Translation into English:
Atheism Is Losing Influence, Says Theologian
The New Atheism movement, which gained widespread prominence in the early 2000s through books by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, is losing influence. Meanwhile, a growing number of young people are showing an interest in Christianity and want to discuss matters of faith.
This was stated by British theologian and former Oxford University professor Alister McGrath, according to the news portal inVictory.
In an interview with The Telegraph, McGrath noted that, 20 years after the publication of Richard Dawkins’s book The God Delusion, the New Atheism movement no longer holds the influence it once did. In his view, it has failed to provide convincing answers to life’s most fundamental questions.
McGrath, who is now Emeritus Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, said he has observed growing interest in Christianity among young people.
“I see more and more young people wanting to talk about Christianity. Others are noticing this too, but no one seems particularly keen to draw attention to the trend at the moment. Perhaps it’s better just to let it happen,” he said.
According to McGrath, the movement’s influence is gradually fading as people have come to realise that its proponents have failed to answer the fundamental questions of human existence.
The scholar emphasised that people need more than an understanding of how the world works. They also seek meaning in life, a sense of their own significance and a sense of purpose.
“We are all searching for meaning, significance, purpose, and more besides,” he said.
McGrath believes that Christianity can provide compelling answers to these profound human needs. According to him, faith is not merely about holding certain beliefs or ideas about God, but also about people’s deepest aspirations and desires.
As LF previously reported, the number of believers is declining in traditionally Christian regions. These findings are presented in the Status of Global Christianity 2026 report, prepared by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in the United States.
It was previously reported that 32% of Russians who identify as Orthodox Christians never attend religious services, while 10% have never visited a church. These figures come from a survey conducted by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University (PSTGU). The study also found that 65% of Russians identify as Orthodox Christians.
