The recent rise of the New Atheism has aroused great general interest, thrown up questions of fundamental importance, and started a fascinating conversation. Why God Won't Go Away invites us to join in. The volume opens with a survey of the main ideas of the New Atheism, as expressed in the works of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. We then examine the core views of the movement closely, making due reference to its 'virtual community' of websites and blogs. Subjects explored include: whether religion is delusional and evil, the belief that human beings are fundamentally good, whether we should have faith only in what can be proved through reason and science, the idea that the best hope for humanity is a 'New Enlightenment' The result is a lively and highly thought-provoking volume that poses a number of interesting questions. Why is religion experiencing a resurgence in the twenty-first century, when we are meant to have grown out of such a primitive fixation? Has the New Atheism's fascination with rationality led to a fatal underestimation of the longing of the human heart to adore? And if, as Christopher Hitchens writes in exasperation, religion is 'ineradicable', doesn't this tiresome fact suggest that dismissing belief in God as irrational and unscientific might just be a waste of time?

About the Author
Alister McGrath is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and a prolific author. His bestselling volume The Dawkins Delusion? has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide in 17 languages, and his other books for SPCK include The Landscape of Faith, Mere Theology and Enriching Our Vision of Reality.

Reviews
McGrath's book, in my view, conclusively refutes any claim that "reason and science" can claim some sort of rational superiority to "reason and religion", and is a masterly expose of the moral pretensions of the "new atheism". -- Keith Ward * Church Times *
Why God Won't Go Away simply demolishes New Atheism in all departments and in every respect . . . There's no way back for it from this. And to think that mild-mannered Alister McGrath delivered the fatal blow. Priceless. * The Church of England Newspaper *
Armed with McGrath, the message is clear - it's time for Christians to embrace science and philosophy without fear, and defend Christianity from the misleading rhetoric of the militant atheists. * Christianity magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780281063871
Author Alister McGrath
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 179g