The Rhetoric of the New Atheism

We're moving quickly through a unit in my AP Language classes that I've entitled "The Question of Worldview," inspired by our required text for the unit, The Question of God by Armand Nicholi. I am stepping out in faith today, by giving a chapter to the students, taken from Christopher Hitchens' book God is Not Great, with the intention of then following up with a reading of a Douglas Wilson article on the New Atheism. The next logical step is to watch the DVD of Collision in class, which is on the lesson plan for later this week. It's a great documentary (I think); definitely pick up a copy, or watch it if you get the chance. I heard they're selling it at Costco at the moment.

As I've been reading Hitchens' book, I've been struck by his use of rhetoric (apropo for AP Language), and which I am discovering in much of the New Atheists' writing. Rhetoric: the art of speaking effectively, using techniques and tools to produce a specific response in the reader. Hitchens' draws eloquently on his vast reading experience, and weaves all his references together so well that he makes a compelling argument that conceals much of atheism's logical inconsistencies. These atheists are good writers, but the reader must beware of the persuasive power of the wordsmith.

Overall, I'm thankful for the chance to read/watch much from the New Atheism debate, at the same time I've been reading so much about rhetoric. It has really added a lot to my perception of those engaging in the debate, from both sides.