"Honestly, though, my chief purpose is not to advise atheists on what I think they should believe; I want merely to make sure that they have a clear concept of what it is they claim not to believe," (2). When first establishing the purpose of the book, I like how Hart does not plan to convince atheists to believe in God, but to explain why people do and let them understand who God is and the concept of him. He then goes on to say that if something is worth arguing about, then it is also worth understanding. I feel like a lot of people believe that Christians try to push their beliefs onto other people forcefully and that Christianity and God is just a group of people judging you for doing certain things. Though this is not what the religion is at all, a lot of people see it this way. People just feel like they are confined to follow a rule book and if it is not followed then they will be reprimanded, but this is not the case. This is just what people like to assume it to be and then reject it because they do not know what is really is, so I like how he starts right off saying that he is not trying to convince someone of converting to a Christian, but just have an explanation of why someone may be one or why someone believes in God. I feel like by him setting this purpose, more people will be open to learning and listening to what the concept is and having a more open mind to God rather than just shutting it out completely.
This blog is devoted to the questions and reflections of the students in PHIL/RS 335: The Philosophy of Religion.
I agree with your conclusion that Hart's explanation of his lack of desire to convert people helps him get his message across to a more open audience. His explanation of the concept of "God" is thorough and doesn't come across as a demand on how one should believe.
ReplyDeleteIf he did not include his purpose then do you think he would be trying to push Christianity on people or just make them believe in God? I do not think he is pushing Christianity, but like you said, just stating that there is a God. I do not think that an atheist would pick up this book at all anyhow, because they would think it is full of assumptions/ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hart's approach in not attempting to convert to but explain his beliefs is more inviting to an open discussion between atheists and believers. Perhaps one without hostility and anger. I agree with Hart that atheist and in my opinion believers should have a clear understanding of what they believe or don't believe in. The subject of "God" can be an emotional and serious one that needs a deeper and more critical investigation. Trying to understand faith and/or belief is something like Hart I feel is worth exploring.
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