"Why we should no longer be cowed by the chattering classes ruling Britain who sneer at Christianity"

[BetsyBoop]

Just thought I'd share I found this a really interesting "Easter essay" in today's Mail.

Wilson is someone who has been there and back and there again, so it's disappointing that he hasn't dealt with some of the most pressing arguments for atheism. Such as: you can't have free will when somebody is holding a gun to your head (believe or else); belief is not a choice or volition - it's like being in love, you either feel it or you don't, so how can you be judged on its absence or presence; the indefensible sadism of hell, the impossibility of being happy in heaven while others are suffering hell (we may well be 'lobotomised' by god but that won't cut it); the fact that the 'chosen people' idea breeds arrogance and elitism; the moral bankruptsy of concepts like original sin (and believe or you will be dammed), and the primitive belief that a human sacrifice can atone for someone else's sin; etc ... this should have been a golden opportunity for him to deal with some of these, or at least present a compelling justification for accepting their perpetual fudging.

"belief is not a choice or volition - it's like being in love, you either feel it or you don't, so how can you be judged on its absence or presence"

I really like that analogy Droile

I agree there are some gaping holes in the article in the areas you mention - there is a bit more substance in the NS article that Callipygia linked, but still not enough on how/why he's started to believe some of the things again that a few years ago he totally disagreed with, an as you say he's well placed to do it having been hopping fence-sides.

Thanks Betsy. I like the Mick Jagger one too, as in, if god said you had to fall in love with Mick Jagger to get into heaven - and I mean really fall in love with him - could you? Could you turn it on just like that?! etc etc....

oh dear, I can't ever imagine loving Mick Jagger......that's me doomed then...

...now if we were talking Robbie Williams instead, that's a whole different story...

(I know, I know, I'm used to everyone saying I have crap taste...before anyone starts on me for picking Robbie Williams )

I'd go for Robbie over Mick any day...

pervy old lady emoticon