New Atheism: Manufacturing Doubt Through Modern Means
Atheism, as the denial of the existence of
Allah, was not a new phenomenon in the history of human thought. It appeared in
various forms across different civilizations, yet it largely remained confined
to intellectual elites and minority circles. However, recent decades have
witnessed the emergence of what is known as “New Atheism,” an intellectual
trend that has adopted digital platforms and modern media as its primary tools
for dissemination and influence, particularly within Arab and Islamic
societies.
The importance of studying this phenomenon
stems from its threat to the creedal and intellectual framework, as well as its
ability to attract wide segments of youth by exploiting weak religious
awareness, psychological and social disturbances, fascination with science and
technology, and the clear shortcomings of contemporary Islamic discourse in
addressing modern challenges.
First: The Concept of
Atheism and New Atheism
1. Atheism:
Most sources do not provide a direct linguistic definition of atheism; rather,
they focus on its technical definition as the denial of the existence of Allah
or the rejection of belief in any divine power.
2. New Atheism:
This refers to a contemporary wave of atheism characterized by intensive use of
digital media, reliance on scientific and philosophical discourse, employment
of visual and dramatic persuasive tools, and a particular focus on criticizing
religions—especially Islam—often through sarcastic or provocative styles.
Second: Causes
Leading to Atheism in the Arab World
Analytical studies indicate that atheism in
the Arab world is not the result of a single factor, but rather the outcome of
a complex interaction between intellectual and psychological factors, most
notably:
1. Fascination with the scientific and technological
revolution, leading some individuals to believe that matter alone can
sufficiently explain existence.
2. The widespread dissemination of ideas through social
media, accompanied by uncontrolled cross-pollination of opinions and beliefs.
3. Weak creedal foundations and surrender to satanic
whispers in the absence of strong faith-based fortification.
4. Distortion of the image of Islam due to the practices
of extremist groups, resulting in alienation of some youth from religion
itself.
5. The desire to break free from moral and legal
constraints, with atheism being adopted as a justification for behavioral
permissiveness.
6. Excessive glorification of reason and the exclusion of
revelation as a source of knowledge.
7. Psychological crises and feelings of injustice or
betrayal, leading to flawed creedal projections.
8. Reflection on disasters and calamities without
understanding divine wisdom.
9. Being misled by the apparent large number of atheists
and the diversity of religions, which generates doubt and confusion.
Third: Pioneers of
New Atheism and Its Intellectual Impact
New atheism gained global prominence
through four thinkers known as the “Four Horsemen”:
1. Richard Dawkins: Author of The God Delusion (2006), considered
one of the most influential works promoting atheism.
2. Sam Harris: Author of The End of Faith.
3. Daniel Dennett.
4. Christopher Hitchens: Author of God Is Not Great (2007).
The influence of these four figures
extended beyond written publications, as ideas of new atheism spread through
radio, documentaries, cinematic films—especially those targeting children—and
internet websites, making new atheistic thought more globally influential
(Qursha, 2021).
Fourth: Mechanisms of
the Spread of New Atheism via the Internet
New atheism in the Arab world relies on
several communication mechanisms, most notably:
1. Exploiting major social media platforms: Platforms such as YouTube and Facebook are among the
most influential in spreading this thought in the Arab world, due to their wide
reach and strong impact on youth.
2. Relying on influencers: Certain influencers (Arab and non-Arab) produce
atheistic content and promote books and works supporting new atheism.
3. Professional visual production: Some atheistic channels produce highly professional
and dramatic visual content, such as clips portraying Islam through scripted
narratives, acting scenes, or animations—requiring substantial financial
resources.
4. Manipulating scientific and philosophical
topics: Particular focus is placed on natural
sciences, evolution, and logic to cast doubts on religion, sometimes through
superficial arguments or exaggerating gaps in evolutionary theory.
5. Provocation and direct attack: Some atheistic platforms engage in sarcastic attacks
on religions—especially Islam—and mock sacred symbols, often declaring
renunciation of Islam and attacking religious institutions.
6. Creating the illusion of large numbers: These platforms seek to convey the impression that
atheists are numerous and increasing in the Arab world by labeling anyone who
interacts with them as an atheist.
7. Educational/awareness content: Some channels publish documentary or dialogical clips
focusing on rational, logical, and philosophical arguments to shape atheistic
thought.
In summary, new atheistic thought is formed
online not merely through adopting ideas, but through powerful media tactics,
large production resources, and exploitation of societal weaknesses and
religious ignorance, while packaging ideas in a seemingly logical and visually
appealing form to expand its base.
Fifth: Ways to
Confront New Atheism
Confronting atheism—especially new atheism
spread online—requires adopting multiple approaches addressing methodology,
content, and media support, as follows:
A. Developing Methodology and Discourse
1. Addressing the real causes of atheism: focusing on
psychological, social, creedal, scientific, and philosophical causes through
educational and religious programs.
2. Tailoring discourse to different groups: recognizing
that atheists differ in motivations, each requiring a distinct approach.
3. Balancing rational responses and applied sciences:
addressing scientific theories exploited to deny the Creator, such as theories
of origins and evolution.
4. Grounding responses in scientific and empirical facts.
5. Emphasizing positive themes: linking religion with the
universe and nature, not merely responding to doubts.
B. Enhancing Media Reach and Keeping Pace
with the Times
1. Addressing the problem of limited reach and promotion.
2. Using attractive and impactful media methods,
including storytelling and professional production.
3. Increasing financial support for specialized
platforms.
4. Simplifying content for youth through short videos,
books, and pamphlets.
5. Benefiting from skilled and knowledgeable influencers,
particularly in natural sciences.
C. Improving Content of Anti-Atheism
Platforms
1. Exposing deceptive atheistic tactics.
2. Relying on credible sources and proper documentation.
3. Addressing contemporary issues related to cosmology,
evolution, and materialistic interpretations of life (Al-Jundi, 2015).
Sixth: Challenges
Facing Confrontation Efforts
Efforts to counter atheism—especially
online new atheism—face several major challenges (Qursha, 2021):
A. Limited Reach and
Support
1. Despite the existence of strong specialized platforms,
they suffer from poor promotion.
2. Weak financial support limits content production and
dissemination.
B. Methodological and
Content Challenges
1. Difficulty in resolving scientific debates exploited
by atheists.
2. Overemphasis on abstract philosophy at the expense of
natural sciences.
3. Weak application-based scientific evidence.
C. Diversity of
Atheist Profiles
1. Varied motivations require diverse strategies.
2. Addressing internal psychological causes remains the
greatest challenge.
D. Media Attraction
Challenges
Weak production quality and lack of
engaging media methods hinder effective response, except for a few platforms
that adopt storytelling approaches (Al-Awaji, 2019).
Confronting new atheism requires a
comprehensive strategy combining scientific depth with media professionalism.
The challenge resembles producing a high-quality remedy without effective
distribution channels or marketing budgets, while attractively packaged poison
spreads rapidly due to vast media resources and broad audience reach.
Read Also:
- Identity Struggle Between Islamic Principles and Modernist Currents
- How Conflict of Identities Affects Youth
-------------------------------------------------------------
References:
1. Qursha,
Amjad (2021). Atheism in the Arab World and Responses Through Internet Sites
and Social Media: An Analytical Study. Jordanian Journal of Islamic
Studies, 17(1), Article 3.
2. Al-Jundi,
Abdullah (2015). The Phenomenon of Contemporary Atheism: Causes and Means of
Confrontation. Cairo: Dar Al-Salam.
3. Al-Awaji,
Ghalib bin Ali (2019). Atheism: Its Causes, Dangers, and Ways of
Confrontation. Riyadh.
