Atheist Overreach: What Atheism Can't Deliver

by Christian Smith

In recent years atheism has become ever more visible, acceptable, and influential. Atheist apologists have become increasingly vociferous and confident in their that a morality requiring benevolence towards all and universal human rights need not be grounded in religion; that modern science disproves the existence of God; and that there is nothing innately religious about human beings. In Atheist Overreach, Christian Smith takes a look at the evidence and arguments, and explains why we ought to be skeptical of these atheists' claims about morality, science, and human nature. He does not argue that atheism is necessarily wrong, but rather that its advocates are advancing crucial claims that are neither rationally defensible nor realistic. Their committed worldview feeds unhelpful arguments and contributes to the increasing polarization of today's political landscape. Everyone involved in the theism-atheism debates, in shared moral reflection, and in the public consumption of the findings of science should be committed to careful reasoning and rigorous criticism. This book provides readers with the information they need to participate more knowledgably in debates about atheism and what it means for our society.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Philosophy, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Atheism

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2018

About the author

Christian Smith is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame. Smith's research focuses primarily on religion in modernity, adolescents, American evangelicalism, and culture.

Reviews

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, very few atheists give any real thought to their chosen beliefs. Atheism is not a default position: it has a bus full of baggage that must be dragged around (which is why almost all serious atheists are bitter and angry and crude). And most of all: Rebellious Against the Biblical God. Comically, few are rebellious against the Cosmic spirit of Buddhism, or the deities of Hinduism, or even the Gurus of the cults or pagan goddesses. I’ve met almost no atheists who have seriously investigated the Quran or Book of Mormon or even their blind belief in Darwinian Evolution. Being loud and proud of their Atheism in no way equals truth.

If I recall this book correctly (I could be wrong? I’ve read a lot of books recently and already took this back to the library) this book did hold up academic sciences as the purveyor of truth even against the Bible (as all scholars and even theologians) seem horrified of upsetting their institutional brethren and peer country club. I’ll check on this.

Science is great: until it changes its mind yet again.

[John Boyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Smith is probably my favorite sociologist. In his book he dives deep down the rabbit hole of the atheistic worldview to show how it is lacking in fundamental ideas of humanity and society. He makes is a point again and again that this book is not meant to convince people either against atheism or for theism of any kind. While I appreciate his purpose of presenting clear logical arguments against atheism, I hope this ends up being only a part 1 where he does then go on to show how theism, and specifically Christianity does provide grounded answers for all of the issues he raises in this book. Smith primarily goes on to show in this book how the atheistic view of the world, relying solely on empirical naturalism fails to provided logical answers as to why an atheist can be "Good without God" on a universal basis, how there can be a universal acceptance of benevolence and basic human rights, and why science is simply lacking in its ability to answer our fundamental ontological questions. He finishes the book by providing a clear discussion on why humans have an innate tendency to be religious and often choose to either accept that or repress that, an argument that goes right against the atheists dream of a completely secularized society.

I highly recommend this book to sociologists and people interested in worldview studies. As a Christian, it provides clear arguments against atheism that can easily be used in any ontological discussion on the existence of God and meaning of life.

[Ryan Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am interviewing Dr. Smith tomorrow for my podcast, Life After God” (www.lifeaftergod.org). I have this 4 stars because I appreciate the questions he raises and (with the exception of chapter 4) he addresses as dispassionately as one could hope. Ultimately I think he is addressing claims that very few atheists—or even humanists—are making. My claims about morality are much more modest than what he claims atheists are making. Still, a good challenge to intellectual honesty. I also loved his nod to Aristotle in the conclusion.

[Jaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling writing and arguments. This book is at the top of my list of books I would give to an atheist, agnostic, or skeptic in general, to read.

If you’re a serious thinker, this book will satisfy your fancies

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first three chapters were great and stayed true to the theme of the book—popular atheism overreaching in its claims of morality and empirical verification. The fourth chapter is a little odd and feels out of sorts. The question—are humans naturally religious?—didn’t feel like it fit with the rest of the book.

[Ian Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid philosophy. I believe a lot of criticism that is mounted against this book is over reading/projecting the original objective of the book.
The arguments are solid for its limited objective it had originally set out to do.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tremendous book! I wish there were more like it. Smith keeps the discussion very limited, keeps his arguments concise, and offers brilliant observations.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this after Tim Keller recommended it. It was very good - in part a rehashing of responses to atheism and its lack of reasonable grounds for a universal morality that I'd heard before, but delivered succinctly and articulately. Although I'm a Christian, I appreciated that in this case he did not appeal to or attempt to validate Christian or any religious beliefs, but instead refuted atheist claims largely on their own terms, because, yeah... I enjoy engaging with (okay, debating) atheists and I know any respectable atheist worth their salt will shoot all kinds of holes in appeals to any transcendent authority. Smith's approach is pretty solid that way, though it may turn off those who would want him to venture into attempting to "prove" any religious truth claims. For those who would like a more assertively Christian exploration of similar ideas, I recommend Proper Confidence by Lesslie Newbigin.

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mercifully short as it has nothing much to say beyond strawman polemics. An author prepared to conflate atheism, humanism and atheology is hard to take seriously.

Similarly, Smith is unable or unwilling to permit scientists to have an opinion about religion and religious belief. Presumably, this means that economists, dentists, plumbers and sociologists should not stray out of their respective lanes either.

Leave religion to theologists is the overriding premise of this jumble of pseudo-philosophy. Ummm, nah!

[Stella Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The primary focus of the book is centered around the question: “ do people who believe that we live in a naturalistic universe have good reason to believe in universal benevolence and human rights-that is are they rationally warranted in asserting and championing such moral claims and imperatives ?”

He assesses into Kantian ethics, enlightenment ideals, Kitchener, Aristotle, and others. A very good read for anyone interested in morality in the theism/atheism debate.

[Toby Neal]

Recommended by Tim Keller
https://twitter.com/timkellernyc/stat...

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smith gives a fair and incisive critique. Loved it.

[N. James O’Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst Smith may not add any new arguments, he demonstrates the sheer weight behind many modern arguments for Christianity. Well worth reading, irregardless of your theistic persuasion.