The New Atheist Movement in the West — An Analytical and Critical Study
Here is a recording of part of the defense (which includes an introduction in English):
The following is a summary of the thesis:
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, a movement emerged in the West commonly referred to as “The New Atheism”. This movement consisted of secular humanist intellectuals from various Western countries, headed by some contemporary Western atheists, most notably: Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. They, along with others, authored and published a number of books that rose to prominence in Western society, which were also translated into several languages, including Arabic. This movement clearly left its mark on the contemporary wave of atheism – both domestically and internationally – such that many of today’s leading atheists are found to ascribe to the ideology of this movement.
As for the direction of this movement, which distinguishes it from the general direction of traditional atheism that has prevailed in the West, it is better described as being hostile to religion in general – and to Islam in particular – than to be described as establishing proofs for atheism, which is the denial of the existence of God. The central theme of discourse of the movement is that religion must not be tolerated; it must be confronted, criticized, and exposed in every way possible, even if resorting to harshness and hostile tactics. The general discourse of this movement has been characterized as having clear traits of intellectual terrorism, as it is strongly based on verbal abuse and vicious tactics, especially that which concerns the foundations of the Islamic faith and the sanctities of Muslims.
Through this thesis, I have sought to define the New Atheist movement, to shed light on the factors that led to its emergence, to identify the most prominent figures who have led the movement, to show the impact of the movement on Western society, and to explain the most important foundations upon which the movement has been built and the most prominent features that characterize it. I then presented the most important issues and topics dealt with by the New Atheist movement, along with a critique from three perspectives: in light of the Islamic faith, in light of modern science in the West, and from the perspective of Western researchers. I then concluded the thesis by bringing to light the level of danger that the New Atheist movement poses on Muslims, searching on ways to confront and counter the movement, and highlighting some contemporary Islamic efforts that have been made in confronting the movement, along with an assessment of those efforts and ways to improve them.
I ask Allah to make this work to have been solely for His sake, and that He accepts it and brings benefit out of it.
Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
17th of Shaʿbān 1440