I don't see answering whether belief is a question of choice by reference to a religious belief, which is the same as referring to Calvin and Paul for the answer. And if theology grows out of the belief, that doesn't mean the theology is not irrational, it means only that it is logically consistent if the validity of the premise (belief) is conceded. Nor is faith more rational if one values it for touching something deeper and more profound. Deeper that what? More profound than what? And how do we know?
Atheists aren't trying to persuade anyone of anything. Most are too laid back to care what others believe, although they try to teach others the difference between rational, evidence-based conclusions and beliefs which are not proved. One can choose to look for proof or not, and to be guided by success in finding proof. Susan David E. Guinn wrote: > It does seem to me that one of the most compelling arguments in favor > of religious freedom is the recognition that religious belief is not > simply a matter of choice--like deciding whether or not to join a > fraternity or sorority. As Calvin and Paul suggested, it is a product > of grace. That does not mean that people of faith are irrational with > respect to the theology that grows out of that belief, it does mean > that faith touches something much deeper and more profound. > > That said, I think the evangelical fervor displayed by the > neo-atheists (as E.J. Dionne so aptly labels them) demonstrates that > this religious connection can attach to a materialist ideology as well > as a transcendentalist one. The mistake Harris and company make is in > thinking that their choices are purely rational and that everyone > should believe exactly as they do. (Sounds like some religious > fundamentalists to me.) > > In this sense, I think the issue does touch significantly on religion > and law. > > David > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 08:58:10 -0400 > Subject: Re: "Mormon Student, Justice, ACLU Join Up" > To: religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu > > I'd welcome an on-list discussion of this matter, with > Eugene's permission of course. > > Bobby > > Robert Justin Lipkin > Professor of Law > Widener University School of Law > Delaware > */ > /**/Ratio Juris/*, Contributor: http://ratiojuris.blogspot.com/*/*/ > Essentially Contested America/*, *Editor-In-Chief > *http://www.essentiallycontestedamerica.org//* > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com > <http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour/?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000982>. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Discover the new Windows Vista Learn more! > <http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see > http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlaw > > Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as > private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; > people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) > forward the messages to others. _______________________________________________ To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlaw Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others.
