The Blog Of Dysfunction

Apparently the greatest happening of the gone year is the emergence of a sub species of human beings named Homo sapiens neoatheisens (HSN) lovingly named “the new atheists” by the populace. Thus all creationist claims of no one having ever observed the emergence of a new species/subspecies are no longer valid. Apparently the creationist camp is licking its wounds and preparing a study that proves that the new sub species are actually nothing but an orangutan subspecies that were till now unknown, and the discovery was a fabrication by pro-evolution fanatics.

HSN have been described extensively in both scholarly and popular science media, one description that appeared in a weird magazine was surprisingly named “The Crusade Against Religion“. The specific characters that have been pointed out are;

They condemn not just belief in God but respect for belief in God. Religion is not only wrong; it’s evil. Now that the battle has been joined, there’s no excuse for shirking.

Apparently they have already developed a life-purpose and motto of sorts

No heaven. No hell. Just science.

That is quiet fast considering the popularly held notion that these are a new species.

Not to be beaten to the breaking news other journals also have reported them. Without God, Gall Is Permitted says the opinion journal. They are quick to point out a seemingly negative adaptation that is dangerous to their survival.

The new atheists fail too often simply for want of charm or skill. Twenty-first century atheism hasn’t found its H.G. Wells or its George Bernard Shaw, men who flattered their audiences, excited them and persuaded them by making them feel intelligent. Here is Sam Harris, for instance, addressing those who wonder if destroying human embryos in the process of stem cell research might be morally dicey: “Your qualms . . . are obscene.”

The atheists say that they are addressing believers. Rationalists all, can they believe that believers would be swayed by such contumely and condescension? They seem instead to be preaching to people exactly like themselves–a remarkably incurious elite.

The opposing camp has had many responses ranging from hell and brimstone curses on them to blissful ignorance or purposeful indifference . Dr Albert Mohler says in his commentary “The New Atheism?” that the authenticity and veracity of the claims of the HSN are far from agreeable. (not a good choice of words eh? but I just love using long academic sounding words).

What Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett–along with the other New Atheists–really demand is that society must place itself in the hands of a new and militant atheistic priesthood. Science as defined by these new priests, would serve as the new sacrament and as the means of salvation.

Interestingly he does not comment on how one must handle the upcoming species, just quotes them extensively and makes comments on them. He however, does dismiss them as impotent and recycled arguments in another commetary on a leader of the HSN

In the end, Sam Harris is certain, like so many opponents of Christianity before him, that the Christian faith will simply pass away.

“Religious faith — faith that there is a God who cares what name He is called, faith that Jesus is coming back to earth . . . is on the wrong side of an escalating war of ideas,” he insists.

Like I said . . . it’s been said before.

Another strong voice has more interesting things to say. Ben Witherington in a post titled Angry Apostles of Atheism Attack;

But why exactly do atheists have their knickers in a knot these days? I mean its not like they have ever been the majority in the landscape of humanity. Indeed, from what we can tell they have always been a tiny minority. Maybe that’s why they are so angry. I mean we are supposed to be not only in the age of reason, we are supposed to be in the space age, ‘boldly going where no one has gone before’. And maybe this is one reason for the proud man’s contumely. They just can’t understand why people are still bothering to believe all this ‘religious’ stuff. Their attitude is so very different from that chronicled in John Updike’s ‘In the Beauty of the Lilies’ where someone gradually loses their faith, and ends up sad about it. Nope, the attitude of these folks is “Flame On!” to borrow a phrase from one of my childhood Marvel Comic heroes. And ‘me thinks they protesteth too much.’

I mean when is the last time you found people ranting and raving for so long about something or someone who, according to them, doesn’t even exist? I don’t see people writing angry diatribes shouting “Unicorns Aren’t Real– Get Over it!”. In fact I don’t even see many Grinches writing best sellers entitled “Santa Claus is a myth”. And actually there are a good number of people who believe in one or both of those creatures. Could it be that one has to really get angry and go into denial about God, precisely because even these atheists are created in God’s image, and they are trying to exorcise that influence? Well, its worth pondering.

He goes on to say in a very readable and very long post what he thinks of the HSN (actually what he thinks the bible thinks of them)

Long ago the Psalmist had a word for Professor Dawkins– it goes like this “The fool says in his heart, there is no God” (Ps. 14). How foolish indeed to confidently deny the existence of a Being simply because one has not yet personally found Him or been found by Him. This is the very definition of a lost, and in the end, unintelligent and unwise creature, standing as he does against the backdraft of the posture and position of most of the most brilliant minds in all ages of history, and spitting into the prevailing wind.

Takes some gall, I tell you, to call a much academically-decorated proffesor at oxford an ass, but then what’s the world without some strong opinions.

I know, I know, y’all have been reading and waiting patiently for this section when I,  the schizo propound my pennies (I don’t like the sound of that word) thoughts on the issue so her goes.

Well, in short I have good reason to believe and conclude that the so called “New atheist” is actually nothing but a spin off of the age old sub species the “Anti-Theist”

I must add that though the term anti-theist is often considered synonymous to the term “anti-christ” I personaly hold no such notions.

The new atheist is an anti-theist, armed with science, preaching the gospel according to science and ready to live and die for the principles of science. All this is highly laudable of course.

Of course, while some people would accuse anti theists for burning buildings and flying aeroplanes into buildings, this new breed does nothing of that sort. At the most they will be found spewing various scientific terms for four letter words in various science and atheism related blogs on the net. And their anger and frustration mingled with mirth and pity is directed at the main species which is according to them is a bunch of deluded self righteous babbling shallow fools. (refer discussions at science blogs like this and this, Mind you I read these regularly bec they are good.)
Now, you may all stand and applaud.

Ciao

schizo

Tags Atheism Richard Dawkins Apologetics New Atheist