Misunderstanding Religion: A Critique of the New Atheists

Since 2005 atheism has take hold of the public eye in a new way. Ardent atheists like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett have written books like The God Delusion and God is Not Great that directly challenge the place of religion in our society. Branded the "New Atheists," these men have publicly fought religion. This thesis looks at the antagonistic nature of their arguments, and attempts to demonstrate the inherent shortcomings of those arguments. Hopefully, understanding the limitations of the New Atheists can help us find a better, more productive way to live without belief.