As you say, many of the harshest, most intolerant, statements on many of these threads that I read from time to time (not often, because they are so wearying) are made by the "anti-faith" crowd. I put this in quotes, because in truth they have their own, anti-supernaturalist, faith. I do somewhat wonder if some of them are "kicking against the goad" as Saul of Tarsus did when persecuting the early Christians.
Clearly, what I said in the next post - that the very fact of the existence of Christians and Christianity is something that they can neither bear nor bear to leave alone.
In the conversion of Saul (later Paul) as recorded in the book of Acts, he is told by the vision of the risen Jesus "It is hard for you to kick against the goad" (King James Version uses the word "pricks"). The implication was that Saul was all the harsher in his persecution because he was resisting what his subconscious told him was true. I am not saying that all who label themselves atheists are this way, but I suspect some are extra vehement because they are afraid that if they give an inch they will start believing in what they do not want to believe. This same thought has been explored by various writers, including Francis Thompson, in his poem Hound of Heaven.
Ok, I get the point. I do know a number of other atheists, who are much more vehement than I am who would say that they are reacting to the way in which religion was forced down their throats either at school or at home which I suspect is not only true but is how they would interpret the "kicking against the goad" quotation. (Isn't is sad that we have to change that quotation because of the other connotations of the word)
I also have to say that on the occasions where the accusation that somehow I really do believe in God and am simply being perverse or am fighting a sub-conscious belief has been put to me, I have found it incredibly irritating and patronising. It may be true in some cases, and the reverse is probably also the case. But for me at least religion is something that I have considered and wrestled with and I know what I think where I have certainties and where I have doubts.
And no, what you said here didn't irritate me, because you drew the distinction between 'all' and 'some'.
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Date: 2008-04-11 06:59 am (UTC)I also have to say that on the occasions where the accusation that somehow I really do believe in God and am simply being perverse or am fighting a sub-conscious belief has been put to me, I have found it incredibly irritating and patronising. It may be true in some cases, and the reverse is probably also the case. But for me at least religion is something that I have considered and wrestled with and I know what I think where I have certainties and where I have doubts.
And no, what you said here didn't irritate me, because you drew the distinction between 'all' and 'some'.
I'll check out the poem you mentioned.