

We had a discussion of new atheism and new atheists with Ozymandias Ramses II, both from the conception of the term and what it was meant to describe to how it now often used as an insult to a particular group of atheists who demonstrate a number of negative behaviours.
This is one of our early video streams converted in to a podcast, so it is definitely rough around the edges but the ocnversation is still well work listening to.
The conversation covered but was not limited to:
- Preferred Definition of Atheism
- So What was New Atheism?
- What does New Atheism describe today (or at least how do people use it)?
- What are the behaviours of the “New Atheist”?
- Why do many atheists assert there is no such thing as new atheism?
- Questions from the Audience
If you would rather check the video:
Questions from the Audience
Steve S asks: Why do proponents of the “lack belief” definition of atheism seem so resistant to reason? Do you believe they are afraid of defending that they don’t believe that god exists?
Martijn Asks: What’s your (Ozy’s) opinion on who is often said to replace Hitchens; Ayaam Hirsi Ali
Martijn also Asks: What’s your opinion on the accusations launched at Sam Harris of being a fascist, racist or simply not caring about the lives of Muslims abroad?
Kriss Asks: What do you think atheists could do to improve the perception of atheists and atheism whilst still speaking out against irrational religious practices and beliefs?
Andy Asks: What are the worst arguments you hear atheists making on the internet?
Alan G Asks: Do you think it is actually possible for someone to truly hold a psychologically agnostic stance without some form of a neurological issue?
Alan G also Asks: Where is the line between ‘new atheists’ as those who simply believe gods do not exist and are vocal about their position whilst promoting critical thinking and rationalism, and the New ‘New Atheists’ who are evangelicalesque in promoting atheism as the more ‘rational;’ position to hold whilst demeaning superstitions and any supernatural explanations of experiences?
Real Atheology: This is a great analysis, I wonder if Ozy could share some differences between New Atheists and Contemporary Atheist Analytic Philosophers like Mackie, Oppy and J.H. Sobel?
Real Atheology:
- The best books defending Theism, and the best theist philosophers/defenders of Theism
- The best books defending Atheism, and the best Atheist philosophers/defenders of Atheism.
Josh: how do you feel about Street Epistemology?
Adam: Why does Matt D use the lacktheist definition?
Adam also asks: Have you seen/What do you think of Steve’s WASP argument? – https://greatdebatecommunity.com/2020/02/27/if-bp-is-held-as-atheism-then-bp-can-be-held-as-theism-else-you-are-guilty-of-special-pleading/
Links
Ozy’s page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmthjMiFTIQnkGyZvfQKBdA
Real Atheology: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQa6mPLOE2yuMCrDjRio_nA
Further Reading
- Pitfalls of ‘New Atheism’
- Rockin’ Atheism Pt 2: Defining Atheism
- Rockin’ Atheism Part 3: Atheism in Greek Antiquity
- In response to Ra’s ‘What is Atheism?’
- Has Atheism Become an Ideology?
If you have any questions, want us to go into more detail about something, corrections, critique etc. feel free to leave us a message either under the article/video/podcast on the site, on YouTube, or feel free to DM us on one of our social media accounts.
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- Twitter: https://twitter.com/answersinreason
SciPhi Show
The Published SciPhi Show can be found in the following YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtOUOfJi7vrNuuLRMzGlJAvY6yiJChPub
SciPhi Shortz!
We’ve just started a new project called SciPhi Shortz! Essentially 5-15 minute videos going over the basics of a topic in a way that might be more digestible to people that would like to watch the streams, but don’t have 2 hours, so they can dip in and out to the bits that interest them!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtOUOfJi7vrPDpxlWWC8iDv8y4jVZHWwM
SciPhi Highlights
Don’t have time for the longer streams? We’ve got you covered. We created a playlist of various clips and highlights from the stream. These are a combination of interesting segments, jokes and funny bits, questions from the audience and times when we stack it and think you deserve a laugh at our expense.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtOUOfJi7vrPP0x9DjFU2Jpr27m1TftKn
Fresh AiR Podcast
The Fresh AiR Podcast is still going strong and can be heard in a number of outlets.
For the full experience, we suggest the website: https://www.answers-in-reason.com/series/fresh-air/ as we provide a number of links to various resources discussed in the article, however, can be seen on a number of podcast outlets such as: iTunes | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify | Podplayer – and we are not limited to these either, just search for Answers in Reason or Fresh AiR in your favourite podcast syndication.
Fresh AiR Videos!
Whilst the SciPhi show is quick live videos discussing relevant and current topics, with Season 3 we tried a few different things with Fresh AiR, inclusive of videos taking people through concepts.
These can be found both on the site, and in this YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtOUOfJi7vrMESjrmr2tZzHyGF_Jjutit
Patreon
At Answers in Reason we provide all our content to you for free, but we do have server costs and would love to be in a position to provide you content more regularly than we do.
As such we have started a Patreon page.
Each Tier has the benefits of the previous tier plus additional benefits
Tier 1 provides basic access to the community.
Here you will see any of our private blog posts, memes, and anything else we share just to our Patreon. You also get basic access to our discord server.
Tier 2 gives early access
Before we release our articles and podcasts to the public, you get access as soon as they are produced.

Tier 3 gives enhanced access
We will give you the podcast server address with the ability to listen in to the conversation live, and message us whilst on AiR.
You will receive access to the podcasts before they have been edited. The raw show, including any faux pas, and none of the after-show additions like the soundbytes.
You will also get enhanced access on the discord server, and be allowed to join us on the SciPhi streams. (Subject to availability, we don’t want to crash the server)
And lastly, we will send you an AiR T-shirt after 3 months of membership.
Tier 4 gives pro access
As a dedicated fan, we not only give you all the above (plus free delivery on the AiR T-Shirt World Wide) and additional exclusive content but also we have a circa 30 minute interview, finding out about your life and interests, and what you hope to gain from the community.
There will also be additional gifts from time to time, clothing, mugs, etc.
Tier 5 gives the Apex of Access
You get all the previous benefits PLUS you get to suggest and cohost a topic for Fresh AiR. (The topic does have to be running with the theme of Fresh AiR, e.g. a Philosophical/Scientific angle of sorts)
Tiers may be subject to review and change in future if required, but you will always be informed in advance.
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