tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702498547782657636.post5063092738516827101..comments2023-02-15T00:15:50.873-08:00Comments on Soul Search: Why theology isn’t for laypeopleSoul Searcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484611864233206491noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702498547782657636.post-20359978240929002162013-09-26T16:24:21.368-07:002013-09-26T16:24:21.368-07:00You know, only this morning I found myself stating...You know, only this morning I found myself stating in conversation the very opposite to the point that you've picked up on, saying that I didn't see why science and faith had to be incompatible after all. So my own argument is burning more dimly, it would seem. <br /><br />How people behave in church is another kettle of fish entirely. What's worrying is that some of them believe it's only their faith in God that stops them being even worse than they already are, while out there among the unchurched there are people treating one another charmingly without any divine goading or threats of punishment for doing otherwise. Soul Searcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01484611864233206491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702498547782657636.post-43501354687245102922013-09-26T15:19:26.408-07:002013-09-26T15:19:26.408-07:00" The arguments against the existence of the ..." The arguments against the existence of the Christian god in particular are practically unassailable"........Not that long ago, I had an unexpected liaison with a scientist who introduced himself to me as a life-long atheist. After describing some of what and who he was involved with professionally, he continued to tell me that, in light of on-going scientific discovery, he could not maintain his atheistic position. Not only that, he went on to state that any god or creator would, in his view, probably need to be of the personal variety. His previously held claims that could not be doubted or argued with had "crumbled". (his word).<br /><br />Arguments, unassailable or otherwise, appear in many cases to shine brightly or dimly depending on any number of factors. One day a scientist of considerable intellect and learning finds faith, citing advances in science; the next, a poor soul devastated by tragedy loses theirs. I've witnessed both. It seems to me that human experiences, and perhaps even the afore-mentioned "God-shaped hole" make most arguments, practically at least, far from impregnable.<br /><br />The most surprising argument I heard against the existence of God came in a conversation with a particularly determined atheist. I asked him for the primary reason why he no longer believed in God (backtracking - meant to say he'd been brought up in a christian family). "The way people in church treat each other" was his immediate response. How sad. That gave me more to think about than all the Dawkins, Grayling and Harris that I've digested. Alannoreply@blogger.com