Richard Dawkins Laments The Decline Of Christianity In England, Calls Himself "Culturally Christian"

I’ve read his stuff. It makes a lot of sense.
I also have come back around to realizing that although I am mostly agnostic/atheist or whatever…. I still respect and value what Christianity has done for me and my family.
I am consistently drawn to those with these similar values.
I used to mock and shun those who believed. I feel like I’ve grown out of that stage and believe some sort of similar value set or framework is healthy and necessary for society.

 

Atheists have to be gnashing their teeth. First, the world’s leading atheist comes out of the closet as an agnostic, now he’s converted to cultural Christianity.

 

The idea a person who believes in no god cannot have a “value set” seems kind of bizarre for someone that labels themselves an atheist.

I tend to think most “civilized” people have a value set, and it mostly overlaps a great deal with Christian values, but realistically that’s because at some level basic “values” is a requirement of functioning society irrespective of religion. It is neither exclusive to nor invented by Christianity. I’m not convinced Christians do any better at the “values” thing, certainly not some of the bastardized U.S. forms. I mean ffs look at evangelicals and their “champion”. If anything I’d have to conclude the opposite.

 

Why? Do you think this guy is like… the Pope of atheists? Suddenly, all atheists will fall in line or question things? Pretty sure that’s not how that works.

Social media addiction might have you “believe” otherwise.

 

Certainly atheists all over revel in his “gotcha” debate moments. I see it all the time. But yes, when Dawkins is baptized they’ll throw him overboard.

 

We have had some discussions in the past as on your belief that anything other than complete devotion to the Bible will lead to eternal damnation. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on why the G-d you worship is superior to the G-d worshipped by Jews and Muslims, the same G-d worshipped by Abraham.

 

It’s clear that you’ve read the Bible.

From a helicopter.

 

Lol! "I like Christianity, just without the Christ stuff..."

Hey, world's most prominent living militant atheist comes out and tips his hat to Christianity vis a vis Islam...

I'll give him credit for publicly stating something most everyone in civilized society intuitively knows and believes, but which our virulently polluted political left could never itself, deign to acknowledge.

That's something, I guess.

 

Most seriously devout American Christians like Christianity without all the icky caring about the poor parts.

 

I believe he's Jewish. His "Bible" thetefore, is the OT.

His point is well taken imho, wrt the "God of Abraham" being the one and same one true God, the same worshipped by Muslims, Jews, and Christians. The differences are in our understanding of God, and of course, how we worship Him.

Jmho/fwiw

 

I tend not to watch the video interviews much, but really enjoyed that. Thanks for posting it. I don't know how much people take whatever Dawkins says as some kind of guide for their own life. He's certainly a clear and interesting thinker. I'm not sure that most atheists would have a big problem with his thoughts.
I'm certainly not a believer, but having spent some time in church and living my life in this country, I guess I'm a cultural Christian. Though I'd never thought about it that way.

 

Gaslit non-responses from you are expected. But tell me this, what does the Bible say about the Koran (a book written about 600 years AFTER the birth of Christianity)? And while we’re at it, me where in the Bible it says that Old Testament somehow doesn’t count anymore?

 

And they out-do their secular counterparts in that area as well.

 

“Comparative religions is the best way to become comparatively religious.”
— G.K. Chesterton —

 

Or as GK Chesterton famously put it: "Christianity hasn't been tried, and found wanting. It's been found difficult, and therefore left largely untried." (paraphrasing).

But perhaps our difference is mostly in how you would purport to "care for" the poor--by making all of us poor and subservient to your diety, the Omnopotent Government-- vs us, who'd seek to afford them the opportunity-or rather/at least, preserve an avenue--for them to work their way out of poverty.

 

And that is precisely the point. Faith is by definition individualistic. The three Abrahamic-based religions all worship the same G-d. How one does so, how one finds that faith, should not matter, and more importantly, should not be judged by anyone here on Earth.

 

The difference is more like that celebrity pastors need to build megachurches and drive Lambos instead of donating anything to charities for the poor.

 

I'm agnostic and enjoy Christmas time, for example. I also appreciate beautiful architecture, whether it's Christian or not. Interesting that Dawkins pushed back when she mentioned fundamentalism, as he suggests that's more uniquely American (I don't know if that's a fair characterization or not). As a non believer, I do have concerns about what happens to those who found social support and purpose in their churches over the years and believe there can be no purpose or morality unless the Bible is the literal and exclusive word of God. If they lose their faith and support network, what are they going to replace those things with, if anything?