用戶:Gluo88/Reading Notes on Atheist Delusions

Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies is a 2009 book by the theologian, philosopher, and cultural commentator David Bentley Hart. 基督教神學家大衛·本特利·哈特教授的著作《無神論幻想》（Atheist Delusions）

該書可以幫助了解關於基督教神學對歷史上聖經批評的結論的看法，以便對聖經有更客觀的分析和了解。 還可以參見有關對其著作《無神論幻想》的評論。

On 27 May 2011, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, awarded the book the Michael Ramsey Prize in Theology.

Is Christ’s resurrection possibly tested by scientific method? (about book: Atheist Delusions)

In the book, page 10 -11, it said that "Dennett’s belief that no one need take seriously any claim that cannot be tested by scientific method is merely fatuous.". The author then argues:

1. By that standard, I need not believe that the widower next door loves the children for whom he tirelessly provides
2. Harris is quite correct to say, for instance, that Christ’s resurrection—like any other historical event—is known only by way of the testimony of others.
   

The above argument look to be not sound. The reason is that "the widower next door loves the children for whom he tirelessly provides" is possible from scientific viewpoint, however, that the Christ’s resurrection is not possible from scientific viewpoint.

p11 the faith inspired by miracles, or dreams on intuitions of the Holy Spirit’s presence is indeed essentially willful and irrational.

"Some also choose to venture out upon the vast seas of Christianity’s philosophical or mystical traditions; and many are inspired by miracles, or dreams, or the apparent working of grace in their lives, or moments of aesthetic transport, or strange raptures, or intuitions of the Holy Spirit’s presence, and so on. None of this might impress the committed skeptic, or seem like adequate grounds for faith, but that does not mean that faith is essentially willful and irrational."
Comment: Using metaphysical approach (i.e., logical and scientific standard), the above faith is indeed essentially willful and irrational， although it is understandable from human psychology aspect.

p11-12

"If Dennett really wishes to undertake a 「scientific」 investigation of faith, he should promptly abandon his efforts to describe religion (which, again, does not really exist), and attempt instead to enter into the actual world of belief in order to weigh its phenomena from within. As a first step, he should certainly—purely in the interest of sound scientific method and empirical rigor—begin praying, and then continue doing so with some perseverance. This is a drastic and implausible prescription, no doubt; but it is the only means by which he could possibly begin to acquire any knowledge of what belief is or of what it is not."
Comment: It looks to be not logically correct.

關於大規模殺戮

P12: "Polytheists, monotheists, and atheists kill—indeed, this last class is especially prolifically homicidal, if the evidence of the twentieth century is to be consulted."
Comment: No reference, no data. The conclusion is dubious.

• 基督教神學家大衛·本特利·哈特教授認為基督教與各種宗教及無神論者相同，都有暴力歷史，如果以20世紀為例， 但無神論者殺戮記錄更多。對其著作Atheist Delusions的評論可見於： 。
• 但是，大衛·本特利·哈特「無神論者殺戮記錄更多」的觀點是有爭議的。 歷史上許多戰爭的起源可能是由於國家和民族的利益，這可能包括歷史上的宗教戰爭(延續近200年幾十萬十字軍死亡的十字軍東征, 包括平民有約800萬人死亡的三十年戰爭, 三百萬民眾死於戰亂及引發的饑荒和瘟疫的法國宗教戰爭, 20世紀600萬猶太人被種族滅絕的納粹大屠殺)，戰爭中的士兵們中既有有神論者和也有無神論者；把有神論者和無神論者士兵們殺戮都歸於無神論者，來斷言「無神論者殺戮記錄更多」是有爭議的。