The neo-atheist movement, from my experience, mostly consists of former believers. So, it's not too surprising that there's a fundie element which thinks tough talk is a substitute for rational argument. I don't mind such vehemence to a certain degree, but I can certainly see why it may have led to some backlash. There's also the strange overlap between neo-atheism and neo-conservativism, where the West is viewed as a sort of supreme, enlightened, Saviour, and the rest of the world (especially the Muslim world) is this body of second class illiterates --- even the perception of such a bond is a fatal attraction, for neo-atheism, in my view.
He who loves God cannot endeavour that God should love him in return - Baruch Spinoza
