Tuesday, February 01, 2005
'Atheism and Children' by Natalie Angier
Ever wondered how an atheist brings up their children? You can find the answer in this highly impassioned lecture by Natalie Angier, Atheism and children. During the lecture, she makes the statement that atheism, to her, means essentially 'an ongoing devotion to exploration, a giving of pride of place to evidence.' A question: isn't this compatible with the very best of Christianity? There are some interesting points in Angier's lecture. But like so much writing from atheists, it seems to be responding to an anti-intellectual, caricatured brand of Christianity -- something we might all object to as Christians. But a good thinker is going to evaluate something on the basis of the best examples one can find. How would you characterise the best form of Christianity?
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Hi Deucalion,
ReplyDeleteI think she is responding to an anti-intellectual caricatured version of Christianity because I am a Christian and it is not the form of Christianity I a large number of people subscribe to. In that sense her remarks seemed to be aimed at Christians of a particular type. I think your last paragraph is important. I can certainly understand why someone would respond to right-wing fundamentalist Christianity in the way the author has.
I take your point about the phrase 'evidence above all else'. But surely atheism which concludes that there is no god on the basis of no evidence is an example of argument from ignorance? I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.
Yes, I think it is because of her implication that Christianity is anti-science which, of course, it is not.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your distinction between strong and weak atheism. But I would suggest that the most logical position is agnosticism rather than either of those.
Christians may have a "devotion to exploration" but it's clearly a devotion to further explore Christs divinity - not to explore the possibility that Jesus was just a man, or that he may not have existed at all. And on the idea that Christians give a "pride of place to evidence"... this is a shocker. Evidence that fits your established view that Jesus was and is the son of god, perhaps. But all other evidence is rejected. And the standard of evidence used to support the Christian position is shamefully, embarrassingly low.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteWhich Christians are you talking about? It might be better to say that some Christians' devotion to exploration is as you describe. But not all...