Conference on New Atheism at Millsaps College

Image by Kanaka's Paradise Life via FlickrMillsaps College (Jackson, MS) is doing a "hot topics" series through their continuing education program. They describe the series as follows:

This is a series of one-day conferences on controversial, confusing, and important issues of our day. Each program in the series covers a major current hot topic with discussion led by Millsaps professors and invited expert speakers.

Sounds very cool. Even cooler, the next one is on the "new" atheism. Here is how they describe it:

Over the past few years books by Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris have hit the best-seller lists promoting atheism as the only rational and moral way to live. Called the “new atheism” because of it resurgence and popularity, it has attracted a great deal of attention. But is there anything “new” about it? Are there new scientific discoveries or political realities that provide new evidence for atheism? Or is it all old ideas with new marketing? Join us as we cover all this, including the history of atheism, the current influence and power of atheism, and the strength of the “new atheist” arguments.

The conference will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and costs only $30. For more information, contact Dr. Patrick Hopkins (601-974-1293). To register, contact Continuing Education (601-974-1130). You can also find a registration form here.

Tags: Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, continuing education, atheism, conference, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, new atheism