Chris Mooney: New Atheists’ attack on religion is counter-productive

Chris Mooney is the author of The Republican War on Science, Storm World, and Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future (co-authored by Sheril Kirshenbaum). He is also an atheist who, for years, has engaged with believers on the validity of religious claims. He strongly believes that those who respect the scientific method should question religious claims. In this interview with D.J. Grothe at Point of Inquiry, however, Mooney takes on the New Atheists (starting here at about the 10:30 minute mark). Instead of attacking religions, Mooney advocates that we should promote scientific literacy. Yes, we should refute the baseless claims of fundamentalists, but it is equally critical to "mobilize the religious moderates," and not alienate them by attacking all religions. Mooney argues that the New Atheists have painted with much too broad a brush, and that they have used an aggressive tone that achieves "nothing at all." He points to P.Z. Myers as being one of the most prominent culprits.

Continue ReadingChris Mooney: New Atheists’ attack on religion is counter-productive

Bill Maher discusses Religulous with Mike Huckabee.

In this video, Bill Maher discusses Religulous with Mike Huckabee.  It's all quite civil, though both sides work hard to make their points. Watching this video makes me relived that at least some people on the national stage can discuss these serious issues without undue heat (that tone is what…

Continue ReadingBill Maher discusses Religulous with Mike Huckabee.