Well, let's start with this staggering quote you somehow missed.
First, I assume that the major barriers to belief in God are not rational but-in a general sense- can be called psychological.
Talk about begging the question... ROFL.
yes, I'll concede that if you ignore all the rational arguments against accepting the existence of deity X (as transcribed by assorted primitive agents of superstition 2-4000 years ago), you're left with the ones involving the mind.
I am quite convinced that for every person strongly swayed by rational argument there are many, many more affected by nonrational psychological factors.
Yep... these are the ones who can be seen at worship every week.
my reasons for becoming and for remaining an atheist-skeptic from about age 18 to 38 were superficial, irrational, and largely without intellectual or moral integrity. Furthermore, I am convinced that my motives were, and still are, commonplace today among intellectuals, especially social scientists.
Paraphrased... I was a shallow fool but believe I have changed, so now those agreeing with my former stance must be wrong.
Jeez. Because this guy lacks intellectual rigour, wisdom or insight he believes that no one else has them? Or is he just desperate for others to justify his choice, in the way that pyramid salespeople are desperate to find other suckers to justify their own gullibility?
Then a succession of ad hominem 'deductions', with finally the bizarre and patronising conclusion:
However easy it may be to state the hypothesis of the "defective father," we must not forget the difficulty, the pain, and complexity that lie behind each individual case. And for those whose atheism has been conditioned by a father who rejected, who denied, who hated, who manipulated, or who physically or sexually abused them, there must be understanding and compassion.
Well, I suppose there probably are some atheists who have had an imperfect father. And as many Xtians who have suffered similarly. And some of the former may well blame an imaginary being, and go into denial. OTOH, what of the latter who invent an ideal father to replace the one they didn't have? Personally, I'd say this is a far better argument - which child has not dreamt and hoped for a perfect world? and we know how hard it can be to shed all childish wishes as we mature...
Bu I suppose if you exclude the rational, this is what you get. |
