Is New Atheism irrational?

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[donchristianmarkham]

Been thinking about this issue recently, and seen some rational atheist YouTubers decry that too many modern atheists are hyper-tribalist and decide based on emotion.

I'm Christian (aside from my name, ha ha), but my brother is staunchly atheist and one of the most rational, moral, and empathetic people I know. We have wonderful dispassionate, deep discussions, and respect each other's perspectives and conclusions. Some of what you bring up in this video is along what we've discussed.

Thanks so much for this and all your videos.

[schwarzerritter]

I had many Atheists explain to me the burden of proof is always on the side making the claim. Then they explained why claims they make are true until proven wrong.

[idiotproofdalek]

Can you show how the treatment of children and human rights emerged from the actual religion? Do you have scriptural instances of this following from the texts? Why did this stuff take so long to catch on...? Not all peoples in the ancient world committed infanticide, so where did those people get their morality from?

[Hart]

That's why you don't put yourself into a tribe. I'm an atheist and I would never go out to find people to fight by arguing. But when someone claims bullshit I will call them out and if they are willing I will debate them for hours no matter if it's about religion, flat earth or other things.

[godinios]

A very tricky subject to address. Lack of a holistic approach to humanity's endeavours while keeping a balanced perspective on historical facts and events leads many to serious misconceptions about religion. Excellent work as usual Mr Malone.

[idiotproofdalek]

Please watch more debates about religion please. You use the same discredited argument about ‘atheistic regimes’ with regards to atrocities which shows me you’re not acquainted with the material.

[shawandrew]

14:20. Nothing from evolution has to do with chance. Religious people are always saying evolution = chance. Where do you get this from?

[TheBatman]

I have a atheistic viewpoint and as much as I dislike religion, I understand that it does actually give people hope (even if false) when they are having problems in their life and it helps them cope, so religion can be very positive.

So I may agree with the fact that religion can cause alot of problems in the world, myself as an American still believes anyone has the right to practice free religion, period.

[prixat]

You're taking a nuanced approach to religion but reducing 'New Atheism' to a book title.
You're ignoring the distinction between 'being a christian and doing something'...
and 'doing something because you're a christian'.
By 'Atheist' regimes, I assume you mean Stalin and Mao. Have you considered that they implemented atheism for exactly the same reason that the First Commandment is "Thou shalt have no other gods..."?

[lucofparis]

Please here me out. I am an agnostic atheist. What this means is that I rejected every belief hold by religions, yet recognized that I didn't know whether or not God exists, in the deist sense, or even in the core Christian sense (restricted to Christ only here).
With that out of the way, I am not one and the same with those so called other atheists, that are, in fact, what we should call antitheists. It means that not only they don't believe, they also claim they KNOW God doesn't exist, and use this so called knowledge as a motivation to actively side against religions. I find this irrational, at least to some level: you could make reasonable arguments to prove the non existence of theist Gods, by reasoning by inference. But what would it have to do with the opposition to "Churches" as a whole? There is no logical link between the two. The fact others believe something you think you know isn't true doesn't mean you have to fight them. In fact, it would be quite the opposite. More to that, I find weird the fact that those antitheists have a strong focus on Christianity. Something I find ridiculous and wasteful, since Christianity is the single most tolerant, rational, philosophical, and moral core belief in this world. Even more so, atheism effectively exists due to the way Christianity works. So why would antitheists even bother to attack them? Nonsense. Finally, let's examine the giant scimitar wielding elephant in the room: Islam.
There is to Islams. Muslims' Islam, and Caliphate's Islam. The first one is a religion that still has to complete its journey towards peace and stability. Yet, it is a religion that is more or less harmless, despite how horrible some verses are in Quran and Sunna. The second one is not a religion. It is a political project. So antitheism should ends there. Then starts anti-authoritarianism, which is what the rejection of political Islam is. That perfectly fine, and has nothing to do with antitheism. In fact, it should even be a strong stance of ANY Christian as well.

[Cougaraphics]

Love your videos, man. Excellent articulation of your point of view, and a breath of fresh air. Respect!

[hebruixe]

Interesting discussion. I'm the son of a pastor/theologian and I'm someone who held very strong religious beliefs up until about age 30. I ultimately became an atheist...not because I considered religion toxic or dangerous, but because I doubted in God's existence.

I totally agree with you that Christianity has made the world a better place. And I strongly believe that the world would be better off WITH a living God than without one. The problem I think is that it is without one. Despite religion's virtues, it offers a lot of empty promises and false hope.

[Popsy]

Hi, what are your thoughts on the new age movement? Do you feel it's possible to believe in GOD in your own way or choose to see the truths behind all religions(Omnism) do you feel that all religions that use "Treat others as you would like to be treated" or the ten commandments as their base line might all have originated from a 'one true religion, or a original religion? Thank you, I enjoy seeing another Kiwi online.

[Super-Sheepy]

Christianity also brought us renaissance art and science, I was brought up religious, no longer the case but I don't rule anything out and neither do alot of scientist's and I consider it religious to belive there is no God without doubt, its OK to say you don't see the chance there is one but to say others are wrong is like a guy on the street with a mic saying 'your going to hell'

[Zerobob]

Let me give you a real life example of how irrational religion is. I met a girl recently, we liked each other, but when she found out I wasn't religious she wouldn't date me further. She wouldn't accept the love of another human being based purely on the fact my religious beliefs didn't match hers. In reality, this is what religion does to society; It divides it.

[Cato]

Great video. Well-argued. The only mistake was the nonstandard word, irregardless. It should be regardless or irrespective.

[maraskin]

I'm so happy to hear that message!

[occultnightingale]

As someone who has been very...religiously confused for over a decade, I personally can't nail down my understanding of the world, either in rationalism or in religion. But one thing that does irritate me about the "Rationalist" position, at least concerning Sam Harris and those who agree with him, is his supposed position where he is willing to look for the good in religion, while simultaneously equating religious belief with dogmatic belief, and claiming that the two are intrinsic to each other. It really comes off as mere lip service to get more religious people to listen to him just so he can try to pry them out of their belief.

I found his and Jordan Peterson's discussion about the utility of religion to be very interesting, if only because I love watching to very intelligent people hashing out ideas together.

[weediestbroom]

Any way of living that promotes peace is good thing. Most religions preach peace, but few of them follow the practice

[pragmaticcynicism]

Hitchen's argument is simply that everything good that comes from religion can be had without it.