To my brothers and sisters, Peace and Love,
Brother Ryan Adams sent a video over the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) Agora email list. In it Richard Dawkins was giving a talk in Lynchberg, Virginia, concerning his book The God Delusion. Several thoughts came as I watched the video.
1) Dawkins believes that if one is intelligent and educated that they will no longer believe in God. He further asserts that there are many atheists and agnostics in the closet in America. Is this really the case? Since I am a minister, does this automatically make me unintelligent and ignorant? I know I received a high-level education at UDM. In addition, there may be many theists in the closet in the scientific community.
2) Dawkins says that atheists and homosexuals are the last two unelectable groups in America. He states that Blacks, women, Jews, etc. are well accepted in American politics. Well, is this the case? It is true, there have been Blacks in congress. However, there have never been more than one Black in the U.S. Senate at any given time in history. Also, “when the 110th Congress first convened, Democrat Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, Keith Ellison became the first Muslim in Congress, and Mazie Hirono and Hank Johnson became the first Buddhists in Congress.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/110th_United_States_Congress) There has never been a Black, Women, Buddhist, Hindu, or Atheist president. I think he oversimplifies in trying to say everyone is free in American politics, expect atheists and homosexuals.
3) I think Dawkins and the majority audience had too much fun putting down Liberty University.
4) This video reminded me of my time in Wayne State’s graduate philosophy program. All the full-time professors were atheists (well, one I was not sure about). They made it there business, in everyone of their courses, to denounce religion as folly. Several of them said they always take time to refute the existence of God in their introduction to philosophy courses. My problem: tearing down and taking away is one thing, but where is the building. This is just as true for the theist.
5) We must all, in my opinion, adhere in some fashion to Matthew 25:35-40, where Christ charges us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, house the stranger (homeless), clothe the naked, visit the sick, and uplift the prisoner. Atheists, Agnostics, and Theists are all at fault for the condition of the world. There is surely room for the philosophical underpinnings Matthew 25:35-40 in all camps.
6) If atheists do want a stronger position in America they must organize around the afore stated verses. In the aftermaths of Katrina, I remember it being commented that religious organizations flocked to the rescue, while the government was very slow, and atheistic organizations were not seen. Dawkins said that atheists are too intelligent to be herded (organized). If this is so, then they will never gain power, for there is power in organization and leadership.
I hope all of you receive something positive from these six thoughts.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight
Written January 30-31, 2007 at age 25
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