Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett & Sam Harris are all figures at the vanguard of the "New Atheism".  The books have sold well, but where does this form of confrontational and outspoken atheism have to go next?

Alister McGrath is Theology professor at Kings College London and regularly speaks and writes against Atheism.  He says that there's nothing "new" about New Atheism and that it exhibits all the signs of being a religious form of belief itself.

Caspar Melville is editor of the UK's New Humanist magazine.  He says that "New Atheism" has been good for business and is provoking a debate that needs to be had.

They debate whether there is a historical naivety to the movement, Dawkins' claim that "I just believe in one less god than you" and much more besides.

For Alister McGrath see http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mcgrath/

For Caspar Melville see http://www.newhumanist.org.uk/

For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the podcast at http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or via Itunes

If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:

Unbelievable? 14 Nov 2009 - Alister McGrath on Atheism, theology and defending the faith

Unbelievable? 12 Dec 2009 Richard Dawkins debate on "Atheism is the New Fundamentalism" - review with interviews

Join the discussion at the Unbelievable? group of the Premier Community. http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable