While in the middle of some interesting back-and-forth’s with a couple atheists lately, I got an email from Word on Fire, the ministry of Bishop Barron. There was a new video up on YouTube of him discussing the rise and fall of the New Atheism.
I geek out on this stuff even though, again, I maintain I am not an evangelist. Not my charism. But it was my favorite evangelist (Bishop Barron) talking about a book written by my other favorite evangelist (Jason Brierley). Oh goodie!
The subject of both the video and Brierley’s new book is the rise and fall of the New Atheism movement which burst on the scene in the 2000’s and had a good run. I came into my own as a young adult when the horsemen of the New Atheism were in full gallop. I watched debates with Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins going toe to toe with Christian apologists. I was still learning about the arguments, still wondering, and at times doubting my faith.
It’s interesting to be on this side of my faith. Then I was a Protestant. Now I am Catholic. I remember again the horror of especially the ethical system – or lack thereof – seemingly inherent in atheism. I couldn’t wrap my head around how getting rid of religion would make mankind more humane. I probably still can’t.
At any rate, below is Bishop Barron’s thoughts on this phenomenon. I don’t know that it is really on its way out, but stepping back and taking a good look at it again after a couple decades is worth the time.
Catholic Anonymous 
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