ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on responses to new atheism from three broad traditions of political thought, namely conservatism, Marxism and feminism.It reflects on how scholars from these highly contrasting traditions actually tend to share certain concerns about new atheism. The chapter examines how people from the Marxist left have replied to new atheism, with particular reference to the work of Terry Eagleton. It looks at responses from feminist writers to new atheism, highlighting the arguments of Tina Beattie. John Gray is one of the best known political philosophers in the UK, and has a high public profile with regular appearances in radio, newspapers and magazines. One of the most developed feminist critiques of new atheism is made by the Roman Catholic theologian, Tina Beattie. She critiques some of her male theologian colleagues for engaging in a 'stag-fight between men of Big Ideas' that can be both comic and wearisome.
