Dawkins is on the forefront of what is being termed the “new atheism.” What separates “old” atheism from this new variety is the evangelistic fervor with which its proponents are seeking converts. No longer content to merely defend their atheistic views, Dawkins and company are aggressively attacking theists, ridiculing their position and recruiting followers for their cause. Dawkins openly states, “If this book works as I intend, religious readers who open it will be atheists when they put it down” (p. 5).
In order to win followers Dawkins attempts to show that theistic arguments are preposterous and that theists are stupid. Substituting for God in Dawkins’ system is “natural selection” which he tries in vain to distinguish from chance and just plain luck.
Lacking real evidence, most of The God Delusion becomes a rant that would make any fundamentalist (who Dawkins can’t stand) proud. His strategy seems to be, “If I can’t prove my point with the facts, at least I can scream, rage and call names.” Highly unscientific, but that’s “all Dawkins’ got.”
Unfortunately, Dawkins is articulate enough that he may rock the faith of some who do not realize that his arguments are mostly air. I would encourage those who are disturbed by The God Delusion to read The Dawkins Delusion by Alister McGrath or Atheism Remix by Albert Mohler.