REL-243 Debating God: New Atheists and Old Defenders

In recent years, a number of provocative books have appeared attacking the idea of God, and the religious traditions that teach belief in God. While some of these critiques represent traditional suspicion of religion from the natural (Richard Dawkins) and social (Sam Harris) sciences, there are also new aspects to these criticisms that are important to note (Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett). This course will examine a representative sample of these thinkers, their backgrounds, and representative responses from religious thinkers. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.