What are your thoughts on the "Four Horsemen of Atheism" (Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, and Hitchens)?

Question

What are your thoughts on the "Four Horsemen of Atheism" (Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, and Hitchens)?

Answer 1

Practically everyone in the UK was atheist long before any of those names were connected with atheism.

Answer 2

Dawkins is superb, Hitchens is abrasive, and both make excellent points.  I don't believe I'm familiar with the other two, but thanks for the heads up--looking forward to reading their stuff!

Answer 3

They're four intelligent men that each have unique views on religion and atheism.

Answer 4

Whilst I agree with their point of view, I don't think they really bring anything new to the subject.

Answer 5

I only read Dawkins, and he's a really good writer and scientist.

Answer 6

Dawkins is probably my favorite of the lot, but Harris is good too.

Hitchens is a fine atheist, but his political views are nuts. I can't take him seriously. I know that the two are not related, but every time I visit Slate and see an article by him defending the invasion of Iraq, or just making an @ss of himself in general, I can't help but judge him.

Dennet is not really a major player, but a good author.  

Answer 7

I don't know any of them. I've heard of Dawkins and held his book, but I didn't need to read it. I already knew.

Answer 8

They can't bake a cherry pie, but neither can I.

Answer 9

My thoughts are that I didn't know about Dennett and Hitchens. Thanks.

Answer 10

I think Hawking, should be up there too, maybe in place of Dennett. Anyways, my heroes.

Answer 11

None, haven't read anything by any of them.

Answer 12

They have voiced thoughts for the silent majority of atheists around the world. All 4 are worth reading, as an atheist or as a believer.

Answer 13

Dennett is probably the only person who is going to have a lasting impact on things.

Harris is a bit muddled, that and his socio-moral points expressed regarding torture are a big turn off.

Hitchens is a political hack, he cranks out stuff left and right with shocking titles like "The Trial of Henry Kissinger."  Frankly, i feel he's just angry by a betrayal of where he thought the world was going.

Dawkins is someone who could have been better than what he is.   Granted, he gets all the kiddies and "Atheists of resentment" riled up, he's funny, engaging, and the like.  

But something new?  Not in the least, as atheist philosopher Michael Ruse wrote "The God Delusion makes me embarassed to be an atheist."

Many "minor" members of the atheist community who are academics and scientists have challenged him on the veracity of statements made in the God Delusion.  

The most notable "in-house" debate occurred between Scott Atran vs. the Harris/Dawkins group in Beyond Belief.  You'll also see it play out in segments of "The Edge."

This "left column" or "moderate" atheist group opposes the vision of religion expressed by the "Four Horsemen" (although Dennett doesn't really jive with the other 3).

Edit - To clarify, there are challenging the Three, not on the non-existence of God, but on the supposed dangers of religion.  Essentially, the social scientists are laughing at Dawkins/Harris for their simplistic understanding of the phenomena of religion.   "We're all good, and their all bad" is the black-white thinking of, well, someone who is more a believer.

Dennett actually acknowledged this in "Breaking the Spell."  He's "agnostic" to social benefit/ills caused by religion.

Answer 14

Not one jot or tittle :)

Answer 15

Can I apply to be the fifth?

Answer 16

If they are horsemen,then I was a walker.I was atheist long before anyone heard their names

Answer 17

For as long as they're not meddling with my rights, spreading hatred & bigotry, bombing abortion clinics or carbombing the world to h**l orforcing people to believe in sky fairies, they're a ok with me

Answer 18

Ride on brothers in arms

Answer 19

While I agree with the general conclusions posed by all four, I most closely identify with Dennett in terms of our relationship with the Christian culture and how we should approach it.  Insults and arrogance never won anybody to anything, and never will.  

Answer 20

Giddy up..yeehaa!

Answer 21

Never heard of em.