How odd it seems to me that just after I finished reading an article by fellow Examiner, Paul Fidalgo, last night that I should go to my e-mail inbox and find an alert of an article of a very similar nature. And then, this morning, again, two more alerts to yet another article and another tidbit.
It seems there is growing concern in the theistic community that atheism is a threat. They seem to be addressing it a more serious way. Not so much are they slamming atheists and atheism for slamming's sake as they are working to arm their masses so that, as Paul said, "believers can weather the 'final battle' waged by atheists, and protect their faith in God."
In Paul's article, Consternation over the New Atheists: A positive sign?, he talks about a video he ran across in which the "New Atheism" is discussed. Paul said:
What is notable to me is the that inspiration for the discussion comes from what seems to be genuine concern that the New Atheists might start to erode some people's faith.
I have to agree with Paul, especially in light of the mood of that which I seem to be running across with regularity. Be it expressed in articles or in videos, there does seem to be an awareness that atheism is here to stay and that its numbers seem to be growing. This is in stark contrast to the mood not too long ago. Some religious leaders and writers supposed that atheism would fizzle out, or at least that is what they expressed. Whether they really believe it or not is debatable. Regardless, it can't be denied that certain religious leaders seem to be taking a different approach to combat the "New Atheism."
Yesterday on Focus on the Family, the topic was "Understanding the New Atheism." The conversation was between Dr. James Dobson and Dr. Albert Mohler, author of Atheism Remix.
During the radio broadcast, both men seemed to sincerely consider what motivates atheists, what atheists want, and how they can battle against atheistic influence. Appearances, of course, can be deceiving. Mixed in with their concerns were falsehoods and exaggerations. But, that is not what this is about.
Mohler acknowledged that atheism has been around for a long time. He said that the "New Atheism is the old atheism "being repackaged in a very new way." He said, "You have some very powerful personalities, very effective communicators, people like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, people who are really able to make the argument in a new and newly assertive way. And it's changing the landscape. That's why I think Christians need to take careful note of it."
He said that the "New Atheists" are "dangerous" and a "threat." He warned that although atheists are a "very small minority," the new atheists are the "hard-line... radical fringe of a very small movement... [that have] a lot of voice."
He noted that the most famous atheists, Dawkins and Hitchens, were famous in their respective fields before they became famous atheists. He acknowledged Hitchens' literary acclaim as well as Dawkins' scientific prestige.
It seems that he feels that these individuals who were respected prior to becoming prominent in the atheist community are changing the face of atheism. It seems that suddenly atheists are not necessarily seen as cast-asides who eat babies. No, no. Atheists have gained a certain amount of note and respectability.
Of course, they did go on to say that Hitchens is vile. But they noted that he, along with the likes of Dawkins, Dennet, and Harris are good at using the media to get their messages out to the masses.
He then went on to say, :...we as Christians should be concerned anytime we know there's a worldview out there that is taking minds captive that is opposed to the gospel...." Of course, the question that immediately came to my mind was, "so, it's okay for minds to be held captive as long as it coincides with scripture?" So, really, that tells me something about his growing concern about the atheist movement, no matter how small he says it is. It isn't really the "captivity," per se, that is bothering him... it's that he and his ilk are not the captors.
He said that atheists use as their tool "intellectual intimidation," which is a wicked thing. Again, I guffawed. Kettle, pot - pot, kettle? Anyway, he said that this is taking place in colleges across the nation and that parents need to arm their children against this kind of "religious persecution." He also said that atheists persecute the young and high school students through intellectual intimidation.
He said that Christians need to understand the atheists' worldview in order to better combat them even if that means they have to argue their points with atheists, because after all, atheists are, according to Mohler, an "argumentative lot."
So, I think that Paul might have been onto something when he said:
...I do think that the more energy that is expended by theists from all corners to disparage atheism--defending something they claim to be self-evident--the greater the indication that the influence of the atheist movement (such as it is) is being felt. If nothing else, opponents sufficiently respect that influence's potential to deal with it.
Comments
Intellect a threat to theism? Yea, that's right. Who knew that thinking would ever be shunned.
Will the "war on brains" <i>never</i> end?
The Earth is round.
The Earth revolves around the Sun, not the other way around.
The Earth is older than 6,000 years. Way, WAY older.
No one wants to close your church.
Why do you want to close our minds?
Travis... the currency of religion is 'belief'... the ILLUSION of knowledge. That makes ACTUAL 'knowledge'... along with its sidekick, 'reason'... a dire, constantly looming, existential threat.
What Martin Luther said is still true...
"There is on earth among all dangers no more dangerous thing than a richly endowed and adroit reason, especially if she enters into spiritual matters which concern the soul and God. For it is more possible to teach a donkey to read than to blind such a reason and lead it right; for reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed. Faith must trample underfoot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees must be put out of sight and … know nothing but the word of God."~ Martin Luther (Works Vol. 12)
"Whoever wishes to be a Christian, let him tear out the eyes of his reason." ~ Martin Luther (First Psalm Lectures, Luther's Works, Vol. 11, p.285)
"Reason should be destroyed in all Christians." ~ Martin Luther
And here is the sort of stuff they were worried about...
"People gave ear to an upstart astrologer [Copernicus] who strove to show that the earth revolves, not the heavens or the firmament, the sun and the moon. Whoever wishes to appear clever must devise some new system, which of all systems is of course the very best. This fool [or 'man'] wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy; but sacred Scripture tells us that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and not the earth." ~ Martin Luther, Table Talk
"Those who assert that 'the earth moves and turns'...[are] motivated by 'a spirit of bitterness, contradiction, and faultfinding;' possessed by the devil, they aimed 'to pervert the order of nature'." ~ John Calvin, sermon no. 8 on 1st Corinthians, 677, cited in John Calvin: A Sixteenth Century Portrait by William J. Bouwsma (Oxford Univ. Press, 1988), A. 72
"The heavens revolve daily, and, immense as is their fabric, and inconceivable the rapidity of their revolutions, we experience no concussion -- no disturbance in the harmony of their motion. The sun, though varying its course every diurnal revolution, returns annually to the same point. The planets, in all their wandering, maintain their respective positions. How could the earth hang suspended in the air were it not upheld by God's hand? (Job 26:7) By what means could it [the earth] maintain itself unmoved, while the heavens above are in constant rapid motion, did not its Divine Maker fix and establish it? Accordingly the particle, ape, denoting emphasis, is introduced -- YEA, he hath established it." ~ John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 93, verse 1, trans., James Anderson (Eerdman's, 1949), Vol. 4, p. 7
"Scripture simply says that the moon, the sun, and the stars were placed in the firmament of the heaven, below and above which heaven are the waters... It is likely that the stars are fastened to the firmament like globes of fire, to shed light at night... We Christians must be different from the philosophers in the way we think about the causes of things. And if some are beyond our comprehension like those before us concerning the waters above the heavens, we must believe them rather than wickedly deny them or presumptuously interpret them in conformity with our understanding." ~ Martin Luther
"The pursuit of knowledge, unless sanctified by a holy mission, is a pagan act and therefore vile." ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the most influential Christian of his time
And here is why the christ-cult is 'true'...
"And the Son of God died; it is by all means to be believed, because it is absurd. And He was buried and rose again; the fact is certain because it is impossible." ~ St. Tertullian (about 155 to 225 CE)
Yep, They're afraid. Very afraid.
Thanks for the plug. :)
I noticed the Dobson thing too. I never would have thought that anyone would be afraid of the strength of the atheist argument! People are so often soooo content to rest on the laurels of faith-as-virtue-in-itself. They must honestly see a threat though, because they aren't *treating* us like a goofy subculture (as much as usual that is), but as a formidable opponent. Hmmmm.
I believe this fear on the part of Christians is dangerous. Even in the US, Hitchens and company are poking at a hornets nest. If the atheists show signs of gaining ground, it will terrify the Christians and make them take desperate measures.
This is the reason that secularism was invented. Under this paradigm, everybody agrees that religious argument is to be considered invalid in any public context. Politeness dictates: Don't force me to talk about my religion. Don't force your religion on me. Insist on it. Don't ask. Don't tell. Simple rules of etiquette, like not holding a knife to your neighbor's throat. The secular compromise is the safeguard of civilization. That's the way to avoid any more 100 year wars.
Atheist will soon be singing "we are the champions!!!"
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