Well it has been a few months since I have been studying apolgetics and I must say it has been quite a challenge, as well as an eye opener to the society we have around us.
I have been doing apologetics actually for a few years, but never actually pursued it in a traditional sense. This sense having taking notes and studying the concept. I think it is imperative in our society today.
One thing is for sure, and that is our society is becoming more and more secularized, that is- becoming more influenced by the philosophies and things that this world attributes. If we, as Christians, do no arm for battle and prepare for encounters in proclaiming the gospel (as we should, 1 Peter 3:15), then we are being lazy and not doing the mission we are ALL called to do (Matthew 28:19-20). If we fail to do this with biblical truth and reason we will become like Sweden:
http://www.thelocal.se/34370/20110615/
I have been encounterd by the New Atheists a lot through youtube and facebook. While I believe they have HUGE misconceptions on Christianity (igorantly, and willfully ingorantly), I see how antagonistic they are and one thing is for sure: It is growing A LOT in our society. We must prepare. There is even a new movie out that promotes Atheism and anti-Christianity/Theism in general. It is known as the new Brokeback mountain for Atheists. I must warn you there are a few scenes of adultery in it (not graphical, but you get the gist). Take a look:
http://youtu.be/U-RHKF_c-Hc
Our society today needs God terribly. Unfortunately, they see a lot of hypocrisy in the church (which I would agree to a certain extent), Christian ignorance and laziness of looking into their faith. Although our society is becoming secularized, I believe this will cause us to step up and "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that we have." God commands this of us and It's necessary.