Atheism is not a faith. No one was ever struck down on the road to Damascus with the blinding realization that there probably is no God. A friend described his deconversion this way: “A slow gradual process including cognitive dissonance and mental agony, finally culminating in the inevitable recognition of the rational poverty of theism.” Over
(
Read more... )
Comments 10
Reply
Howsomever, I'm not sure I agree. As I view the story, it is God who failed the test. And since my religious tradition is Christian, he failed it mightily. He revealed himself as an inhuman monster who it is a moral duty to oppose (or would be if he existed). But even in the light of the Genesis story, that God sent a messenger rather than appearing himself is a quibble of no importance unless you think the messenger could delay or misinterpret the message. Besides, isn't it true that no one may look upon the face of God and live? Both Abraham and Isaac would have been incinerated on that pyre if God himself had appeared.
God cannot escape the moral implications of delegating justice and mercy to his flawed creation. It is like leaving my infant in the care of my five-year-old child and heading out for a nice Caribbean cruise.
Reply
Reply
The touchstone is this: is there any evidence that would persuade you that there is a god? Ask someone of faith if there is any evidence that would persuade them that there was no god. The answer is usually that their faith is strong enough to withstand such things.
Reply
Reply
(Fine writing. Fine reasoning.)
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment