Further on the Atheism Business

Maki Hoashi's comment to my last post made me guilty that I had commented on books that I hadn't read. Though I have read a number of Richard Dawkins' previous books and articles, I had not read Christopher Hitchens' book on religion. I will order the latter to atone for my hubris.

In the meantime, I still wonder how much difference it makes that famous thinker X or Y believes or doesn't believe Christianity is true. My faith is strengthened by knowing a number of bright people who are believers; my faith isn't weakened by knowing a number of bright people who are atheists. This isn't logical, yet we all have to accept some things on authority; we can't weigh every argument and every bit of evidence. Perhaps here we come to the life beyond the thought; or in the biblical phrase, "By their fruits shall ye know them." How beliefs are lived can suggest whether they are true or false. --J. Douglas Ousley