AlterNet continues its inexplicable attack on Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion. Alister McGrath calls the book bullying, and accuses Dawkins of a "seemingly pathological hostility towards religion," but reads into that not a new boldness to challenge orthodoxy but instead "a whiff of panic."
The shrill, aggressive rhetoric of his God Delusion masks a deep insecurity about the public credibility of atheism. The God Delusion seems more designed to reassure atheists whose faith is faltering than to engage fairly or rigorously with religious believers, and others seeking for truth. (Might this be because the writer is himself an atheist whose faith is faltering?)
No, that's not a typo. He really says "atheists whose faith is faltering." Twice. The phrase doesn't even make sense, let alone constitute a critique of the book. Professors of Historical Theology should learn the meaning of words like "atheist" before attempting to use them in sentences. Does McGrath himself feel a strong faith in the non-existence of super-intelligent space turkeys? By his logic if he doesn't believe in them he must be a member of the cult of a-space-turkey-ism. The only possible explanation of his non-belief is that he feels the call of the space-turkeys but refuses to embrace their importance in his life.
Sheesh.
McGrath then tries to refute what he represents as Dawkins core arguments, "that religion can be explained away on scientific grounds, and that religion leads to violence." Of course these aren't Dawkins or any other atheists' core arguments. The arguments to refute are the lack of evidence for any gods (as amply demonstrated by the utter inability of different religions to agree on which one of them is true), and the consequent lack of explanatory power of the concept of God. Even though McGrath picks minor side quibbles he still fails utterly at defending theism, falling back instead on tired refrains. Hiding behind the skirts of post-modernism, he chides anyone who disagrees with him of being mired in their own world view. Also Dawkins hasn't studied enough theology, he says, so his critique of Christianity is superficial.
As someone in the comments points out: so what? We don't need to learn much about Scientology to decide that it's a sack of lies, and pretty sorry ones at that. Likewise you don't have to read a lot of the Bible to see that it's the incoherent mythology of ancient middle-easterners, of a kind with the thousands of other holy books written over the centuries. Anything worthwhile takes some effort to understand and appreciate, as we often see in the shallow, uninformed attacks on evolution, but even though there have been billions of words written about God you really only have to get to the first contradiction before you can put the book down. "This God being who cannot be detected in any way will grant me eternal life which I cannot ever verify that I have if I believe He exists? Right. How convenient."
McGrath echoes Derkacz in calling for Dawkins to shut up and stop embarrassing the other atheists. Their concern for our reputation is touching, but I don't think we'll take strategic advice from the opposition. Thanks anyway.
- jack*
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].
Peace Be With You
Micky
Posted by: Micky | May 11, 2007 at 10:28 AM