Lecture 10: Christianity and the New Atheism

Question 1

Give four criticisms of sacred texts according to new atheists.

Answer 1

• Ancient
• Don’t present scientific knowledge
• Too tolerant of behavior and role models that don’t live up to atheists’ standard
• Promote faith

Question 2

New atheists associate anyone with faith as what?

Answer 2

Unintelligent

Question 3

According to the new atheism, where does religion come from?

Answer 3

It is a byproduct of evolution.

Question 4

New atheists fail to grasp what with regard to metaphysical claims?

Answer 4

Even scientific study relies upon faith claims that cannot be proven, such as faith that the world can be grasped and order can be discerned.

Question 5

Define altruism.

Answer 5

A disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Question 6

Give three reasons why the new atheist criticism is unfair.

Answer 6

• Only addresses fundamentalists
• Ignorant of Christian history
• Doesn’t acknowledge separation and church of state has not decreased violence

Question 7

According to the new atheism, faith has lead to what?

Answer 7

Evil actions in the world, and thus should be rejected.

Question 8

How are the new atheists similar to fundamentalists?

Answer 8

They both reject any kind of tolerance.

Question 9

How do the new atheists differ from Nietzsche, Camus, and Sartre?

Answer 9

The old atheists did not think abandoning religion would fix anything. They believed people were just too weak to realize the meaninglessness of live and to create the strength to form their own moral code.

Question 10

According to the new atheism, a better moral code can be developed how?

Answer 10

Without appealing to a higher power.