SCIENCE AND GOD’S EXISTENCE: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON IDEOLOGY OF NEW ATHEISM

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 scientific/ new atheism. In addition to traditional philosophical and moral arguments, the new atheists add substantial use of arguments from natural sciences to deny the God’s existence and authenticity of religions. 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 scientific dimension but this refutation is still unknown in academic community. This study will fulfill that gap by exploring the refutation of Muslim scholars by using scientific arguments. This write up is based on a qualitative research study. The data was collected through library research. Muslim scholars show that modern scientific discoveries have overthrown all important atheistic assumptions. They argue that new atheists misuse science in their favor.