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Former Atheist Explains How Rationality, Not Emotion, Encourages Religious Belief

By Filings on Fri, 12/14/18
Bible, Theology & Philosophy
Atheism
Reason
C.S. Lewis

“Today’s atheists insist that religion and Christianity are necessary because they provide the emotional crutch for difficult times. But Lewis’ journey provides a different picture. Who do you think is right?” - Intellectual Takeout

Discussion

Profile picture for user Aaron Blumer
Aaron Blumer

NewSchaeffer

Fri, 12/14/18

Francis Schaeffer discussed this problem at some length in The God Who Is There. Arguing that western culture had lost any rational definition of truth (Schaeffer’s “antithesis”… the idea that any true assertion falsifies its opposite) with the result that in philosophy, the arts, and eventually theology, thought leaders widely embraced “connotation words” — words that evoke the right sort of feelings but aren’t intended to communicate the realities they used to be used to communicate (Schaeffer uses the term “space-time reality” to emphasize the distinction between real meaning vs. metaphors and mood words).

So many of the modern atheists are now saying religion is untrue but useful. Thinkers have been saying this for quite a while now, but it does seem to be gaining popularity. (Shaeffer uses the word “despair” a lot in reference to idea that mankind can only cope by embracing lies. Our suicide rate is not coincidental in my opinion.)

The Bible insists that what we are called to believe really happened in real places at real points in history … and that faith has real consequences as it relates us properly to the God who is real — “The God Who Is There.”

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.

Related . . .

Topics: Atheism, John MacArthur, Thanksgiving
  • The atheists’ dilemma: whom do you thank when you think there’s no one to be grateful to?
  • "Taken in the context of the whole pledge, the phrase 'under God' does not convey a message of endorsement"
  • Is the New Atheism Dead?
  • New book 'Secularism: The Basics’ says secularism isn't atheism and the difference is important
  • "The Secular Student Alliance, which promotes atheism and humanism" aims for 50 new high school clubs.

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Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

(ESV, Proverbs 17:27)

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