Some justify their part-belief in a religious dogma by pointing out the ways in which the dogma as a whole is useful - as a metaphor to explain what we don't understand, to provide a sense of community we otherwise wouldn't have or, like Peter Hitchens does in that article, as an ethical path we wouldn't follow - while seeing no reason to think the theology true.
As Bertrand Russell put it: "I can respect the men who argue that religion is true and therefore ought to be believed, but I can only feel profound moral reprobation for those who say that religion ought to be believed because it is useful, and that to ask whether it is true is a waste of time."
Fair enough, Frank, though I would like to ask what part or parts of Christian theology and the Bible do you believe are true and why do you believe them to be true?
Some justify their part-belief in a religious dogma by pointing out the ways in which the dogma as a whole is useful - as a metaphor to explain what we don't understand, to provide a sense of community we otherwise wouldn't have or, like Peter Hitchens does in that article, as an ethical path we wouldn't follow - while seeing no reason to think the theology true.
ReplyDeleteAs Bertrand Russell put it: "I can respect the men who argue that religion is true and therefore ought to be believed, but I can only feel profound moral reprobation for those who say that religion ought to be believed because it is useful, and that to ask whether it is true is a waste of time."
My God, Noel, you've found one the few things Russell said that I'm inclined to agree with. Please note that I posted this link without comment.
ReplyDeleteFair enough, Frank, though I would like to ask what part or parts of Christian theology and the Bible do you believe are true and why do you believe them to be true?
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