How to handle an angry atheist

Martin Marty, astute observer of culture and religion, has some great suggestions in The Christian Century on how to respond to best-selling authors such as Hitchens and Dawkins. 

Many of us are tempted to roll the eye at their claim that religion is the poisonous source of all evil, but the wise Dr. Marty advises, "Don't sneer. Where does that get us?" 

"Converse, don't argue," he adds, saying no one wins arguments about the existence of God. Instead, enter into dialogue and pose some good questions.

"Agree with the authors that in the name of religion horrible things have been done and are being done." In other words, 'fess up to the facts. Transparency and humility can be powerfully disarming.

"Don't sound triumphalist" by reminding them that we outnumber them 97-3. Such a nyah-nyah attitude raise our own comfort level, "but what does it prove?" Dr. Marty asks.

OK. Just one more.

"Read better books by these authors," Dr. Marty says, "as opposed to their sensational polemics on a subject they are not well versed in." Don't write off their other offerings just because of their rant on religion -- we just might learn something.

Preach on, Brother Marty!