Book Review: Why God Won't Go Away

Since I have a bachelors of arts degree with a major in theology, I was looking forward to reading about a rebuttal to the new atheists that I have been hearing a lot about. Well, I was given the chance, as I was sent Why God Won't Go Away: Is the New Atheism Running on Empty? by Alister McGrath.

Why God Won't Go Away: Is the New Atheism Running on Empty? begins with an introduction to Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, the four "Horsemen" or leaders of the new Atheism movement. McGrath does a good job of describing what each one's beliefs are and where they stand. I enjoyed this section as I was aware of "New Atheism," however I did not really understand it.

Following this introduction to the New Atheists, McGrath offers a discussion about what atheism is and they the new atheism is really anti-theism. In other words, McGrath argues that new theism is really against all religion in general. The New Atheists believe that there is no God and they are utterly opposed to any form of religious belief or practice. McGrath uses rational, faith, science and reasoning to rebuke the claims of the new atheists and to argue that God will continue to be in our world. McGrath ends his book by offering readers a list of further reading so that the reader can look into further reading on the topic if they would like. These lists include further readings on new atheism, other more traditional atheist views, and Christian and secular responses to new atheism.

Why God Won't Go Away: Is the New Atheism Running on Empty? read like a college research thesis paper to me. It did give me a better understanding of what new atheism is and why it is wrong to believe in it. As a former Religion major, I enjoyed this book. However, if you do not enjoy reading college research style writings, then this book may not be for you.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from the publisher Thomas Nelson through the BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.