Over the past few years, evangelical atheists have switched places with fire-and-brimstone Christians: Where once it was the Christians who brooked no disagreement, now it is the atheists. . . .

A weaselly self-righteousness is now the hallmark of the celebrity unbeliever. Meanwhle, it is the Christian who nods diligently in any discussion, taking pains to reassure the atheists how very much he respects their point of view.