Imagine if one of the world's leading Christians--say C.S. Lewis a generation ago, or Billy Graham now--were to reject his religious beliefs and become a atheist. It would be big news! The New York Times would be all over it, for sure, and the question would be why a man who has devoted his life to God would now turn against Him? In sum, the focus would be on what were the reasons for the conversion and on what's so bad about Christianity.
Contrast this with the New York Times' approach to the conversion of philosopher Anthony Flew. Flew has been, for the past half-century, the world's leading advocate of atheism. No one has so relentlessly espoused the atheist cause, and no one has been more anthologized and eulogized by the atheist community. Other twentieth-century philosophers, such as Martin Heidegger and Bertrand Russell, were unbelievers but they did not make atheism central to their philosophical work as did Flew. Flew's atheism long precedes that of latecomers like Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens.
Now, in his early eighties, Flew has rejected atheism and said he believes that God exists. He does not espouse the Christian God, but calls himself a Deist. He says he has a lifelong commitment to following the evidence where it leads, and that new advances in the sciences have shown him that materialism and Darwinism simply cannot account for the world as it is and life as it is. Examining the fine-tuning of the universe and the mind-boggling complexity of the cell (a compexity that evolution presumes but cannot explain), Flew now believes that the design of the universe requires a designer. He gives his reasons in a new book There Is a God which is co-authored with Roy Abraham Varghese.
When something like this happens, the New York TImes goes into mafia-style intellectual hit mode. They selected Mark Oppenheimer of Yale, who visited Flew in England and wrote a long piece in the November 4, 2007 New York Times Magazine suggesting that Flew converted because he is, well, senile. The basic idea is that Flew has lost his mind and can't remember anything, and when Christian apologists like Varghese were nice to him Flew basically surrendered to them and let them write his book.
The only evidence that Flew has lost his mind is that he's 84 years old. A man of 84 naturally loses some of his memory, especially for names, but this does not mean he has lost his marbles. Flew's own writings of the past few years are all entirely coherent and employ sophisticated philosophical vocabulary. While Flew seems to have asked his collaborator Varghese to write a draft of his life story, it was Flew who reviewed and approved the final contents. There is nothing in the Times' article that shows Flew to be incapable of a reasoned change of mind and heart.
I realize that atheists--including those at the New York Times--are embarassed at having to surrender one of their most stalwart champions to theism. Maybe they too should consider following the evidence where it leads? Too closed-minded to consider Flew's arguments, these fellows would much rather belittle the intellectual capacity of the man they once revered. Hell hath no fury like an atheist scorned.
Reader Comments ( Page 6 of 84)
76. I don't need to look inside my heart to realize that nobody is there Rita. Many open heart surgeries have been done on many people, and not one doctor has seen a tiny man sitting on a throne in anyone's heart. If I ever happen to see god, I will spit in his face for creating a world where even his own 'followers' are murderous villians. I will gladly be sent to hell for just the chance to do that.
John Mayoral at 12:11PM on Nov 16th 2007
77. If my child grows up to be either of those, I would be a failure of a father. I would not be physically responsible for his actions, but I would feel responsible that he or she turned out that way. I will do my best to intervene before any of that happens.
With this, I say that if god does exist, then he is a failure as a father.
John Mayoral at 11:52AM on Nov 16th 2007
John, many children grow up and leave that which they were taught. It's not necessarily the fault of the parent. If a child is taught to do good, but does bad the rest of his/her life, how is this a reflection of the way the child was raised. The child knew what to do from the parents' instructions but chose to ignore them anyway. How can you blame yourself for the child's actions if you did what you could? The child/grown up, is responsible for his/her own actions, and you know it.
dena at 12:16PM on Nov 16th 2007
78. lol, oh Stuart, don't pout. here's a kiss on the cheek for ya.
dena at 12:19PM on Nov 16th 2007
79. (To further Mugzlax's issue) One question I've always wanted to ask a Christian (the kind who thinks you need to be "saved" to dodge hellfire) is if they think it's right and fair for the world to be that way, or that that's just the way it is, and getting "saved" is just what the cruel world order forces us to do. I've also always wanted to word it better than that.
Mokele Mbembe at 12:20PM on Nov 16th 2007
80. magulax,
Glad you brought that up. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, (please check this out don't take my word for it) while his body was buried his sole when to a holding place where all souls good or bad and told them of the good news (they were kept in a place called "Abraham's Bosom", he then took them to heaven before he aross on the third day. To answer your question about baby's (he knows every hair on your head before he places you in your mother's womb), again why do not some babies not make it and others do. Gotta wait and find that one out from the father himself but, I know that in my heart of hearts that one day I will see the child I lost and will be with her for ever and ever. Can't be any better than that!!!!!Rita
Rita at 12:27PM on Nov 16th 2007
81. Rita, I don't know what religion you worship, but it isn't like any christianity I know. I'm really beginning to believe you are part of a cult yourself.
You 'Christians' need to stop ranting. You aren't answering any questions. You just keep repeating the same garbage and ignoring anything that is contrary to your viewpoint.
The evangelical movement in this country isn't about God, it's about power and politics. They want to rule America and they use God as their weapon. They don't pray for me or anyone else. They care only for themselves.
Let's put something else to rest. There is no 'Judeo-Christian' anything. This was an invention by the ring-wing to hide their anti-semitism, disguse their bigotry, pretend that they don't treat non-chistians as sub-human, and make believe that all christians and jews are one big happy family of peace threatened by those evil, satanic muslims. Truth is, everyone who does not follow their regid and absolute religion are satanists condemned to hell. Only they few are the chosen of God and only they will be saved. 99% of the human race is evil according to them. They just won't admit it.
BB at 12:28PM on Nov 16th 2007
82. It is my fervent hope that people like Dena and Rita don't have children to poison.
Not to mention that they are both idiots.
"Islam is an ideal" ???????????????
Rita thinks she is 'teaching' atheists something???
Linda at 12:29PM on Nov 16th 2007
83. 75. The argument that one needs to be "saved" in order to get in to heaven is such B.S. That means if a group of people in a random village never hear of Jesus or the Christian god, they will go to hell, even if they never did a bad thing in their life. That also means that every person that died before Jesus did also must have gone to hell, including all of the Jews that believed in the lovely Old Testament god. Also, what about all of the children who die before they can know about Jesus.
I personally don't need to be born again, I was born fine the first time.
mugzlax at 12:13PM on Nov 16th 2007
It is true that many countries and villages had not heard about God and Jesus but that is why there have been missionaries going to these places, and now with the help of Trinity Broadcast Network putting up satelites and receivers even in countries that are anti-christian (a miracle in itself) these people are learning the faith. Many muslims, islamists, buddhists, etc. have denounced their old faiths and become born-again Christians. Some are even preaching the gospel wherever, whenever they can, despite the fact if caught they could be killed. The programs air over the internet and that is how many give their life and souls to God.
According to the bible, Jesus went to hell to teach and preach to those who died before Him to give them a chance to repent, so there is your answer.
dena at 12:33PM on Nov 16th 2007
84. Dena, it is not only through the parent's actions and teaching that children learn, but also through their inaction to supress the bad tendancies. A parent can teach their child all their life not to steal, but if the child isn't reprimanded for stealing, then the child will keep stealing. So, therefore, I stick to my previous statement that if my child ever grows up to be a bad person, then I take responsibility for being a bad parent.
John Mayoral at 12:38PM on Nov 16th 2007
85. 81. It is my fervent hope that people like Dena and Rita don't have children to poison.
Not to mention that they are both idiots.
"Islam is an ideal" ???????????????
Rita thinks she is 'teaching' atheists something???
Linda at 12:29PM on Nov 16th 2007
Linda, you can't even teach yourself anything..I have never seen anything of substance from you only spitefulness. Where are your theories? Please write something intelligent next time. Your bashing is getting old and stale and have no affect.
dena at 12:39PM on Nov 16th 2007
86. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.
Evolution could certainly be considered to be an extraordinary claim.
It has to back it up the extraordinary proof of 160 years of hard science and reproducable experimentation that has only refined and substantiated evolutionary theory.
It has in addition further validation from paleontology and physical anthropology.
Everything there converges with molecular genetics, microbiology, taxonomy, biochemistry and every other area of study in life science.
There is abundant evidence of speciation, an absolute proof that all species did not arrive fully formed and differentiated as creationism/id demands. It's been observed in the wild and done in the lab for well over a century.
On the other hand, creationism/intelligent design is an even MORE extraordinary claim.
It has nothing but superstition and sophomoric logical fallacy to prop it up.
It offers NO intelligent design alternate explanation for the mechanics of dna, self replicating molecules or the continual generation of totally new, unique species of every kingdom of life on an hourly basis.
It can make no claim of any kind that can be backed up by a reproducable experiment.
The claims it does make are in direct conflict with even the most basic tenets of physical and biological science.
For example, their claim that the universe is only 6,000 years old (upped from 4,000 when I was in college) demands a speed of light 2 million times faster than experimentation, observation and mathematics verifies.
Their claim that all species of plant and animal were made at the same time is refuted by evidence of continual speciation. By the time I finish typing the sentence, there will be new species of microbes that never existed before this instant.
ID was only dreamed up a few years ago to try to foist creationism off as a science after 'creation science' was uniformly dismissed as silly. Their intentions are sinister. I view them as satanic.
The most obvious flaw in creationism/intelligent design mythology is that anyone, including someone who has no more scientific literacy than a third grader can immerse themselves in ID dogma and instantly through magic know in their organ that pumps blood that they are more learned and are therefore the intellectual superior of any infidel.
They believe they know more about the science they didn't study or learn in middle school than an individual with world class intelligence and billions of real dollar productivity as a result of the work they've done in their field.
This is only possible with magic and superstition, and it is only possible internally.
Believing in all this won't cure cancer or play a CD (lasers need quantum mechanics) or run a city or find a vaccine for a mutated virus or explore the universes we dwell within.
ID is the credo of benightedness, hopelessness and despair. Science and information should not be the enemy of ANY human being.
Clif Kuplen at 12:39PM on Nov 16th 2007
87. Rita,
I think I know where your spelling errors come from. You don't type your comments, it looks like you use a voice-to-text utility, which finds your words phonetically, but also fails in the ambiguity of homophones. If it's true it's not your fault. It's speak-to-type, am I right? Just curious.
Mokele Mbembe at 12:39PM on Nov 16th 2007
88. (To discuss Mugzlax's issue) If someone lives and dies without learning of Jesus, is it their fault for their ill-fated afterlife, or is that just the way it is?
Mokele Mbembe at 12:45PM on Nov 16th 2007
89. BB & Linda,
God is surely in the house today. Such hate and poison coming our of your mouths. Why not find out for yourselves from the Bible? it is the written word of God ooops forgot you don't anything to do with the Bible. Linda, I know that you have your issues about God and don't believe. BB, don't know what you believe or not. But, to answer your questions. Yes Jesus did just as I told you and yes thank you I have Five very lovely daughters and 18 grandchildren. You should see us all in church we take up a lot of pews. When will you get in thru your heads that we are Christians we will not go away, I have been a Christian for a long time and have studied the Bible for a long time. I believe that each and everyone of us are going to have to face judgement in front of GOD someday and I personally want to be told "great job" now welcome home. This world is only temporary and I hope that some of you go to the Bible and find out for yourself that God loves you and only wants the very best for you. However, that does not say that we as Christians have clear sailing all the way to Heaven, we have hurts and heartaches just like the rest of you but, we do have a person who we can go to and discuss those hurts and tears and he has promised that one day he will dole out the justice his way. Our ways are not God's way. Our times are not God's times. So, when you are so busy spining around and around and nothing in your life is making sense then just go to GOD and I promise you will like the results. Rita
Rita at 12:46PM on Nov 16th 2007
90. I cannot attest to the veracity of what’s written in There is a God: However, as an attorney familiar with the standard of "undue influence" its important for all of us not to miss the greater point that our intellectual will (built on wisdom, experience, and study) not be besmirched simply because we are older.
Flew says he has a lifelong commitment to going "where the evidence leads." And now, he maintains, the evidence leads to theism. His describes his own past writings as a "relic." Flew writes,
(Flew writes)
"My discovery of the divine has proceeded on a purely natural level, without any reference to supernatural phenomena...It has had no connection with any of the revealed religions. Nor do I claim to have had any personal experience of God or any experience that may be called supernatural or miraculous. My discovery of the divine has been a pilgrimage of reason and not of faith."
Flews intellectual journey toward belief is documented, feely acceded to and genuine. This is a coup of the greatest kind for theism given the prestige Flew held as a former atheist. Just as a disinherited family member often contests a relatives “will” out of spite. It is entirely plausible that this article hopes to paint Flew’s conversion as the meandering of a dithering old man – rather than concede the genuine power of the renunciation of contemporary philosophies most strident atheists.
(Question)
Benjamin Wiker: You say in There is a God, that "it may well be that no one is as surprised as I am that my exploration of the Divine has after all these years turned from denial…to discovery." Everyone else was certainly very surprised as well, perhaps all the more so since on our end, it seemed so sudden. But in There is a God, we find that it was actually a very gradual process—a "two decade migration," as you call it. God was the conclusion of a rather long argument, then. But wasn't there a point in the "argument" where you found yourself suddenly surprised by the realization that "There is a God" after all? So that, in some sense, you really did "hear a Voice that says" in the evidence itself " 'Can you hear me now?'"
(Flew writes)
Anthony Flew: There were two factors in particular that were decisive. One was my growing empathy with the insight of Einstein and other noted scientists that there had to be an Intelligence behind the integrated complexity of the physical Universe. The second was my own insight that the integrated complexity of life itself – which is far more complex than the physical Universe – can only be explained in terms of an Intelligent Source. I believe that the origin of life and reproduction simply cannot be explained from a biological standpoint despite numerous efforts to do so. With every passing year, the more that was discovered about the richness and inherent intelligence of life, the less it seemed likely that a chemical soup could magically generate the genetic code. The difference between life and non-life, it became apparent to me, was ontological and not chemical. The best confirmation of this radical gulf is Richard Dawkins' comical effort to argue in The God Delusion that the origin of life can be attributed to a "lucky chance." If that's the best argument you have, then the game is over. No, I did not hear a Voice. It was the evidence itself that led me to this conclusion.
Fitz at 12:46PM on Nov 16th 2007