On 10 Dec 2004, Jim Guinee wrote: > It truly IS the season of miracles ;) > > Famous Atheist Now Believes in God > > By RICHARD N. OSTLING, AP Religion Writer
It may be an indication of the increasing desperation of supporters of conventional religious belief that this news is seen as cause for celebration. The article notes: " Flew [Antony Flew, the former atheist in question] said he's best labeled a deist like Thomas Jefferson, whose God was not actively involved in people's lives. "I'm thinking of a God very different from the God of the Christian and far and away from the God of Islam, because both are depicted as omnipotent Oriental despots, cosmic Saddam Husseins," he said". This doesn't sound much like traditional religious claims for God, certainly not for One who increases in vitro fertilization rate in response to anonymous prayer. How different is a God who doesn't intervene from no God at all? The article also says Flew is 81 years old. By coincidence, I just finished reading a article on Iris Murdoch, the acclaimed British novelist. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at age 76, soon after writing her last novel, _Jackson's Dilemma_, which was poorly received. Garrard et al (2004) carried out a computer analysis of this novel in comparison with two others of hers--her first novel, _Under the Net_, and her finest, _The Sea, the Sea_. They detected subtle signs that the insidious destructive influence of Alzheimer's was already present in her final work. Stephen Garrard, P. et al (2004). The effects of very early Alzheimer's disease on the characteristics of writing by a renowned author. Brain, Dec 1, Epub ahead of print. ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
