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Bob_Crowley
Guest
Does that represent the philosophical boundary of their thinking with nothing in it?
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Bob_Crowley
Guest
By that line of reasoning a lot of Australians (and probably Americans) are National Royalists. They couldn’t give a fig for royalty, but enjoy the pagentry and spectacle of royal processions and the changing of the guard.
Mind you, they’d at least admit royalty exists, and all the “nostalgia and traditions” are based on an existent reality.
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cranster
Guest
An atheistic military chaplain is an absurdity. The word Chaplain is synonymous with Christianity. An atheistic military chaplain is the same as saying, “I am here to represent that which I believe not to exist”, and bring you hopelessness, and despair in what may be your last moments of life.
There sure seems to be a whole lot of conjuring absurdities going on these days. They are easy to spot. They are usually preceded by the phrase, “So called”.
Some of these absurdities can get you fired if you speak openly, and honestly about them.
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Tenofovir
Guest
It could be because Islam is on the upsurge in the UK. Now I don’t believe Islam is a threat to the UK itself, but people like Dawkins have mentioned that Christianity is a bulwark against more “toxic” or some other term he used when he spoke about Islam, beliefs.
Also Protestant Christianity is part of UK’s national identity. Many people who are atheist still hold to those traditions of national identity - a sort of subtle supremacy - not as bad as Stormfront but of a more subtle nature. This helps against foreigners - such as Eastern European and Asian immigrants and residents, who may be of different religions, e.g. Muslim or Catholic. Not saying everyone is like that but people do uphold the Church as something useful in their nationalist views too.
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EIF5A
Guest
He has until the nanosecond before death to repent and believe. Let’s hope 
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FollowChrist34
Guest
Yes, just a year or so ago, I read this crazy article I think it was in the Guardian or maybe the Independent about “why I still celebrate Christmas.” It’s a time to enjoy family, life, good times, kick the winter blues - and for this it still has value. And then there are those pesky purists who kick back, saying if you don’t believe, don’t celebrate Christmas.
Amazing stuff. Straight out of pagan Rome. But I agree, it’s an understatement to say that Protestantism is an undercurrent in English culture. Years ago, there was this comedian Dave Allen. I remember once he said something to the effect that, it’s true, the English have thrown out Christ, then they just decided they’d replace him. In other words, they adopted the morality (“manners”) and threw out the transcendence and truth behind it. Hence, the NHS, etc.
For practical purposes, I always tell myself, well, they were Catholics up to what, the 15th century? Chaucer was legit. So was Richard Rolle. Don’t give up on England. They’re not stupid and they don’t lack for courage and a good heart. They’ll find their way back. Shakespeare had a soft spot for the old Church.
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seakelp
Guest
I think it’s kind of wonderful.
Here’s a man who has, I think it’s fair to say, devoted a good deal of his life to fighting against the truth of God’s existence. He has said some truly, egregiously and uncalled for things about the nature of Christian faith, and even about Christians themselves. He has been the catalyst, I believe, for many anti-theists out there.
And yet, even this man can’t help but feel drawn to God’s Church. Perhaps he is not drawn for the right reasons. But how can we not see God’s love working even inside this man’s heart?
Imagine what a wonderful thing it would be for this anti-theist to have a conversion, and to accept God’s love for him. It’d be like a modern day Paul.
Here’s a man who has, I think it’s fair to say, devoted a good deal of his life to fighting against the truth of God’s existence. He has said some truly, egregiously and uncalled for things about the nature of Christian faith, and even about Christians themselves. He has been the catalyst, I believe, for many anti-theists out there.
And yet, even this man can’t help but feel drawn to God’s Church. Perhaps he is not drawn for the right reasons. But how can we not see God’s love working even inside this man’s heart?
Imagine what a wonderful thing it would be for this anti-theist to have a conversion, and to accept God’s love for him. It’d be like a modern day Paul.
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RosaryNJ
Guest
I knew a non-religious man describe himself as having “Christian moral values”.
Dawkins alarmed me because he was so hard-core atheist. I’m glad he’s coming around now. There is hope for him. Even Darwin died an agnostic. Intelligent design is all around us.
Dawkins alarmed me because he was so hard-core atheist. I’m glad he’s coming around now. There is hope for him. Even Darwin died an agnostic. Intelligent design is all around us.
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Zzyzx_Road
Guest
I’ll call it progress and thank God for opening his heart this much.
People want to keep throwing stones at him because he hasn’t returned all the way? Be patient. Remember Paul the greatest New Testament writer was once Saul one of the greatest of the early persecutors.
People want to keep throwing stones at him because he hasn’t returned all the way? Be patient. Remember Paul the greatest New Testament writer was once Saul one of the greatest of the early persecutors.
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RACJ
Guest
The term “secular Christian” is an oxymoron. If Jesus was not whom He claimed to be, He was insane. A genius, yes, but definitely not a guy playing with 52 cards. He called God “Daddy”!! You can believe that some of Christ’s ideas were good, but that makes you a Christ-follower, not a Christian. Rob
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RACJ
Guest
Intelligent design is so obvious that one must be willfully blind not to see it. Unless of course one thinks that there is such a thing as a “Blind Watchmaker”.
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sallybutler
Guest
Secular means not bound to or by religious rule, not belonging to or living in monastic or other religious order.
Sounds a lot like people who say they are spiritual, not religious.
To be charitable, maybe he is saying he believes in Christ as God, but doesn’t belong to any particular church.
Sounds a lot like people who say they are spiritual, not religious.
To be charitable, maybe he is saying he believes in Christ as God, but doesn’t belong to any particular church.
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TCEL
Guest
In my opinion, “religious atheist” sounds more accurate!
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RACJ
Guest
Now THAT is wishful thinking, Sally, and definitely not representative of Dawkins’ view.
Rob
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ringil
Guest
Well, for some people it is the “smells and bells” that at least sows the seed.
God builds on our nature and I pray that Mr. Dawkins is gifted with faith.
God builds on our nature and I pray that Mr. Dawkins is gifted with faith.
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HappyCatholic01
Guest
Yes, well, just because I believe in being prepared doesn’t make me a Boy Scout.
Though I guess technically, their valid baptism is what makes them officially Christians, reagrdless of what they believe. Now much good that will do them in God’s eyes, only He can say.
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J_Peterson
Guest
He has claimed to be “culturally Christian” in the past. I think he is saying the same thing here. I really doubt he believes in God but anything is possible with Christ.
Technically most of us here are secular Christians since as you stated, we are not in a religious order. We live our lives as Christians in the secular world.
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Kelt
Guest
Perhaps I can clear up any misunderstanding here - I was present at Mr Dawkins talk at the Hay Festival. He was saying that he was nostalgic looking back to his ‘culturally Christian’ past, just as a secular Jew is nostalgic for Jewish festivals and customs. Dawkins went to Oundle School - a very old Church of England private boarding school founded in 16th century, complete with beautiful buildings and grounds with its own chapel. His childhood would have been steeped in the traditions, ceremonies and music of the church. It was this he was nostalgic for. And of course the Christian church has influenced the way our society has developed. He later said that he should have said Cultural Christian. He could not understand why the American pastor called himself a Christian if he didn’t believe in the supernatural bit. There is NO way that Mr Dawkins will be believing in anything supernatural either.
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abucs
Guest
I don’t know Kelt. Might be his fastest way back to the Best Sellers List.
In all seriousness though, thanks for providing the context of his comment.
In all seriousness though, thanks for providing the context of his comment.
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