7 Lies of the New Atheist Movement: Insights from Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker

Is Christianity a crutch for the weak, or can it stand as an intellectually credible worldview?

Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker, an Atheist PhD scholar, shares a powerful testimony of her intellectual and spiritual journey to Christianity in an interview with Justin Brierley.

Her story sheds light on seven pervasive lies promoted by the New Atheist movement, and challenges common misconceptions about faith, intellect, and morality.

Lie #1: You Can Be Smart or Religious, But Not Both

One of the New Atheist movement’s most repeated claims is that intelligence, and religion, are mutually exclusive. Dr. Irving-Stonebraker encountered this myth head-on during her Academic journey. 

As a historian, she studied figures like Robert Boyle, a Scientist and devout Christian, who embodied the union of intellect and faith.

Her encounter with such intellectual giants forced her to rethink her assumptions. How could these brilliant minds deeply believe in God while contributing to the foundation of Modern Science? 

The answer lies in understanding that the Bible, far from opposing knowledge, celebrates wisdom and encourages intellectual pursuit. Passages like those in Proverbs emphasize that God, as the source of wisdom, invites us to grow in understanding.

Critics within the New Atheist movement sometimes present a false dichotomy, claiming that faith and reason cannot coexist. However, this interpretation overlooks key aspects of Proverbs. 

The book doesn’t denounce human reasoning or Scientific discovery; rather, it warns against arrogance and the belief that human knowledge alone is sufficient.

Becoming a Christian encourages you, and leads you to intellect and wisdom. Share on X

God being the All-Wise One, the Wise Master Builder, the Wise Creator, and us being His greatest creation.

Lie #2: Morals and Ethics Matter More to Atheists Than Christians

During her time at Oxford, Dr. Irving-Stonebraker attended lectures by leading Atheist Ethicist, Dr. Peter Singer.

While Singer is known for his intellectual rigor, his Utilitarian approach exposes the moral vacuum of Atheism. Without a belief in intrinsic human worth, values like compassion and justice become subjective and fragile.

It goes to say that the more you unpeel Atheism like an onion, the more it becomes clear that there is really nothing there holding it up morally. It’s morally bankrupt without a foundation on an objective level.

Dr. Irving-Stonebraker realized that even Atheists who critique Christian morality, rely on principles borrowed from a Christian worldview. Christianity provides an objective moral framework that Atheism struggles to replicate.

Lie #3: Natural Achievement Is Enough

In her early years, Dr. Irving-Stonebraker sought meaning and self-worth through Academic, and personal achievements. However, she soon discovered the emptiness of this pursuit. Every success led to the need for the next, leaving her unfulfilled.

This mirrors the message of the Book of Ecclesiastes: striving for worldly accomplishments without acknowledging God leads to vanity.

The Book of Ecclesiastes offers a clear exploration of the emptiness of life when lived apart from God, showing the futility of pursuits like wealth, pleasure, and human achievements when disconnected from eternal purpose. 

It reveals that humans are created with an innate longing for something greater than the physical world. This insight directly counters Atheistic claims, showing that a purely Naturalistic worldview cannot satisfy the deep yearning for meaning that God has placed within us.

Ecclesiastes makes it clear:

“Without God, life lacks ultimate purpose.”

Lie #4: Atheists Are Consistent, and Christians Are Not

The New Atheist movement often accuses Christians of inconsistency, while claiming intellectual coherence for Atheists. Dr. Irving-Stonebraker’s observations, however, revealed the opposite. 

Prominent Atheists like Richard Dawkins, deny the existence of objective morality, yet encourage behaviors like compassion and kindness. This contradiction undermines their position.

If Atheism rejects the existence of ultimate truth or morality, it cannot provide a foundation for ethical behavior. Yet, many Atheists continue to borrow from the moral framework of Christianity. 

For example, Peter Singer’s Utilitarian view that some lives are less valuable than others aligns with Atheism’s lack of intrinsic human worth. Yet even secular societies recoil from such conclusions, revealing their dependence on the Christian worldview.

Dr. Irving-Stonebraker highlighted the inconsistency in Atheism’s moral claims, demonstrating that Christianity offers a far more coherent and robust ethical foundation.

Lie #5: Without Christianity, Things Will Be Better

The fifth lie is a big one, and is being debunked on the world-stage today, for all to see. It’s the claim that the world would improve without Christianity. For centuries, critics have blamed Christianity for societal ills, advocating for a secular alternative. Yet history tells a different story.

Dr. Irving-Stonebraker observed that many values cherished in modern societies—human rights, equality, and justice—are rooted in Christian theology. The belief that every person is made in the image of God underpins the Western understanding of human dignity.

Atheism has a hard time supporting values like human dignity, and equality, on its own. When societies move away from the moral foundation that Christianity provides, they often lose their sense of right and wrong, and get left with something which is more like Atheism.

Christianity has not only guided us in the past, but still offers hope and a clear sense of purpose for the future.

Lie #6: Christianity Holds Us Back Instead of Pushing Us Forward

Critics often portray Christianity as a hindrance to progress, particularly in Science. However, Dr. Irving-Stonebraker found the opposite to be true.

Many pioneers of the Scientific Revolution were devout Christians. Their faith motivated their quest for knowledge, seeing Science as a means to explore God’s creation.

She highlighted the theological underpinnings of Modern Science. Christianity’s emphasis on order, logic, and a rational Creator laid the groundwork for Scientific inquiry.

Far from holding humanity back, Christianity has been a driving force in intellectual and technological advancements.

Lie #7: Science Leads People to Atheism

The final lie Dr. Irving-Stonebraker exposed, is the idea that Science inevitably leads to Atheism. While this narrative has gained traction, it ignores the deep connection between faith and scientific discovery.

Science, in its quest for understanding, often points to a greater designer. Many leading scientists are devout believers, recognizing the intricacies of creation as evidence of God’s hand.

Dr. Irving-Stonebraker points to modern examples like Francis Collins, the director of the Human Genome Project, who is both a leading scientist and a committed Christian. Collins and others demonstrate that Science and faith are not mutually exclusive but complementary.

Rather than disproving God, scientific inquiry often points to His existence. The universe’s complexity and fine-tuning suggest a Creator who designed it with purpose and precision.

Dr. Irving-Stonebraker’s journey shows that embracing Science doesn’t require abandoning faith—in fact, it can deepen it.

Finding Truth in Christianity

Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker’s testimony dismantles these seven lies, showing that Christianity is not a barrier to intellect, morality, or progress—it is the foundation.

The lies of the New Atheist movement crumble when faced with history, logic, and personal experiences like hers.

Christianity provides a moral compass, a sense of purpose, and a framework for understanding the world that Atheism struggles to offer.

It inspires scientific discovery, ethical living, and personal fulfillment, showing that faith is not just relevant but essential in today’s world.

If you want to explore another foundational question about the nature of God and the coherence of Christian beliefs, check out this article about the Trinity. Dive deeper into the questions that shape faith and life. God bless.

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