God’s Existence: Philosophical Discourse between New Atheists and Muslim Scholars

Abstract

This article seeks to explore how Muslim scholars are responding to modern atheism that is known as ‘New Atheism’. Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens are considered as the founding fathers of new atheism. New atheists use philosophical, scientific, moral and historical arguments to refute religion as well as God’s existence. This study highlights their especially their philosophical arguments and Muslim scholarly response in this regard. They draw on science as alternative of religion in twenty-first century. Moreover, they suggest that empirical science is sufficient for genuine knowledge for humanity and there is no need to take guidance from religions. They conclude that religions are unscientific and irrational and it is satisfying to live without religion on the basis of scientific discoveries and secular moral values. The refutation of new atheism came from different religious scholars of Judaism, Christianity and scholars of other religious beliefs. Muslim scholars have also refuted atheism in its philosophical, scientific, moral and historical dimensions but this refutation is still unknown in academic community. This study will fulfill that gap. This write up is based on a qualitative research study. The data was collected through library research. Muslim scholars show that philosophical viewpoints support God’s existence and authenticity of religion as well.