This morning I caught a snippet of Bill Maher on "The View" talking about his new movie, which is an attack on theism and religion. I'm not sure if Maher considers himself an atheist or agnostic, but he is at the very least an antagonist.
I wonder if Maher is familiar with the story of Anthony Flew. When I was in seminary in the late 80s, one of the chief nemeses of the Christian faith was this atheist philosopher, Flew. I've slept since then, so I can't say I remember much about his chief arguments about Christianity. All I remember was that he was intelligent, virulently anti-religion, and hard to ignore.
Imagine my delight a few years ago when it came out that Flew has migrated to a belief in some sort of higher power. He has not confessed Christ, but he is a kind of "theist". Flew turning away from atheism would be like the equivalent of Billy Graham deciding that there really is no God.
One wonders how Maher can be so smug in his certainty. He may think that he has it all figured out, but really how could he be sure? Is it likely that only a few enlightened individuals in the world see the truth for what it is, and the rest of us mere mortals are ignorant or demented (including now Flew)?
If the universal testimony of humanity is in favor of theism, aren't you forced to produce incontrovertable proof that God doesn't exist? Has Maher managed? If even a top notch philosopher like Flew eventually succumbed, how will Maher manage? Perhaps a man like Maher is simply not smart enough to see how impossible his case truly is. It is easy to become deluded and believe something you want to think is true. A proud man may ignore opposing data in order to appear right.
The Bible says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" There is nothing new here. Bill is not the first and will not be the last to mock the belief in God. It is sad to watch a blind man mock those with sight. You cannot prove to him that there is such a thing as light, color, or image. If he wants to insist in his superior reason and accuse the sighted of delusion, you cannot help him.
I wonder if Maher is familiar with the story of Anthony Flew. When I was in seminary in the late 80s, one of the chief nemeses of the Christian faith was this atheist philosopher, Flew. I've slept since then, so I can't say I remember much about his chief arguments about Christianity. All I remember was that he was intelligent, virulently anti-religion, and hard to ignore.
Imagine my delight a few years ago when it came out that Flew has migrated to a belief in some sort of higher power. He has not confessed Christ, but he is a kind of "theist". Flew turning away from atheism would be like the equivalent of Billy Graham deciding that there really is no God.
One wonders how Maher can be so smug in his certainty. He may think that he has it all figured out, but really how could he be sure? Is it likely that only a few enlightened individuals in the world see the truth for what it is, and the rest of us mere mortals are ignorant or demented (including now Flew)?
If the universal testimony of humanity is in favor of theism, aren't you forced to produce incontrovertable proof that God doesn't exist? Has Maher managed? If even a top notch philosopher like Flew eventually succumbed, how will Maher manage? Perhaps a man like Maher is simply not smart enough to see how impossible his case truly is. It is easy to become deluded and believe something you want to think is true. A proud man may ignore opposing data in order to appear right.
The Bible says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" There is nothing new here. Bill is not the first and will not be the last to mock the belief in God. It is sad to watch a blind man mock those with sight. You cannot prove to him that there is such a thing as light, color, or image. If he wants to insist in his superior reason and accuse the sighted of delusion, you cannot help him.
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1 comment:
I doubt that Maher would have the impact of C.S. Lewis, but there is hope that he may someday convert
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