John Polkinghorne reviews two books contributing to the recent conversation on atheism which has been accelerated by Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett. One of the books is written from the point of view of Richard Dawkins' guardian angel, who also was the guardian angel of Charles Darwin. Polkinghorne was professor of mathematical physics at Cambridge and is also an Anglican priest.
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‘Dawkins is relentlessly rude about religious believers. They are said to be “malevolent, barking mad, mendacious, deluded” and much more.’
A quick search of ‘The God Delusion’ reveals that Polkinghorne is being mendacious here. No religious believers are referred to as ‘malevolent’
I admit though that The God Delusion refers to Joseph Smith as ‘mendacious’.
Thank God Anglical priests are prepared to speak up for the veracity and downright honesty of Joseph Smith.
Dawkins writes ‘I have described atonement, the central doctrine of Christianity, as vicious, sado-masochistic and repellent. We should also dismiss it as barking mad, but for its ubiquitous familiarity which has dulled our objectivity.’
So Dawkins refers to ‘atonement’ as ‘barking mad’ and John (Liar, liar, pants on fire) Polkinghorne says Dawkins refers to religious believers as barking mad.
Why do Christians feel the need to lie so much? Can’t they help it? Don’t they know how easily they will be caught out?
It is clear from reading The God Delusion that Dawkins is out of his league when it comes to religion. He simply does not know what he is talking about. While I may disagree with Polkinghorne on a matter or two it is obvious that he has taken the time to become well versed in science and religion. Richard Dawkins is merely trading on his scientific reputation to puff away about his religious opinions. What I wonder about is why Professor Dawkins is so wrought up about a God who he believes is a delusion.
MP
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