Stalemate

No, argues Jessa Crispin, the so-called New Atheists aren't as bright as they'd have you believe:

None of them pause to consider the possibility that divinity could exist without religion. It’s obvious no one in this group has bothered to read any theology. Their attacks are as shallow as their research. Harris, Hitchens, and Dawkins are scientists, journalists, and pundits — not philosophers. That’s fine when they’re dealing with religious history, but when they try to stare down the divine they are out of their league.

On the other hand, John F. Haught doesn't exactly make a sterling case for the defense.