Atheists Quote by N.T. Wright
““If you want to know why the “new atheists” like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Atkins sell so many books, the answer is that they’re offering the modernist version of the good old-fashioned theological term “assurance.” They are assuring anxious ex-believers that the nightmare of small-minded and stultifying “religion” is gone””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Testament and the People of God, 1998
New atheists provide a modern version of religious certainty, offering reassurance to former believers that religion’s constraints are gone.
In simple terms: They replace old faith with modern certainty for ex‑believers.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the need for reassurance beyond religion.
Themes
faith
certainty
modernism
religion
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- discussing belief systems
- writing about religion
- counseling former believers
- debating atheism
Key Concepts
secularism
existential anxiety
cognitive comfort
Questions to Reflect On
- What replaces religious assurance for you?
- Can certainty be harmful?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex spiritual needs.
![“Their [the new atheists] treatment of the religious viewpoint is pathetic to the point of non-being. Richard Dawkins in The God Delusion would fail any introductory philosophy or religion course. Proudly he criticizes that whereof he knows nothing.” quote by Michael Ruse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1db/michael-ruse-35791_atheist_their-the-new-atheists-treatment-of-the_1955646.jpg)
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
