Author: Mawlana Abdul Rahman Mu'tasimi
The Phenomenon of Atheism and Ways to Combat It (Part 6)
Modern Atheism
“Modern Atheism” is a journalistic term used to describe the ideas promoted by 21st-century atheists. This new approach has been developed by critics of religion and religious thought. This movement is often associated with the thoughts of individuals such as Richard Dawkins (biologist), Daniel Dennett (philosopher), Sam Harris (neuroscientist), Christopher Hitchens (religion critic), Victor Stenger, and, to some extent, Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The first four are referred to as the “Four Horsemen.” Thinkers and writers who advocate this viewpoint believe that the superstitions of religion and its irrationality should not be tolerated easily; rather, whenever religious thought infiltrates government, education, and politics, it should be confronted with criticism and exposure.
Several books published by these authors between 2004 and 2007, which also made it to the bestseller lists, form the foundation of many discussions on Modern Atheism.
On September 30, 2007, four well-known atheists—Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett—met in a private discussion that lasted two hours at Hitchens’ residence in Washington, D.C. This event was recorded and published under the title “The Four Horsemen.”
Sam Harris, the author of the nonfiction books “The End of Faith,” “Letter to a Christian Nation,” “The Moral Landscape,” and “Waking Up,” offers a guide to spirituality without religion. The publication of “The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason” in 2004 by Harris was followed by the release of several other books by atheist authors. Harris directly attributed the events of September 11, 2001, to Islam, and he also criticized Christianity and Judaism. Two years later, Harris continued his writing with “Letter to a Christian Nation,” which includes a strong critique of Christianity.
Richard Dawkins, the author of “The God Delusion” and previously the documentary “The Root of All Evil?” aired on Channel 4 in the UK, released “The God Delusion” in 2006 after making the documentary. The book spent 51 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Christopher Hitchens was the author of “God Is Not Great.” In 2010, Hitchens published his memoir “Hitch-22.” Shortly after the release of this book, Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which led to his death in December 2011.
Daniel Dennett is the author of “Darwin’s Dangerous Idea,” “Breaking the Spell,” and many other works. In these books, he refers to the events of September 11, suggesting that there was a religious motivation behind them. Additionally, the success of the Discovery Institute in introducing creationist ideas into American textbooks and George W. Bush’s support for it in 2005 were presented by Harris, Dennett, Dawkins, Stenger, and Hitchens as evidence of the need to move toward a more secular society.
In 2010, Tom Flynn, in an article titled “Why I Don’t Believe in Modern Atheism,” referred to Modern Atheism and the books by the Four Horsemen of Atheism. He claimed that what is called “Modern Atheism” today is neither a movement nor new. However, what is new is the publication of atheistic thoughts by prominent publishers, their readership by millions, and their placement on bestseller lists.
Dr. Fallah Abd Mohammad Delimi, who has conducted extensive and profound studies on Modern Atheism, refers to these books in his own book titled “Modern Atheism,” stating: “In fact, I have read these books several times, especially Richard Dawkins’ book, and I found it to be an empty book filled with logical fallacies and containing no scientific information other than a sarcastic philosophical approach and audacity of disbelief.”
The main motivation behind the facade of Modern Atheism appears to be a strong animosity towards Islam. Modern Atheism initially targets the political system of Islam and subsequently aims at Islam itself, encompassing all forms of religion and belief in God within its scope.
Glenn Greenwald, a journalist residing in Toronto and commentator on Middle Eastern issues, along with Morteza Hossein, author of “Nathan Knapp’s Hall,” researchers Vid Jacobi and Hakan Yuz, and religious historian William Emilsen, have accused the Modern Atheism movement of Islamophobia. Vid Jacobi and Hakan Yuz claim that a group of New Atheists, such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, have utilized Samuel Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations to explain current political conditions, thus playing a role in “Islamophobia in the study of Muslim societies.” William Emilsen argues that the term “new” in Modern Atheism does not refer to their aggression, unusual popularity, or scientific approach to religion; rather, it indicates their attack not only on militant Islam but also on Islam itself, cloaked under the guise of a general critique of religions. Morteza Hossein has claimed that leading figures in the Modern Atheism movement have draped a veneer of scientific credibility over political prejudice, a prejudice that is politically advantageous today.
Dr. Fallah Abd Mohammad Delimi, who discusses this matter in detail in his book titled “The Modern Atheism,” writes: “Atheism has roots throughout history, but the events of September 11, 2001, which targeted the Twin Towers in the United States, provoked a furious reaction. The term ‘Modern Atheism’ became prevalent after the September 11 incident. As soon as the Twin Towers collapsed, the groundwork for a global campaign against Islam and Islamic thought began, and voices, especially in the West, specifically called for the elimination of Islam and accused it of terrorism.
Additionally, campaigns were launched to declare that Islam has no place in the world. Today, there is a growing trend to question and distort Islam from both within and outside, targeting its beliefs, laws, and principles. Following these events, a transformation occurred in Western media, which eagerly promoted atheism and engaged with atheistic topics such as discussions about God and even Modern Atheism; figures like Richard Dawkins became symbols and stars addressing Western societies in various ways.” Richard Dawkins, the famous author and atheist, stated that his Modern Atheism movement was a response to the events of September 11, 2001. These events transformed Dawkins from a peaceful atheist into a fundamentalist and hostile atheist against Islam.
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