Richard Dawkins: 'I am a secular Christian'
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I would assume that if Dawkins ever said he was agnostic, he was only using the word in a purely technical way as it applies to philosophy.
In the study of philosophy, people cannot technically call themselves atheists, because you cannot prove or disprove a negative (as in "God does NOT exist"). Since they view God as nonexistent, then it is technically impossible, in their thinking, to prove or disprove His existence. So to get around this impossibility of logic, the well-studied atheist simply calls himself agnostic, which means "to not know if there is a God".
Most atheists who are trained in their apologetics will call themselves agnostic when they get into a serious debate.
I'm pretty sure he did NOT apply the word agnostic to himself in it's common, everyday sense.
In the study of philosophy, people cannot technically call themselves atheists, because you cannot prove or disprove a negative (as in "God does NOT exist"). Since they view God as nonexistent, then it is technically impossible, in their thinking, to prove or disprove His existence. So to get around this impossibility of logic, the well-studied atheist simply calls himself agnostic, which means "to not know if there is a God".
Most atheists who are trained in their apologetics will call themselves agnostic when they get into a serious debate.
I'm pretty sure he did NOT apply the word agnostic to himself in it's common, everyday sense.
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I agree, in fact most will admit to being both agnostic and atheist.
Most people do not realize they are mutually exclusive because of misuse of the words.
Agnostic refers to knowledge --> I do not know if a god exists
Atheism refers to belief ------> I do not believe that a god exists
Many use the word "agnostic" as some neutral middle ground between belief and non-belief, but logically you can only be one or the other. Either you think a claim is true or you don't. Now if have no knowledge or information to base your decision then you would by default withhold belief.
The term "atheist" is sometimes misused as an anti-theist which essentially is an gnostic atheist who claims to know that a god does not exist. Very rare atheists make this bold claim at least in the general sense, however, concerning a specific God of a religion, this view may be more widely held.
Also important to remember is that there are many different gods, all with different definitions and attributes.
As a christian, this means you are an atheist toward all the other possible gods since you obviously don't believe they exist.
To quote Christopher Hitchens.... "I simply go one God more."
When it comes to philosophical debates about existence of "God", the definition of god can become so broad that you can almost make any logical person into a theist, but that has no bearing on the truth of any religion.
Most people do not realize they are mutually exclusive because of misuse of the words.
Agnostic refers to knowledge --> I do not know if a god exists
Atheism refers to belief ------> I do not believe that a god exists
Many use the word "agnostic" as some neutral middle ground between belief and non-belief, but logically you can only be one or the other. Either you think a claim is true or you don't. Now if have no knowledge or information to base your decision then you would by default withhold belief.
The term "atheist" is sometimes misused as an anti-theist which essentially is an gnostic atheist who claims to know that a god does not exist. Very rare atheists make this bold claim at least in the general sense, however, concerning a specific God of a religion, this view may be more widely held.
Also important to remember is that there are many different gods, all with different definitions and attributes.
As a christian, this means you are an atheist toward all the other possible gods since you obviously don't believe they exist.
To quote Christopher Hitchens.... "I simply go one God more."
When it comes to philosophical debates about existence of "God", the definition of god can become so broad that you can almost make any logical person into a theist, but that has no bearing on the truth of any religion.
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Lol. Dawkins is deluded to the point of foolery and very much deceived by the devil. As the apostle Paul observed of such men, they:
"hold to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:5-7
"hold to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:5-7
Way I see it Dawkins weren't a Christian before, he was one of the biggest western ideological enemies of Christianity. The very fact that Dawkins hard-heart has now cracked and he wants to know more about Christianity is something he should be commended on and we should thank God for. I mean this guy is basically the Charles Darwin of our time. Now he is saying he wants to be a Christian.
Dawkins ain't no pastor, he is now a fledgling Christian. Give him some time and don't turn him away I say.
Dawkins ain't no pastor, he is now a fledgling Christian. Give him some time and don't turn him away I say.
Let's not try to make something out of nothing,
and if you read the article, you'd see this is nothing.
There is no indication his "hard heart has now cracked".
Zero.
He still has ZERO belief in any kind of God.
There is no indication he "wants to know more about Christianity".
Zero
He never says anything of the sort.
There is no indication he is "now a fledgling Christian".
Zero.
He doesn't even believe God exists...
he can't possibly be ANY KIND of Christian.
All he said was he liked the rituals of the Christian Church,
which for him, would seem to mean the rituals of the Anglican Church.
He made it VERY CLEAR he doesn't believe in ANYTHING SUPERNATURAL AT ALL.
Let's clarify.
Yes, in his elder years he is saying some uncharacteristic things.
Maybe he's just missing his childhood... which did include attendance at an Anglican Church.
But he makes it very clear he still doe NOT believe in God, or anything supernatural.
He says CLEARLY that he DOES NOT believe in God at all!!!!
Should we pray for him to get saved?
Sure.
But I would NOT go around telling people Dawkins is a "fledgling christian"...
that is just completely false.
and if you read the article, you'd see this is nothing.
There is no indication his "hard heart has now cracked".
Zero.
He still has ZERO belief in any kind of God.
There is no indication he "wants to know more about Christianity".
Zero
He never says anything of the sort.
There is no indication he is "now a fledgling Christian".
Zero.
He doesn't even believe God exists...
he can't possibly be ANY KIND of Christian.
All he said was he liked the rituals of the Christian Church,
which for him, would seem to mean the rituals of the Anglican Church.
He made it VERY CLEAR he doesn't believe in ANYTHING SUPERNATURAL AT ALL.
Let's clarify.
Yes, in his elder years he is saying some uncharacteristic things.
Maybe he's just missing his childhood... which did include attendance at an Anglican Church.
But he makes it very clear he still doe NOT believe in God, or anything supernatural.
He says CLEARLY that he DOES NOT believe in God at all!!!!
Should we pray for him to get saved?
Sure.
But I would NOT go around telling people Dawkins is a "fledgling christian"...
that is just completely false.
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I'd say that seeing many of Dawkins' hard-hearted atheistic comments that just for the very fact he says he wants to be a Christian is a good indicator his hard-heart has cracked. I see much hope here and hope God will continue to work on Dawkins. The very fact the number one most recognizable atheist of our era just said he wants to be Christian is a pretty big deal and a show of belief and faith no matter how small. Let the sprout grow.
Alright, let's try this one more time.
As far as I understand, Dawkins has always said he had a purely aesthetic appreciation for religious art and ceremony.
He simply reiterated this.
That's all.
It means absolutely nothing.
He didn't say he wants to be a real christian, or hang out with christians, or learn about God, or anything of the sort.
He still has ZERO belief in God or anything supernatural...
and if that's hard to understand, just READ what he says,
he actually SAYS it, clearly, right in the article.
HE BELIEVES IN NOTHING.
All he did in this article, was reiterate that he has an aesthetic appreciate for certain religious things.
That's all.
It means nothing.
He's said that before.
This isn't even a new statement.
It isn't a "change".
He isn't "changing his mind", or "having new thoughts".
This is nothing new.
It isn't even news.
The most he might have done is reiterate his old thoughts with different words,
so it sounded strange.
But that's all.
Nothing new here.
It's a NON STORY.
As far as I understand, Dawkins has always said he had a purely aesthetic appreciation for religious art and ceremony.
He simply reiterated this.
That's all.
It means absolutely nothing.
He didn't say he wants to be a real christian, or hang out with christians, or learn about God, or anything of the sort.
He still has ZERO belief in God or anything supernatural...
and if that's hard to understand, just READ what he says,
he actually SAYS it, clearly, right in the article.
HE BELIEVES IN NOTHING.
All he did in this article, was reiterate that he has an aesthetic appreciate for certain religious things.
That's all.
It means nothing.
He's said that before.
This isn't even a new statement.
It isn't a "change".
He isn't "changing his mind", or "having new thoughts".
This is nothing new.
It isn't even news.
The most he might have done is reiterate his old thoughts with different words,
so it sounded strange.
But that's all.
Nothing new here.
It's a NON STORY.
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And again, if Sir Dawkins has claimed to be an atheist for years and is the foremost champion of atheism of this era and he just admitted he is interested in Christianity and wants to be a Christian then we should let the sprout grow, there is much hope in this story indeed.
Also consider despite Dawkins own beliefs, just for the fact that he was the #1 most prominent atheist and the face of 21st Century Atheism in our current era that his public statement of desiring Christianity will greatly help our unbeliever brethren ease towards learning more about Christ.
Also consider despite Dawkins own beliefs, just for the fact that he was the #1 most prominent atheist and the face of 21st Century Atheism in our current era that his public statement of desiring Christianity will greatly help our unbeliever brethren ease towards learning more about Christ.
Only one, Triune God exists. God rules macrocosms and microcosms.
For the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. (Psalm 96:5)
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, neither is there breath in their mouths. (Psalm 135:15-17)
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, neither is there breath in their mouths. (Psalm 135:15-17)
It was also a big deal when presidents Bush & Obama said they were christians too....... until they proved otherwise. Saying they're something when they're not only qualifies that person as a hypocrite & not much else.
A
More likely, book sales have dropped off so he needs a new gimmick. The man is a bull in a china closet misleading and deceiving people against God wherever he goes.
If he has a road of Damascus experience, and the fruit of it is observably genuine in his talk and walk, then I shall stand down. Until then, he's simply another deceived antichrist that shall be resisted. Show me don't tell me Dawkins.
If he has a road of Damascus experience, and the fruit of it is observably genuine in his talk and walk, then I shall stand down. Until then, he's simply another deceived antichrist that shall be resisted. Show me don't tell me Dawkins.
Works for me. Most ancient gods were the same. Polytheism was the norm, even with creator gods. Creator gods were still, themselves, created. And each god had power over a certain mundane aspect of the world or of human society such as forests, mountains, wine, individual cities or even sewers. If it turns out that the Hebrews had invented God, then I think it's safe to say they broke the mold on that one.
A God who cares for the national enemies of Israel? One who spoke the universe into existence, including the sun and moon - instead of the sun and moon, themselves, being gods. A God who warned against the foolish worship of inanimate objects such as the stars? And warned against the useless reliance upon idols? A God who made foreigners equivalent in the eyes of the law to natives in the land? And a God who instituted laws protecting the rights of slaves. A God who had absolute power over every aspect of the Earth instead of just reigning over sea or sky or wine. In the religious literature of the Jews, YHVH had all the makings of a universal God from the beginning and hadn't just evolved slowly from a household god who favored a specific family or tribe.
In comparison to other contemporaries, I think he's a more logical choice.
Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Jonah 4:11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left--and also many animals?"
Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
1 Kings 20:28 The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.'"
I think the Jews interacted rather uniquely with their God.
A God who cares for the national enemies of Israel? One who spoke the universe into existence, including the sun and moon - instead of the sun and moon, themselves, being gods. A God who warned against the foolish worship of inanimate objects such as the stars? And warned against the useless reliance upon idols? A God who made foreigners equivalent in the eyes of the law to natives in the land? And a God who instituted laws protecting the rights of slaves. A God who had absolute power over every aspect of the Earth instead of just reigning over sea or sky or wine. In the religious literature of the Jews, YHVH had all the makings of a universal God from the beginning and hadn't just evolved slowly from a household god who favored a specific family or tribe.
In comparison to other contemporaries, I think he's a more logical choice.
Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Jonah 4:11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left--and also many animals?"
Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
1 Kings 20:28 The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.'"
I think the Jews interacted rather uniquely with their God.