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Originally Posted by Jetty3
That's exactly what this book will do -- and far better than I could argue it myself. Don't let the title scare you away. Read it. See if you can argue against it without cutting and pasting from talkorigins.
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Actually, nothing I posted in response to you has been from talkorigins.
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On the contrary. I am currently studying the works of Joseph Campbell. Now I know he's not a "Christian turned atheist" but he definately defends a less than Christian philosophy. It has been very educational. I'll make you a deal: You read Mere Christianity (I can send it to you on tape if that's easier) and I'll read one of your favorites.
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One of the themes of Lewis's writing, evident nowhere more so than in "Mere Christianity," is the defense of traditional wisdom against prejudice of our age that would reject it for no other reason than that it is traditional.
Which is not why I disagree with Christianity. It has nothing to do with the fact that it's an outdated dogma. It has nothing to do with how modern man is "supposed" to think (exactly who designed this outline is mysteriously absent and nameless). Neither you nor Lewis makes the case that Christianity is inherently moral, or that Christianity has a copyright on morality whereas atheism does not.
It all comes back to the exact same argument every single time: "Christianity is better because I say it is."
Which just isn't good enough.
The argument that God exists because we have an understanding of right and wrong doesn't work either; if this is the case, why are morals so different across cultures? Why do so many morals across cultures clash with those of Christianity, yet are not immoral in and of themselves?
Take one of my favorites, for example: sex before marriage. While I've made the argument that the Bible actually says nothing against this, most Christians accept it as a teaching they must follow. How is sex before marriage immoral? Outside of the atypical response "because," nobody has been able to make the case that sex before marriage is immoral, despite it being something that goes against the "teachings" of Christianity, or at least the "teachings" of most Christians. You can't tell me how it's immoral, CS Lewis can't tell me how it's immoral, Jesus can't tell me how it's immoral, God can't tell me how it's immoral. All you can say is, "because it is."
Which just isn't good enough.