am
*[http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015
</ref>
Subsequently, Richard Dawkins was widely criticized within the [[Atheist movement|atheist community]] and in various press outlets for his insensitive comments made to atheist Rebecca Watson about the incident which occurred in an elevator (see: [[Richard Dawkins' Elevatorgate comments|Richard Dawkins initial Elevatorgate comments]]).<ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]</ref>
According to Rebecca Watson atheist women are often punished for being outspoken - particularly when they speak about [[feminism]].<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref> In August 2013, Watson said the harassment she received from male atheists skyrocketed after Elevatorgate.<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref>
Furthermore, she said she still receives harassment from male fans of Richard Dawkins.<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref> The atheist feminist [[Sikivu Hutchinson]] concurs with Watson and says that sexual harassment has been institutionalized within the atheist movement and that atheist men have an investment in censoring, controlling and policing women and also have an investment in "male privilege".<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref>
==== Elevatorgate and negative press ====
The ''New Statesman'' reporter and fellow [[Philosophical skepticism|skeptic]] [[David Allen Green]] said he believed Dawkins was a [[sexism|misogynist]] and a racist.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref> In addition, Green wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref>
Elevatorgate created negative press for Richard Dawkins in a number of major news outlets (see: [[Elevatorgate news stories]]) and within the atheist movement/atheist population (see: [[Atheist movement]]). As a result of Elevatorgate, Dawkins popularity among atheists and the public at large plunged (see: [[Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]]).
See also: [[Internet atheism|Decline of internet atheism]] and [[Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms]]
=== Sam Harris and charges of misogny ===
[[File:Sam Harris 01.jpg|thumbnail|175px|left|[[Sam Harris]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and sexism]]
Like his fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris has raised the ire of [[feminism|feminists]].<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014</ref> See also: [[Elevatorgate]]
In 2014, Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “estrogen vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.<ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014</ref>
On October 3, 2014, ''Salon'' magazine published an online article titled, ''Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?''<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014</ref> On September 20, 2014, the feminist blogger Libby Anne wrote an article entitled ''Is Sam Harris Sexist?''<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014</ref> Atheist Sam Fincke wrote a piece entitled ''On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics''.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2014/09/on-sam-harriss-reply-to-feminist-critics/ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics] by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014</ref>
In his defense, Harris published an article on his website titled, ''“I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”''<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/im-not-the-sexist-pig-youre-looking-for “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”] by Sam Harris, September 15, 2014</ref>
== New Atheism and charges of Islamophobia ==
''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations]] and [[Atheism vs. Islam]] and [[New Atheism and Islamophobia]]
[[File:StarCresent.png|thumbnail|200px|right|According to Pew Forum, by 2030 Muslims are projected to make up 8% of Europe’s population.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe] by Conrad Hackett, Pew Forum, November 17, 2015</ref> See also: [[Atheism vs. Islam]]]]
The new atheists Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior.<ref>
*[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> Dawkins is dismissive of the concept of Islamophobia and declared: "I’m always being accused of Islamophobia, that’s a non-word."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-defends-ahmed-mohamed-comments-and-dismisses-islamophobia-as-a-non-word-10515389.html Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word'], ''Independent'', 24 September 2015</ref>
On December 28, 2015, the ''Daily Express'' reported about Dawkins:
{{cquote|The furious academic walked out of an interview when a Muslim journalist confirmed he personally believed the prophet [[Muhammad]] flew to heaven on a winged horse.
Dawkins, 74, author of best-seller The God Delusion, told the New Statesmen's Emad Ahmed that his belief was "pathetic" before angrily storming off.<ref>['Pathetic': Richard Dawkins in extraordinary outburst against Islam] by Jason Taylor, ''Daily Express'', December 28, 2015</ref>}}
On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of [[Islam]]/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April 2013</ref>
Christopher Hitchens displayed provocative rhetoric and bloodlust towards radical Islamacists.<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens''
By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref> At the opening of the [[David Horowitz]] Freedom Center, Hitchens said of radical Islamacists, "It is a pleasure and a duty to kill these people".<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens''
By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref> Hitchens said of [[Iran]], "As for that benighted country, I wouldn't shed a tear if it was wiped off the face of this earth”.<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens'' By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref>
On June 21, 2014 Harris published an article on his website entitled ''Response to Critics'' which was a response to his critics who accuse him of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/response-to-controversy Response to Critics] by Sam Harris, June 21, 2014</ref>
== New Atheism seen as a narrow and dogmatic religion ==
[[File:2402173645 c8e6168fe7.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Richard Dawkins]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism is a religion]] and [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheism and anger]]
Using special text analysis software, the social psychologist Jonathan Haidt found that New Atheists very often wrote in dogmatic terms in their major works using words such as “always,” “never,” “certainly,” “every,” and “undeniable.”<ref>[http://www.thisviewoflife.com/index.php/magazine/articles/why-sam-harris-is-unlikely-to-change-his-mind10 Why Sam Harris is Unlikely to Change his Mind] by JONATHAN HAIDT, February 3, 2014 8:36 pm</ref> Of the 75,000 words in Sam Harris's ''The End of Faith'', 2.24% of them connote or are associated with certainty.<ref>[http://www.thisviewoflife.com/index.php/magazine/articles/why-sam-harris-is-unlikely-to-change-his-mind10 Why Sam Harris is Unlikely to Change his Mind] by JONATHAN HAIDT, February 3, 2014 8:36 pm</ref>
In a 2014 ''New Republic'' article entitled ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins: His atheism is its own kind of narrow religion'', the atheist philosopher [[John Gray (philosopher)|John Gray]] wrote:
{{cquote|One might wager a decent sum of money that it has never occurred to Dawkins that to many people he appears as a comic figure. His default mode is one of rational indignation—a stance of withering patrician disdain for the untutored mind of a kind one might expect in a schoolmaster in a minor public school sometime in the 1930s. He seems to have no suspicion that any of those he despises could find his stilted pose of indignant rationality merely laughable. “I am not a good observer,” he writes modestly. He is referring to his observations of animals and plants, but his weakness applies more obviously in the case of humans. Transfixed in wonderment at the workings of his own mind, Dawkins misses much that is of importance in human beings—himself and others.<ref>[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119596/appetite-wonder-review-closed-mind-richard-dawkins ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins''], New Republic by John Gray</ref>}}
For more information, please see:
*[[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]]
*[[Atheist cults]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and pseudoscience]]
=== Cultish characteristics ===
''See also:'' [[Atheist cults]] and [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]]
The New Atheism movement, which has waned in recent years, was called a cult by the [[agnosticism|agnostic]], journalist Bryan Appleyard in a 2012 article in the ''New Statesman'' in which he describes the abusive behavior of New Atheists.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2012/02/neo-atheism-atheists-dawkins ''The God wars'' by Bryan Appleyard], ''New Statesman''</ref> Although the New Atheism movement does not perfectly fit the various characteristics of a cult, it does fit some of the characteristics.<ref>[http://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/how-cultish-is-new-atheism/ How cultish is the New Atheism?]</ref>
Most of the allegations around New Atheism being a cult have been due to the behavior of Richard Dawkins and his fans (see: [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]]).
=== Sociologist Stephen LeDrew on New Atheism and intolerance ===
The sociologist Stephen LeDrew declared about the new atheists:
{{Cquote|As I got to know these thinkers better, I began to see some of their ideas as quite dangerous—such as the intolerance they have for cultural diversity and some seeds of [[social Darwinism]]. So part of the motivation for it was that I think atheism can do much better than people like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris.<ref>[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/68423-sociologist-stephen-ledrew-on-the-rift-in-the-atheism-movement.html Sociologist Stephen LeDrew on the Rift in the Atheism Movement]</ref>}}
== Immaturity of new atheists ==
{{cquote|Nü Atheism is an adolescent movement. The adults who follow it have adolescent (or pre-adolescent) temperaments and personalities (Maher, Dawkins, [[Ricky Gervais|Gervais]], Myers etc) and it's grown in popularity since you have a large generational cohort reaching young adulthood and seeking to set themselves apart from their parents. But it's reactionary and petulant. A pose, not a philosophy.|||Christopher Loring Knowles<ref>[http://secretsun.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-church-and-black-swan.html "The Church and the Black Swan"], ''The Secret Sun'' 3.28.15.</ref>}}