Are the New Atheists Cowards?

Ok its a provocative title and will get plenty seeing red, but there is a legitimate point to this post. Often when arguing with those of the New Atheist variety, the especially militaristic type (not your brother-in-law that happens to identify as a non-believe in God), they like to deny that they have a positive belief system. Many will say that all atheism stands for is the non existence of God - there is no general metaphysical picture on origins or the meaning of life or what ever. Atheism is an entire belief system parasitic on Christianity.

But such a retort is cowardly. There is endless material from the New Atheists on how the biblical account of creation is non-scientific nonsense and how it is that a loving God can explain all the evil and suffering in the world. But often they will dodge any responsibility to explain anything but put the onus purely on the believer to come up with proof of God's existence.

Where this leads is New Atheist types sniping at Christian creeds but refusing to put out their own account of how the universe and life began (I suspect because materialist/naturalist alternatives are so obviously ridiculous fantasies of their own). Its easy to attack other people's beliefs but it is another thing to put your own out their as a viable alternative.

The second charge that can be laid at the feet of many the New Atheist type is hypocrisy. They revel in charges of bigotry, intolerance, homophobia, racism, at Christianity and its history, yet their own bigotry towards Christianity outstrips even the most wide eyed fundamentalists. They have no problems discharging all kinds of insults and put downs on scripture and believers. Many of them attack a silly caricature of the Christian God - as if he is some bearded old fellow in the sky - or just parrot NA talking points. Their number one charge is 'intolerance' but they are the most intolerant people of all.

And they are not bad at forcing their beliefs on others as this story illustrates.


Moanalua High School students in the award-winning orchestra have proudly raised $200,000 over the last 6 years through their annual holiday concert.

These students, who have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York three times, don’t keep the money to buy new instruments, travel abroad or help their school.

Instead, they send $30,000 they raise every year overseas to a well-known charity, Mercy Ships, which is current housing American doctors in Africa on a medical mission. These doctors help the poorest of residents – some who have never seen a doctor – with urgent medical and dental needs.

It is the students’ gift to the world during the holidays and their chance to make difference for others in need.

The seventh annual fundraiser was set for this weekend, and students have been practicing for months to ensure their performance was perfect.

But an atheist activist, who has shown up to protest city hall Christmas tree lighting ceremonies as well as city council hearings and legislative events where there is prayer, has turned up as their Christmas Grinch and put a stop to the kids’ best-laid plans just hours before the show.