When Did Faith Start to Fade?

8/12/2019 When Did Faith Start to Fade?

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BIGGER THAN PHIL

When did faith start to fade?

BYADAM GOPNIK

In the past twenty or so years, a tone frankly contemptuous of faith has emerged. Illustration

by John Cuneo.KEYWORDS

ATHEISM;

RELIGION;

BOOKS;

PETER WATSON;

THE AGE O ATHEISTS! HOW WE HA"E SO#GHT TO LI"E SIN$E THE %EATH O GO%& ;

MIT$HELL STEPHENS;

IMAGINE THERE'S NO HEA"EN! HOW ATHEISM HELPE% $REATE THE MO%ERN WORL%&

In To( Sto))ard's *+,- ).a/ 01()ers2& the )hi.oso)her hero 3roods 1nha))i./

on the ine4ora3.e rise of the atheist! The tide is r1nnin5 his 6a/2 and it is a tide6hi7h has t1rned on./ on7e in h1(an histor/8 8 8 8 There is )res1(a3./ a 7a.endar

date9a moment96hen the on1s of )roof )assed fro( the atheist to the 3e.ie:er2

6hen2 1ite s1dden./2 the noes had it8& We..2 6hen 6as that date96hen didthe

noes ha:e it? In *ed 6hether God 6as dead? or that (atter2 dothe
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/bios/adam_gopnik/search?contributorName=adam%20gopnikhttp://www.newyorker.com/magazine/bios/adam_gopnik/search?contributorName=adam%20gopnikhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Atheismhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Religionhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Bookshttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Peter%20Watsonhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=8220%20The%20Age%20of%20Atheists:%20How%20We%20Have%20Sought%20to%20Live%20Since%20the%20Death%20of%20God%208221http://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Mitchell%20Stephenshttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=8220%20Imagine%20There%208217%20s%20No%20Heaven:%20How%20Atheism%20Helped%20Create%20the%20Modern%20World%208221http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/bios/adam_gopnik/search?contributorName=adam%20gopnikhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Atheismhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Religionhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Bookshttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Peter%20Watsonhttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=8220%20The%20Age%20of%20Atheists:%20How%20We%20Have%20Sought%20to%20Live%20Since%20the%20Death%20of%20God%208221http://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=Mitchell%20Stephenshttp://www.newyorker.com/search/query?keyword=8220%20Imagine%20There%208217%20s%20No%20Heaven:%20How%20Atheism%20Helped%20Create%20the%20Modern%20World%208221


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7.earer si5na.s? Wh/2 if the noes indeed had it2 did the/ s1dden./ ha:e to 3e so

.o1d?

ROM THE ISS#E

B# AS A PRINT

EMAIL THIS

A histor/ of (odern atheis(96hat did "o.taire sa/ to %iderot? 6hat did $o(te

(ean to Mi..? 6ho wasMada./n M1rra/ O'Hair2 an/6a/?96o1.d 3e ni7e to

ha:e8 The British )o)1.ar historian Peter Watson's The A5e of Atheists! Ho6 We

Ha:e So15ht to Li:e Sin7e the %eath of God& CSi(on S7h1sterD 7o1.d ha:e

3een that 3oo>2 31t it isn't8 Be5innin5 6ith Niet@s7he's * of e:er/ (odern artist or

)hi.oso)her 6ho 6as 1nsett.ed or )ro:o>ed 3/ the )ossi3.e none4isten7e of God8Watson .eads 1s on a 3rea>ne7> tri) thro15h it a..9B.oo(s31r/ and Bernard

Sha62 %osto/e:s>/ and Ger(an E4)ressionis(2 Si5(1nd re1d and Pa3.o

Pi7asso8 If it's $ha)ter 2 this (1st 3e "ienna8

This (a>es sense of a >ind2 the none4isten7e of God 3ein5 an iss1e for (odern

)eo).e2 and risin5 1) e:er/6here8 B1t re)ortin5 on e:er/ ).a7e /o1 see it doesn't

he.) to see it (ore 7.ear./8 COn one )a5e2 6e hear a3o1t Anna $.ar>2 Tennessee

Wi..ia(s2 Stefan Geor5e2 0a(es 0o/7e2 Phi.i) Roth2 Henr/ 0a(es2 Wi.he.( Rei7h2

"a.entine de SaintPoint2 L5er2 Mi.an K1ndera2 Mi7he. o17a1.t2 0a71es La7an2

0eanranois L/otard2 H8 G8 We..s2 Gerhart Ha1)t(ann2 A.do1s H14.e/2 0ohn

Gra/2 E15ene Goodheart2 0onathan Lear2 and2 of 7o1rse2 Niet@s7he8D Ar5os2 the

h1ndrede/ed 6at7h(an2 (i5ht ha:e had moresi5ht than other 5iants2 31t he

didn't ha:e shar)er si5ht8 Wo1.d Matisse rea../ ne:er ha:e )ainted The Red

St1dio&96hi7h Watson ta>es as a )aradi5( of )ostre.i5io1s art2 6ith the artist's
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se.f(ade s)a7e re).a7in5 di:ine nat1re9if Niet@s7he hadn't (ade that

(e(ora3.e P8R8 state(ent a3o1t the %eit/'s de(ise?

The )ro3.e( is that 5od.essness as a fe.t 7ondition is :er/ different fro( atheis(

as an arti71.ate (o:e(ent8 Watson doesn't distin51ish 7.ear./2 or at a..2 3et6eenthe t6o2 and so his 3oo> (ana5es to fee. at on7e 3reath.ess and .on56inded9

(17h too r1shed in its )arts and too diff1se as a 6ho.e8 E:en his 7hrono.o5/ of

e:er5ro6in5 dis3e.ief see(s off8 Modern art is a 7e.e3ration of the se71.ar2& he

states 7onfident./2 (eanin5 Pi7asso and his .i>e2 and a.tho15h he 3a7>tra7>s

1i7>./2 he 7an't 3a7>tra7> far eno15h2 sin7e so (17h of (odern art9Kandins>/2

Mondrian2 Roth>o9has 3een re.i5io1s or (/sti7a. in nat1re8

On./ in the .ast h1ndred or so )a5es does the rea. 7ontention of the 3oo> a))ear8

or Watson2 6e are di:ided not so (17h 3et6een 3e.ie:ers and non as 3et6een

6hat (i5ht 3e 7a..ed S1)erNat1ra.ists2 6ho 3e.ie:e that a (ateria. a77o1nt of

e4isten7e is inade1ate to o1r n1(ino1ssee(in5 e4)erien7e2 and Se.fMa>ers2

6ho are )re)ared to .et the h1(an (ind ta>e 7redit e:en for the (ost shi((erin5

3its of .ife8 His end1rin5 s/()athies .ie 6ith the 1nd1./ for5otten historian and

no:e.ist Theodore Ros@a> and 6ith the )hi.oso)her Ri7hard Rort/8 Both are

7on7i.iator/ Se.fMa>ers2 6ho so15ht to e.e:ate e4)erien7e o:er ar51(ents and2

dissatisfied 6ith s7ien7e2 (ade of re.i5io1s fee.in5 its o6n re.i5ion8 Watson

re5ards )heno(eno.o5/ as the (ost 1nderrated (o:e(ent of the t6entieth

7ent1r/2& and finds in its e()hasis on ha))/ sensations2 on the thisness of .ife2 the

ha))iest a.ternati:e to o.dti(e re.i5ion8 Atheis( san7tifies .ess of the 6or.d 31t

na(es (ore of it2 he see(s to sa/2 and this is in itse.f eno15h8 This see(s to .ea:e

the door o)en for 3e.ie:ers to en5a5e in e4)anded na(in5& of their o6n2 6hi7h

6o1.d t1rn (i5ht/ 0eho:ah into .itt.e Tin>er Be..9if /o1 sa/ his na(e eno15h2 he

.i:es8 Sti..2 for Watson this is the ri5ht2 )ositi:e2 (/ster/affir(in52 .ife

enhan7in52 and )ra5(ati7(inded faith to end 1) 6ithin8

That rea../ 1sef1. histor/ of atheis( 6o1.d2 )res1(a3./2 tr/ to distin51ish

3et6een Watson's s13e7t2 the .atearri:in5 ro(anti7 a5on/ of Niet@s7he and his

dis7i).es96hi7h res)onds to God's a3sen7e the 6a/ fifth 5raders res)ond to the

a3sen7e of the tea7her! /o1 (ean no6 6e 7an do anything?9and the o.der

tradition of En.i5hten(ent rationa.is(! the tradition that 5a:e God a 5o.d 6at7h


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and to.d hi( the offi7e 6as no6 so 6e.. ordered he 6o1.dn't 3e needed an/

.on5er8 This (ore )o.ite 31t2 fina../2 (ore )otent for( of nonfaith has ).a/ed a

.ar5er ro.e in )o.iti7s than the no(oretea7her >ind2 if a .esser ro.e in the arts8 It's

the s13e7t of I(a5ine There's No Hea:en! Ho6 Atheis( He.)ed $reate the

Modern Wor.d& CPa.5ra:eD2 3/ the N88#8 o1rna.is( )rofessor Mit7he.. Ste)hens8

Ste)hens's 3oo> is entirelya stor/ of atheis( as an arti71.ate (o:e(ent9one that

he is rootin5 for2 a .itt.e too hard at ti(es8 We .earn an enor(o1s a(o1nt a3o1t

fi51res 7ensored o1t of histor/2 and a3o1t the )erse71tion that freethin>ers

s1ffered 1nti. sho7>in5./ re7ent./8 His (art/rs fi.. o1r hearts; his heroes ins)ire8

He )refers %enis %iderot2 the ren7h en7/7.o)edist2 to "o.taire2 for2 6here

"o.taire (ere./ (o7>ed at a safe distan7e2 %iderot 6as a rea. (ora.ist2 6ho

7han5ed Parisian (inds8 And he de:otes (an/ (o:in5 )a5es to the1ndera))re7iated .ife of $har.es Brad.a15h2 the defiant "i7torian atheist9he

a..e5ed./ 7a..ed $hristianit/ a 71rsed2 inh1(an re.i5ion&96ho nonethe.ess 5ot

hi(se.f e.e7ted to Par.ia(ent (an/ ti(es o:er2 and 6as fina../ a..o6ed to ta>e his

seat there2 a5ainst the J1een's 6ishes8 CHe 6as 7e.e3rated after his death 6ith a

se:enfoot stat1e in his 7onstit1en7/8D Ste)hens does re(ind the reader at

(o(ents of the (other in Phi.i) Roth 6ho2 readin5 a3o1t a ).ane 7rash2 a.6a/s

7o1nts the 0e6ish na(es first8 Ste)hens 7o1nts the atheists first2 e()hasi@in5 their

ro.e in the antis.a:er/ (o:e(ent2 e:en tho15h2 as he >no6s2 the $hristian

7h1r7hes ).a/ed a far .ar5er one8

In Ste)hens's te..in52 a ne6 h1(an e)o7h of fee.in5 is >i7>ed off 3/ ea7h 3i5

na(e8 So 6ith 5od.essness! %iderot 6rote this2 Niet@s7he said this2 %ar6in sa6

this2 Brad.a15h stood his 5ro1nd2 and no6 the .i1or stores are o)en a.. da/

S1nda/8 The diffi71.t/2 as a.6a/s 6ith )o)1.ar 7hroni7.es of ideas2 is not that ideas

don't (atter; it's that 6e too readi./ s>i) o:er the 1estion of ho6 the/ 7o(e to

(atter8 Who seeded the 5ro1nd is the historian's eas/ 1estion; 6hat (ade the

5ro1nd re7ei:e the seed is the hard one8

Indeed2 (17h of the ar51(ent a5ainst God 6or>s .ess 6e.. as ar51(ent and thesis

than as at(os)here and tone8 The sa))ers 6ho si.ent./ 1nder(ined the

fo1ndations of the $h1r7h did (ore da(a5e than the so.diers 6ho stor(ed the

6a..s8 T6o .1(inaries of the En5.ish and ren7h En.i5hten(ent2 Ed6ard Gi33on


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and A151st $o(te2 entire./ e.1de Ste)hens's stor/8 Neither 6as a non3e.ie:er 3/

ar51(ent or 3/ a:o6a.2 /et 3oth he.)ed >i.. God 3/ i().i7ation and 3/

insin1ation8 The (ost effe7ti:e and farrea7hin5 7ase a5ainst $hristianit/ in

ei5hteenth7ent1r/ En5.and is $ha)ter * of Gi33on's %e7.ine and a.. of the

Ro(an E()ire8& Gi33on 7on7edes9that is2 7on7edes&9the o3:io1s tr1th of the

$hristian re.i5ion2 and then as>s2 dead)an2 6hat 6or.d./ (e7hanis( 6o1.d

nonethe.ess ha:e 3een ne7essar/ for its tri1()h? In a (anner sti.. not i()ro:ed

1)on for 7on7ise ).a1si3i.it/2 he en1(erates the rea.6or.d (inorit/ )o.iti7s that

(ade it ha))en8 The $hristians had the ad:anta5e of 7ohesion and inner dis7i).ine

that the dissi)ated (aorit/2 )a5ans and E)i71reans a.i>e2 did not8 Re.i5io1s

histor/ 3e7o(es a 1estion of h1(an 7a1ses and e:ents8 %i:init/ is di(inished

6itho1t e:er 3ein5 offi7ia../ do13ted8

$o(te2 in his 6a/2 did (ore da(a5e to or5ani@ed re.i5ion than %iderot2 not 3/

1arre..in5 6ith it 31t si()./ 3/ i(itatin5 it8 He 3ro15ht an a55ressi:e for( of

h1(anis(& to nineteenth7ent1r/ ran7e2 in7.inin5 to6ard a for( of 6orshi) that

re).a7ed the God a3o:e 6ith Good Men 3e.o68 His >ind of h1(anis( 7reated

7ha)e.s Cone sti.. e4ists in ParisD fi..ed 6ith i7ons of the ad(ira3.e! H.ose2

A3.ard2 Ga.i.eo8 It's sti.. a 7o@/ s)a7e8 Instead of (a>in5 1s Godsi@e2 he (ade

faith 1ssi@e8 01st as re.i5io1s to.eran7e 6as esta3.ished .ess 3/ ar51(ent than 3/

e4ha1stion2 infide.it/ 6as (ade a))ea.in5 3/ at(os)here8 Ar51(ent (attered

7hief./ thro15h the (oods it (ade8

There do see( to 3e three distin7t )ea>s of (odern dis3e.ief2 (o(ents 6hen2

ho6e:er hard it is to 7o1nt )re7ise n1(3ers2 6e 7an sense that it 6as 7oo. to 3e a

s7offer2 trend/ to :ote No& One is in the .ate ei5hteenth 7ent1r/2 3efore the

ren7h Re:o.1tion2 another in the .ate nineteenth 7ent1r/2 1st 3efore the R1ssian

Re:o.1tion2 and no6 there's o1r o6n8 A rea7tionar/ 6o1.d )oint o1t2 6ith 1sti7e2

that ea7h hi5h )oint )re7eded a re:o.1tion that t1rned 15./ eno15h to (a>e

non3e.ief .oo> 3ad8 "er/ (17h .i>e the $hristians in the Ro(an E()ire2 the noes

ha:e had it (ost often .ess thro15h n1(3ers than thro15h dis7i).ine and se.f

7onfiden7e and an a(3ition for )o6er2 e:en 7.ai(in52 .i>e $hristians2 the assent of

a state! first Re)13.i7an ran7e2 then the So:iet #nion8


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et the need for God ne:er :anishes8 Me. Broo>s's F--- ear O.d Man2 as>ed to

e4).ain the ori5in of God2 ad(its that ear./ h1(ans first adored a 51/ in o1r

:i..a5e na(ed Phi.2 and for a ti(e 6e 6orshi))ed hi(8& Phi. 6as 3i52 and (ean2

and he 7o1.d 3rea> /o1 in t6o 6ith his 3are hands& One da/2 a th1nderstor(

7a(e 1)2 and a .i5htnin5 3o.t hit Phi.8 We 5athered aro1nd and sa6 that he 6as

dead8 Then 6e said to one another2 There's so(ethin5 3i55er than Phi.' & The

3asi7 1r5e to re7o5ni@e so(ethin5 3i55er than Phi. sti.. 5i:es theisti7 theories an

a1dien7e2 e:en as their e4).anations of the .i5htnin5(a>er t1rn e:er 5a))ier and

5assier8 E4)ert defenders are (ore and (ore in7.ined to sei@e on the tiniest of

s7ientifi7 5a)s or to (o:e e:er 1)6ard to ideas of God so re(ote fro( e4isten7e

as to 3e7o(e )1re hot air8 Ste)hen $8 Me/er's 3estse..in5 %ar6in's %o13t&

CHar)erOneD rein:ents the God of the Ga)s9a God 6hose )ro:in7e is 6hate:er

s7ien7e 7an't /et e4).ain96ith a s)e7ia. fo71s on the #nso.:ed M/steries of the

$a(3rian e4).osion8 E4)erien7e sho6s that those 6ho ado)t this strate5/ end 1)

defendin5 a s(a..er and s(a..er )ie7e of 5ro1nd8 The/ 1sed to find God's hand in

(an's :er/ e4isten7e2 then in the desi5n of his e/es2 then2 after the e(er5en7e of

the e/e 6as f1../ e4).ained2 the/ 6ere do6n to the 3ird's 6in52 then the/ tried the

3a7teria. f.a5e..1(2 and no62 .i>e Me/er2 the/'re do6n to )ointin5 to the 7i.ia in

the 51t of 6or(s and the e(er5en7e of a fe6 >inds of (1.ti7e..1.ar or5anis(s in

the $a(3rian as thin5s 3e/ond a.. rationa. e4).anation8 Retreat a.6a/s t1rns to

ro1t in these (atters8

As the e4).anations 5et (ore des)erate./ (in1te2 the a)o.o5ies 5et e:er :aster8

%a:id Bent.e/ Hart's re7ent The E4)erien7e of God! Bein52 $ons7io1sness2

B.iss& Ca.eD doesn't e:en atte()t to (a>e God the 1n(o:ed (o:er2 the Bi5

Ban5er 6ho 5ot the )art/ started; instead2 it roots the )roof of his e4isten7e in the

e4isten7e of the 1ni:erse itse.f8 Sin7e /o1 7an e4).ain the 1ni:erse on./ 3/ (eans

of so(e other 3it of the 1ni:erse2 6h/ is there a 1ni:erse Cor (an/ of the(D? The

ans6er to this 1nans6era3.e 1estion is God8 He stands o1tside e:er/thin52 the

infinite to 6hi7h nothin5 7an add and fro( 6hi7h nothin5 7an s13tra7t2& the

1.ti(ate 5ro1nd of 3ein58 This notion2 (a4i(a.ist in 7on7e)tion2 is (ini(a.ist in

effe7t8 So(ethin5 that(17h 3i55er than Phi. is so re(ote fro( Phi.'s )ro3.e(s

that he (i5ht as 6e.. not 3e there for Phi. at a..8 This God is o3:io1s./ not the God

6ho (a>es r1.es a3o1t fr/in5 3a7on or )1ts har)s in the hands of an5e.s8 A God


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6ho 7o((1ni7ates 6ith no one and 7a1ses nothin5 see(s a s1r)risin5./ tri:ia.

a71isition for 7os(o.o5/9the dinner 51est .e5endar/ for his 6it 6ho s)ends the

(ea. (1(3.in5 6ith his (o1th f1..8

What's easi./ (issed in a.. this is so(ethin5 (ore i()ortant! the 7.andestine7on:er5en7e 3et6een S1)erNat1ra.ists and Se.fMa>ers8 S1r)risin5./ fe6 )eo).e

6ho ha:e 7onsidered the a.ternati:es9fe6 a(on5 the 7a171s 6ho 7ons7io1s./

stand 1)2 :otin5 a/e or na/93e.ie:e an/ .on5er in God8 Be.ie:e2 that is2 in an

o(ni)otent (an in the s>/ (a>in5 (ora. r1.es and 6at7hin5 h1(an a7tions 6ith

)aranoia7 intensit/8 The a/es do 3e.ie:e in so(eone9a )rin7i).e of 7reation2 a

hi5her entit/2& that 5ro1nd of 3ein52& an idea of order2& an a7tor 3e/ond eas/ or

instant 7o()rehension2 so(ethin5 (ore than (atter and 3i55er than Phi.8 And

the/ 7ertain./ 3e.ie:e in so(e thin59a 7h1r7h2 a set of rit1a.s2 a histori7a.s7he(e2 and an antirationa. tradition8 B1t the >e/note of their se.fdes7ri)tion

t/)i7a../ in:o.:es a 7e.e3ration of (/ster/ and 7o().e4it/2 too refined for the

(ateria.ist (ind to a77e)t8 Se.fMa>ers often do an in1sti7e to the 1n7ertaint/ of

S1)erNat1ra.ists2 6ho2 if an/thin52 tend to fetishi@e the (/ster/ of faith as a

s)e7ia. s)irit1a. )ro:in7e that non3e.ie:ers are too fat1o1s to 5ras)2 and ad:ertise

their do13t and their need for faith 1ite as (17h as their do5(a8 $an't He.)

Lo:in' %at Man2& not On6ard2 $hristian So.diers2& is the S1)erNat1ra.ists'

anthe( these da/s8

B1t2 1st as s1re./2 (ost noes 3e.ie:e in so(ethin5 .i>e 6hat the S1)erNat1ra.ists

6o1.d 7a.. faith9the/ sear7h for trans7enden7e and e)i)han/2 )ra7ti7e so(e

rit1a.2 .i:e so(e rite8 Tr1e rationa.ists are as rare in .ife as a7t1a. de7onstr17tionists

are in 1ni:ersit/ En5.ish de)art(ents2 or tr1e 3ise41a.s in 5a/ 3ars8 In a .ifeti(e

s)ent in hot3eds of se71.aris(2 I ha:e >no6n )erha)s t6o thoro15h5oin5

rationa.ists9)eo).e 6ho a7t1a../ tried to e.i(inate int1ition and na:i5ate .ife 3/

reasonin5 a3o1t it9and 7o1nt.ess h1(anists2 in $o(te's sense2 )eo).e 6ho don't

5o in for God 31t are enth1siasts for trans7endent (eanin52 for sa7red )antheons

and )ri:ate 7ha)e.s8 The/ ha:e so(e s/n7reti7 (i4t1re of rit1a.s! the/ )o.ish

(enorahs or de7orate $hrist(as trees2 (editate 1)on the 5reat 3e/ond2 sa/ a si.ent

)ra/er2 .i5ht 7and.es to the dar>ness8 The/ ta.> 6itho1t diffi71.t/ of so1.s and

6ea)ons of the s)irit2 and 5o to (idni5ht Mass on $hrist(as E:e to hear the


9/13

G.oria2 and tho15h the/ .ea:e ear./2 the/ .ea:e f1.fi..ed8 o1 6i.. >no6 the( 3/

their fa7es; the/ are the 6ee)/ ones in the rear8

If atheists 1nderesti(ate the f1d5iness in faith2 3e.ie:ers 1nderesti(ate the

so1)iness of do13t8 M/ o6n fa:orite atheist 3.o55er2 0err/ $o/ne2 the #ni:ersit/of $hi7a5o e:o.1tionar/ 3io.o5ist2 re51.ar./ offers 1nans6era3.e )hi.i))i7s a5ainst

the idio7ies of inte..i5ent desi5n8 B1t a historian .oo>in5 at his 3.o5 /ears fro(

no6 6o1.d note that he :aries the )hi.i))i7s 6ith a tender strea( of i(a5es of 7ats

9into 6hose .i(ited 7o5nition2 this do5.o:er notes2 he )roe7ts inte..i5en7e and

)ersona.it/ 1ite as 3.ithe./ as his ene(ies )roe7t desi5n into seashe..s9and

sa().es of o.d Moto6n son5s8 The arti71.ation of h1(anis( de(ands so(ethin5

h1(ane2 and its si5na. is dis)ro)ortionate ).eas1re ).a7ed in so(e fran>./

irrationa. .o:e8 Ste)hens2 for that (atter2 ta>es his tit.e fro( the see(in5./forthri5ht 0ohn Lennon son5 I(a5ine8& Lennon2 ha:in5 f.irted 6ith atheis( for

a3o1t nine (onths2 fro( $hrist(as of *+,- to the fa.. of *+,*2 fe.. 3a7> into a

s1)ernat1ra.ist 6e3 of s/n7retis( of his o6n2 f./in5 the 6ron52& or 6ester./2 6a/

aro1nd the 6or.d and )ra7ti7in5 astro.o5/8 Ste)hens sa/s di).o(ati7a../ that

Lennon re(ained inter(ittent./ s1s7e)ti3.e to 3e.ief&931t in tr1th Lennon 6as

entire./ 7a)ti:e to 6hate:er s1)erstition had (ost re7ent./ ti7>.ed his fan7/2 or his

6ife's8 I(a5ine there's no Hea:en931t )a/ attention to the stars and thro6 the I

$hin5 as ne7essar/8 The (a>er of the 5reat atheist anthe( 6as an/thin5 31t an

atheist8

%o7trinaire re.i5ionists and antire.i5ionists a.i>e reser:e s)e7ia. derision for s17h

hand(ade s/n7retis(2 )erha)s 3e7a1se the/ see it as the rea. threat to their

a1thorit/8 C$hristian rites 6ere (o7>ed a(on5 the Ro(ans for their :1.5arit/ .on5

3efore the/ 6ere deno1n7ed for their a3s1rdit/8D Bein5 0e6ish is in7redi3./

i()ortant to (e2 31t I'( not o3ser:ant2& one s17h s/n7retist2 a no:e.ist2 sa/s in an

inter:ie6!

At the sa(e ti(e2 I 7ared dee)./ that (/ son >no6 hi(se.f as 0e6ish9not 1st

71.t1ra../2 31t 3e stee)ed in the traditions and rit1a.s8 His Bar Mit@:ah .ast /ear9

6hi7h 6as 7o().ete./ ho(e5ro6n2 e7.e7ti72 he.d in a 7h1r7h2 .ed 3/ a fe(a.e

Ra33i 6ith 6ho( 6e':e 3e7o(e 7.ose2 6ith readin5s fro( $o.erid5e and Hannah

S@enes2 as 6e.. as the 6ho.e 7on5re5ation sin5in5 Leonard $ohen's Bro>en


10/13

Ha..e.1ah& 6ith (/ son ).a/in5 his 1>1.e.e and (e on the )iano96as one of the

hi5h.i5hts of (/ .ife8

One is s1))osed to disdain s17h festi:a.s as s.a7> and se.f).easin59that do13.e

3.as)he(ed 7h1r7h that .ad/ ra33i that 1>1.e.e B1t in tr1th the/ are no (ore or.ess (ade 1)& than the o.der re.i5ions2 6hi7h 6ere a.so for5ed fro( dis)arate

)arts2 and .oo>ed 1st as ridi71.o1s to o1tsiders at the ti(e8 This is not a

3astardi@ed or .esser for( of faith8 It is faith as it has a.6a/s e4isted8

Good ne6s2 ri5ht? %oesn't this (ean that 6e are2 to 7ite a 7hastened o)ti(ist2 .ess

di:ided than o1r theo.o5i7a. )o.iti7s s155est? Pro3a3./ it (eans that 6e are e:en

(ore di:ided than o1r re.i5io1s )o.iti7s s155est2 3e7a1se it is the )oint of )o.iti7s

to di:ide8 It is not an a77ident that the 7r17ia. (o(ent of :otin5 in the British

Par.ia(ent is 7a..ed a di:ision8& O1r )o.iti7s are a (irror not of o1r si(i.arities

31t of o1r differen7es8 That's 6h/ the/'re )o.iti7s8 We 6ere .ess di:ided than o1r

)o.iti7s (ade 1s see( ri5ht on the 3rin> of the $i:i. War2 too8 We 6ere 1st

di:ided on one 3i5 )oint8 And the 3i5 )oint that di:ides 1s no6 is that the S1)er

Nat1ra.ists don't 6ant on./ to 3e reass1red that the/ 7an sa/ their )ra/ers as (17h

as the/ .i>e to 6ho(e:er the/ .i>e8 The/ a.so 6ant re7o5nition fro( the )eo).e

the/ fee. 7ontro. the 71.t1re that theirs is an honored )ath to tr1th9the/ 6ant

S1)erNat1ra.is( to 3e res)e7ted not 1st as a 6a/ of .i:in5 31t as a 6a/ of

>no6in58

And here 6e arri:e at 6hat the noes2 6hate:er their n1(3ers2 rea../ ha:e no62 and

that is a (ono)o./ on .e5iti(ate for(s of >no6.ed5e a3o1t the nat1ra. 6or.d8

The/ ha:e this (ono)o./ for the sa(e reason that 7o()1ter (an1fa7t1rers ha:e

an ed5e o:er 7r/sta.3a.. (a>ers! the ad:anta5es of ha:in5 an a7t1a. e4).anation

of thin5s and )ro7esses are se.fe:ident8 What 6or>s 6ins8 We >no6 that (en

6ere not in:ented 31t s.o6./ e:o.:ed fro( s(a..er ani(a.s; that the earth is not

the 7enter of the 1ni:erse 31t one a(on5 a 3i..ion ).anets in a distant 7orner; and

that2 in the 3i..ions of /ears of the 1ni:erse's e4isten7e2 there is no e:iden7e of a

sin5.e (ira71.o1s inter7ession 6ith the .a6s of nat1re8 We need not i(a5ine that

there's no Hea:en; 6e >no6 that there is none2 and 6e 6i.. sear7h for an5e.s

fore:er in :ain8 A God 7an sti.. 3e (ade in the fa7e of a.. that a3sen7e2 31t he 6i..

a.6a/s 3e 7hair(an of the 3oard2 ho.din5 an offi7e of fine tit.e and .i(ited )o6ers8


11/13

Gi:en the di(inish(ent in di:ine )1r:ie62 fro( Ga.i.eo's ti(e on2 the S1)er

Nat1ra.ists 1st 6ant the .an51a5e of s7ien7e not to 3e a7ti:e./ ins1.tin5 to the(8

And here 6e (a/ 7o(e at .ast to the seed3ed of the Ne6 Atheis(2 the thin5 that

(ade the noes so .o1d! the 3road )resti5e2 in the )ast t6ent/ /ears2 of e:o.1tionar/

3io.o5/8 Sin7e the En.i5hten(ent2 one (ode of s7ien7e has a.6a/s 3een do(inant2

the to) (eta)hor that ed17ated )eo).e 1se to ta.> a3o1t e4)erien7e8 In (ost of the

t6entieth 7ent1r/2 )h/si7s ).a/ed the ro.e of s1)ers7ien7e2 and )h/si7s is2 3/ its

nat1re2 a77o((odatin5 of God! the theories of )h/si7s are so 7os(i7 that the

.an51a5e of )h/si7s 7an )ersist 6itho1t a7ti:e./ ins1.tin5 the .an51a5e of faith8

It's a.. 3i5 st1ff2 6a/ o1t there2 or 1n3e.ie:a3./ tin/ st1ff2 do6n here2 and2 either

6a/2 it's stran5e and s)oo>/8 Einstein's God2& 6ho does not ).a/ di7e 6ith the

1ni:erse2 is not rea../ the theo.o5ian's God2 31t he is 7.ose eno15h to 3e to.erated8

With the 5reat 3rea>thro15hs in 1nderstandin5 that fo..o6ed the 5eno(i7

re:o.1tion2 e:o3io has 3e7o(e2 insensi3./2 the (ode. s7ien7e2 the one that so

(an/ of the )o) 3oo>s are a3o1t9and 3io.o5/ (a>es s)e7ifi7 7.ai(s a3o1t

)eo).e2 and en7o1nters (17h 7oarser re.i5io1s o3e7tions8 It's si5nifi7ant that the

Ne6 Atheis( 5athered aro1nd Ri7hard %a6>ins8 The detai.s of the ne6

e:o.1tionar/ theor/ are fair./ irre.e:ant to the Ne6 Atheis( CLa(ar7>ian ideas of

e:o.1tion 7o1.d 3e a77e)ted to(orro62 and not 3rin5 God 3a7> 6ith the(D2 31t the

t6o ha:e 3e7o(e t6inned in the Se.fMa>in5 (ind8 Their )er)et1a. in:o7ation is

a )er)et1a. ins1.t to S1)erNat1ra.is(2 and to the ri5ht of faith to 7.ai( its tr1ths8

$os(i7a../2 I see( to 3e of t6o (inds2& 0ohn #)di>e 6rote2 a de7ade a5o8 The

)o6er of (ateria.ist s7ien7e to e4).ain e:er/thin59fro( the 3eha:ior of the

5a.a4ies to that of (o.e71.es2 ato(s2 and their s13(i7ros7o)i7 7o()onents9

see(s to 3e inar51a3.e and the )rin7i)a. 5.or/ of the (odern (ind8 On the other

hand2 the rea.it/ of s13e7ti:e sensations2 desires2 and9(a/ 6e e:en sa/9

i..1sions 7o()oses the 3asi7 s13stan7e of o1r e4isten7e2 and re.i5ion a.one2 in its

(an/ for(s2 atte()ts to address2 or5ani@e2 and ).a7ate these8 I 3e.ie:e2 then2 that

re.i5io1s faith 6i.. 7ontin1e to 3e an essentia. )art of 3ein5 h1(an2 as it has 3een

for (e8& %oes re.i5ion a.one address the rea.it/ of o1r s13e7ti:e sensations? It's

)erfe7t./ )ossi3.e to 3e.ie:e that there are (an/ thin5s that 6i.. ne:er 3e s13e7ts

of s7ien7e 6itho1t thin>in5 that the/ are therefore o3e7ts of faith8 H1(an 3ein5s

are 1n)redi7ta3.e8 We 7an't >no6 6hat son5s the/ 6i.. sin52 6hat ne6 ideas the/


12/13

6i.. 7o(e 1) 6ith2 ho6 3ea1tif1../ the/ 6i.. a7t or ho6 3ad./8 B1t their s13e7ti:e

sensations do not s1))./ the( 6ith so1.s8 The/ 1st (a>e the( )eo).e8 Sin7e

%ar6in's startin5 )re(ise is that indi:id1a. :ariation is the r1.e of nat1re2 it isn't

s1r)risin5 that the .i:in5 thin5s that are a3.e to ha:e e4)erien7es ha:e the( in

:aried and indi:id1a. 6a/s8 The ).a1si3.e o))osite of )er(anent s7ientifi7

e4).anation& is sin51.ar )oeti7 des7ri)tion2& not (ira71.o1s (a5i7a.

inter7ession8&

In the end2 these see( 1estions (ore of te()era(ent than of ar51(ent8 Mit7he..

Ste)hens s)ea>s of the a5oni@ed str155.e 6ithin the so1. and the (ind 3et6een

3e.ief and non3e.ief8 This str155.e is a (odern )iet/2 31t I 6onder ho6 (an/

)eo).e a7t1a../ e4)erien7e it8 The si5ht of an o)en sea stri>es so(e as 3ea1tif1.

and others as s7ar/2 and the .ine 3et6een the( see(s no (ore a (atter of )rin7i).ethan that 3et6een )eo).e 6ho .i>e o7eans in the s1((er and those 6ho )refer

)onds8 So(e )eo).e of 5reat sensi3i.it/ and inte..i5en7e9Lar>in2 A1den2 and

E(i./ %i7>inson2 to na(e three9find into.era3.e the idea of o)en seas2 of hi5h

6indo6s .ettin5 in the .i5ht2 and nothin5 3e/ond8 If the .ea) to God is on./ a .ea)

of the i(a5ination2 the/ sti.. )refer the )re7ario1s footin58 Others9E.i@a3eth

Bisho)2 Wi..ia( E()son2 and Wa..a7e Ste:ens9find the s7enario 1nthreatenin52

and re7oi. at the idea of a 1ni:erse set 1) as a 5a(e of 3.ood sa7rifi7e and eterna.

tort1re2 or e:en 6ith the )ro(ise of eterna. 3.iss not easi./ distin51isha3.e fro(

eterna. 3oredo(8 The/ find a 1ni:erse of (atter2 ).eas1re2 and 7o((1nit/(ade

(ora.it/ the on./ >ind of .ife )ossi3.e2 and the on./ >ind 6orth .i:in58 The

differen7es2 first te()era(enta.2 then 3e7o(e theo.o5i7a.8

What if2 tho15h2 the 6ho.e 3att.e of a/es and na/s had ne:er 3een s13e7t to

an/thin52 rea../2 e47e)t a si().e r1.e of e7ono(i7 de:e.o)(ent? Perha)s the s(a..

6a:es of ideas and e:en (oods are 1st 3133.es on the one 5reat 3i5 6a:e of

in7reasin5 )ros)erit/8 It (a/ 3e that the (ateria.ist e4).anation of the tri1()h of

(ateria.is( is the one that 7o1nts8 01st .ast /ear2 the Prin7eton e7ono(ist An51s

%eaton2 in his 3oo> The Great Es7a)e2& de(onstrated that the en.ar5e(ent of

6e..3ein5 in at .east the northern ha.f of the ).anet d1rin5 the )ast 7o1).e of

7ent1ries is dis7ontin1o1s 6ith a.. )re:io1s ti(es8 The dai./ (iseries of the A5e of

aith s7ar7e./ e4ist in o1r Western A5e of at1it/8 The horrors of nor(a. .ife in

ti(es )ast2 en1(erated2 are no6 a.(ost in7on7ei:a3.e! 6o(en died in a5on/ in


13/13

7hi.d3irth2 and their 3a3ies died2 too; o)erations 6ere )erfor(ed 6itho1t

anesthesia8 CThe no:e.ist ann/ B1rne/2 re7o1ntin5 her s1r5er/ for a 3reast t1(or!

I 3e5an a s7rea( that .asted 1nre(ittin5./ d1rin5 the 6ho.e ti(e of the

in7ision8 8 8 8 I fe.t the >nife ra7>.in5 a5ainst the 3reast 3one2 s7ra)in5 it 6hi.e I

re(ained in tort1re8&D If God 3e7a(e the o)iate of the (an/2 it 6as 3e7a1se so

(an/ 6ere in need of a dr158

As in7o(es 5o 1)2 stee).es 7o(e do6n8 Matisse's Red St1dio& (a/ re)resent the

roo( the artist retreats to after the 7h1r7hes 7.ose931t it is a.so a ).easant ).a7e to

)ass the ti(e2 6ith an Orienta. 7ar)et and 7entra. heatin5 and s)a7e to 6or>8

Ha))iness arri:es and God 5ets 5one8 Ha))iness& the S1)erNat1ra.ist 7ries8

S1re./ not 1st the ani(a. ha))iness of (orestuff!& B1t 3/ ha))iness 6e need

(ean on./ .ess of )ain8 o1 don't rea../ ha:e to )1rs1e ha))iness; it is as13tra7ti:e 1a.it/8 An/one 6ho has had a 3ad heada7he or a >idne/ stone or a

tootha7he2 and then hasn't had it2 >no6s 6hat ha))iness is8 The 6or.d had a

tootha7he and a heada7he and a >idne/ stone for (i..ennia8 Not ha:in5 the( an/

.on5er is a :er/ ni7e fee.in58 On (17h of the ).anet2 6e need no .on5er ho.d an

in:isi3.e hand or 3ite an in:isi3.e 31..et to 5et 3/8

et the 6onderin5 ne:er 1ite 7o(es to an end8 Re.ati:e./ )ea7ef1. and

)ros)ero1s so7ieties2 6e 7an esta3.ish2 tend to ha:e a de7.inin5 3e.ief in a deit/8

B1t did 6e first 5i:e 1) on God and so 3e7o(e 7a.( and ri7h? Or did 6e 3e7o(e

7a.( and ri7h2 and so 5i:e 1) on God? Of s17h 1estions2 s17h 7a1ses2 no one 7an

3e 7ertain8 It 6o1.d ta>e an a..seein5 e/e in the s>/ to 3e s1re8

Documents

When Did Faith Start to Fade?