Whoopin' up on Theism

In reviewing a new, popular-level book by John Allen Paulos, the reviewer gives a pithy summary of the burden of theism:

"The hypothesis that a deity created the universe and somehow still intervenes in it is, on the face of it, an extravagant, inelegant, and superfluous supposition. It lacks any support from our direct experience of the world, nor even from the subtle and indirect inferences of modern science. Therefore, in order to make it plausible, let alone convincing, requires arguments that are clear, direct, and compelling. An enormous burden of proof lies heavy on the proponents of theism."[1]

It is just these kinds of clear challenges that I wish theologians would address. Alas, they usually just degenerate into a collection of metaphors and Euro-mush, meta-narrative talk. Of course one can just still hear the 17th-19th century deists saying, "So?"


O.

REFERENCE

[image] "Make Abstract Illustrations" eyesOnTutorials (Accessed 5/21/2008)

[1] "Gimme that Old Time Religion" eSkeptic May 14, 2008 (Accessed May 21, 2008)