Blogcritics Comments on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Comment by Jordan Richardson on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:58:12 EDT

Jennifer, I can assure you that there are MANY fundamentalists in my midst (try an entire family!) and I'm more than pleased to spend time with them, eat with them, drink with them, and discuss theology with them. I think the point of Garrison's book and of this entire discourse is to laugh at ourselves for all of the interesting things we believe and all of the ways we believe them. Specifically, I think "fundamentalist" is really a relative term, just like "left-wing" and "right-wing" are relative terms. It all depends on where you stand. In terms of this particular book, fundamentalists are generally defined as Biblical inerrantists, conservatives, etc. It may be inaccurate and stereotypical, but that's generally how the public discourse runs in these circles. I think labeling, sadly, tends to be easier than getting to know people individually.

Comment by Jennifer Bogart on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:27:51 EDT

Hmm, curious to know your definition of a 'fundamentalist' as well :). I might fall into that classification in your opinion. Oh no! There may be one in your midsts ;).

Comment by Jordan Richardson on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:11:17 EDT

The "New Atheist" is essentially a sort of "pop term" that was created to refer to the latest and seemingly sudden crop of atheist authors and atheist literature that seemed to arrive around the same time to capture in on current events. Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins are the three Garrison focuses on here, but Christopher Hitchens is often considered one of them too. She was unable to procure any material from Hitch's book, sadly (his publishers would not allow her to excerpt god is not Great), but he does remain one of the more popular of the "group." I'm always a little wary using that term, namely because the brand of atheism is certainly not new. I think the term is used to describe the approach of these individuals more than the philosophy, as they appear to be almost evangelical (with some exceptions) in their approach and make the case that the atheists have been the "silent majority" for far too long, especially in the United States. That's not to say that there aren't fair messages within the group, as I've enjoyed the books Garrison discusses immensely as well. For more on the "New Atheists" and some of the paragons of the "movement," check this out and possibly this one. Hope that helps.

Comment by duane on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:00:52 EDT

Jordan, you say the author is Unrelenting in her desire to expose the "New Atheists" for what they are..... What are they? And what exactly is a "New Atheist"? Thanks.

Comment by Jordan Richardson on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:59:24 EDT

No, the caricatures, tone, and foundation of the modern debate are often outlandish and, luckily, ripe for satire. The debate itself has been occurring since the beginning of time and is of central significance to our lives, at least for the most part. There are those who obviously feel no reason to debate or even discuss the idea of spirituality, God, gods, religion, atheism, and so on. I often envy those people.

Comment by David Windhorst on Book Review: The New Atheist Crusaders and Their Unholy Grail by Becky Garrison

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:55:13 EDT

Debating things such as the role of religion in society and the evidence for a deity are "outlandish"?