An atheist critique of the Screwtape Letters

An atheist critique of the Screwtape Letters

Posted by Victor Reppert at 12:24 PM   Friday, June 05, 2009

Labels: C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

JanusMagus said...

Before dwelving deeper, I'll address the very first critique (of Ltter 1 -- "He never, as far as I know, presents a single example of an actual atheist who actually holds such a view, and prominent atheists of Lewis' day, such as Bertrand Russell, were outspoken rationalists..."

First, where does he get the idea that Lewis means Wormwood's strategy is going to be an atheist position popular in that day--even among famous atheistic philosophers? (yeah..Lewis historically talked rationally with atheists in his day despite this secret knowledge of his).

Second, this point, "the evidence shows that, to the contrary, the majority of distinguished scientists in every "hard" field are atheists." is misleading when one looks at other findings about that as well: Sociological data reveal that academics of almost all social/scientific backgrounds come in with their unbelief and just never lose it. Those with reliigous belief beforehand generally don't lose it either.

There is also something to consider that eminent chemist Fritz Schaefer, III points out in his only book, which is that the average scientist has no more contemplated the philophical questions with more rigor than your average joe (exceptions are there among unaverage scientists like Will Provine or Michael Polayni). Plus, here in the US anyway, ~43% of the average population goes to Church once a month and the same holds for scientists.

June 05, 2009 5:52 PM

http://dangerousidea.blogspot.kr/2009/06/atheist-critique-of-screwtape-letters.html