ReligionDispatches.org

Anthony B. Pinn.

An atheist convention, attended by premier nonbelievers Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, inspires some reflections on the virtue of a positive, productive humanism, rather than the anti-theism that dominates the discourse.

Philip Clayton.

The New Atheists, armed with swords and cudgels, are still doing old-fashioned battle with religion; but they haven't noticed that the skirmish may have passed them by. Are religion and science poised for a truce?

Frank Schaeffer.

Does morality come from religion or is it merely “the language games of one’s time”? Are the most basic moral boundaries we evolved that make life easier and less chaotic a reflection of the character of God? If there is no God, or if He doesn’t care about us, then our common morality is still the result of practical, reality-based needs, which also “teach” that a good life depends on the “Do unto others…” ethic.

S. Brent Plate.

Simply put: Font matters. Is it possible that the most pervasive typeface of late capitalism—Helvetica—is telling us what the gods wish: Do not worry. Trust in me. Put your value here, and you will be rewarded?

Konstantin Petrenko.

We should not overlook the New Atheists’ support for science, progressive views and legitimization of non-belief as a viable alternative. Unfortunately, their record is also marked by an intolerance of religious people and the alienation of potential progressive allies.

Ronald Aronson.

Buried in the results of a recent survey is the fact that secularists may now be one of America’s largest minorities—larger than gays or African Americans. Will nonbelievers, traditionally one of the most loathed demographics, begin to feel their oats and demand greater recognition in the public square?

Eric Reitan.

Are believers in God crazy? Are atheists? Philosopher Eric Reitan explains why he finds the ideas of the Dawkins-Hitchens crowd wanting and why readers—atheist or theist—who want to cheer and pump their fists as “their guy” strikes back against the opponent should read something else.

Candace Chellew-Hodge.

A recent editorial from a lesbian seeking ordination in the Presbyterian Church is scorned by LGBT readers: Who needs the “OK” from an imaginary friend anyway?

Michael J. Altman.

When science moves from observation and description to assigning value, it veers into the sacred.

Arri Eisen.

A recent New Republic book review argued that science and religion cannot be reconciled. In response, biologist Arri Eisen suggests that we acknowledge the ‘pink elephant’—the thorny questions that arise when religion and science meet—and use it as an opportunity to teach and learn about the conflicting perspectives.

Bruce Ledewitz.

In an interview with Bruce Ledewitz on his forthcoming Hallowed Secularism, the law professor tells RD that the so-called New Atheists want to lead secularists, many of whom know very little about religion, into opposition to religion. But for secularism to be healthy, he says, it must learn from the wisdom of the religious traditions.

Nathan Schneider.

On the occasion of Darwin’s birthday, a toast to the enduring spirit of “the other side” of the Pandora’s Box opened by his remarkable insight.

S. Brent Plate.

...as do Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. Upon viewing Bill Maher's Religulous the author asks: Why are the so-called New Atheists using the archaic and theologically conservative definition of religion pushed by home-schoolers?

Nathan Schneider.

A leading evangelical takes on the "God is dead" crowd in the flagship journal of the conservative movement, but, our writer argues, neither theists nor atheists will win this argument until they stop misrepresenting each other and misinforming their readers...