Becoming Christian thanks to the world’s most famous atheist. The conversion of 12 intellectuals who came to faith after reading Richard Dawkins’ books.

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Richard Dawkins as an apologist for faith?

As the “New Atheism” movement has gradually faded, one book has highlighted how prolific it has been in leading many people to the Christian faith.

It is titled Coming to Faith Through Dawkins (Kregel Publications, 2023).

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Dawkins: The Failure of the “New Atheism”

For years, Dawkins was one of the leading figures among a group of scientists and philosophers who promoted a religious and fundamentalist form of atheism. Their works dominated the publishing scene for decades.

But for various reasons, which we have already discussed, the dream eventually collapsed: the “New Atheism” proved empty, old and repetitive. It imploded.

The leaders of that movement no longer exist as such or have moved on to other pursuits, while some, such as biologist Jerry Coyne, have moments of nostalgia.

Last March, he had responded to UCCR, arguing that the “New Atheism” had not failed because it had nevertheless increased the number of nonbelievers in America.

Our response did not include one interesting detail: the “New Atheism” also led numerous intellectuals to faith.

 

 

Becoming Christian Through Dawkins

An interesting example can be found precisely in the book we are discussing today.

The editors are biologist Denis Alexander and converted theologian Alister McGrath.

It consists of twelve essays written by twelve figures from the intellectual world who share one thing in common: they were prompted to seriously reconsider their existential and religious convictions by Richard Dawkins’ books.

We mention just a few: pediatrician Johan Erasmus, science publisher Anikó Albert, artist Ashley Lande, and biochemist Sy Garte.

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Jerry Coyne Responds to UCCR, But Can’t Save “New Atheism”
(29/03/2026)

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“Christians Should Be Grateful”

One of the book’s endorsements comes from Ard Louis, an eminent professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oxford.

Here is what the scientist writes:

«If Richard Dawkins did not exist, Christians would have had to invent him. As this fascinating collection of personal stories demonstrates, Dawkins’ strong opposition to Christianity can push people to critically examine their deepest convictions and even radically change them. Although the authors reach conclusions about the Christian faith that are completely different from Dawkins’, they all agree with him that what you believe really matters and that serious intellectual inquiry, without holding anything back, is the best way to advance one’s thinking. We should be grateful to Richard Dawkins for inspiring this group of fascinating thinkers.»

Among the more amusing endorsements of the book is that of philosopher William Lane Craig.

Here is what he wrote: «This is an original book: true stories of people who came to faith, not despite, but through Richard Dawkins. It must be his worst nightmare!».

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Dawkins, king of atheists: but his disciple finds faith
(28/07/2025)

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The “Enemies” Within

But there is another fruit of Dawkins’ (anti-)apologetics.

It has led many enlightened nonbelievers to publicly oppose the New Atheism, drawing closer to Christians and becoming more willing to engage in dialogue with them.

One well-known example is Darwinian philosopher Michael Ruse, who was one of Dawkins’ main opponents for many years.

Ruse (who died in 2024) also reviewed the book, writing:

«It is truly fascinating. Many people, including nonbelievers like me, have found Dawkins’ atheism jarring, unpleasant and even offensive. I would never have imagined that, as this wonderful book so beautifully demonstrates, for some people Dawkins’ invective would become a stimulus to Christian faith. One can be forgiven for feeling a strong element of pleasure.»

 

 

Dawkins’ Friends Who Converted

So there are several converts thanks to Dawkins. But there is also a category of people who converted despite him.

We are talking about the many fellow travelers of the well-known British evolutionist, champions of skepticism like him until they took the claims of atheism seriously and engaged too closely with Christian thinkers.

The result was that they remained fascinated and discovered the warmth of a truth that reaches beyond the prison of rationalism.

We have already discussed the conversion of Dawkins’ right-hand man, intellectual Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and his left-hand man, the young protégé Josh Timonen.

But that is another story.