Rupert’s Blog

At 8.35pm tonight I suddenly realised that I had forgotten to record the program on Ch 4, The Trouble with Atheism. Fortunately, it is on Telewest Teleport for the next 7 days … the wonders of modern technology! It is repeated at 2.30am on Friday morning (22nd) if you missed it.

In the program, Rod Little looks at the growing rise of Atheism, some of whom are “terribly dogmatic … and are becoming as intransigent as the people [religious] they despise.” Liddle constantly draws comparisons between atheism and religion, seeing that Atheism has its own sacred texts and temples, and its adherents also have faith.

Liddle interviewed a number of atheists, Richard Dawkins, author of the “The God Delusion“, the most prominent of them. As a renown scientist, he sees Science as the answer to all questions - its all we need to make sense of the world. Liddle also examines “proof” of the existence of God, science and faith, and origins of the world we live in.

Atheism is not the answer, says Liddle. Take God out of the equation, and you still have the problem of human nature … the capacity for great good, and incredible evil. How can you have morality without some reference to God & the sacred texts?

There is much that I think the atheists don’t understand about “believers” or perhaps they tar us all with the same brush: weird, unthinking, uncaring etc. Perhaps this could be the subject of some future posts: I really don’t see a conflict between faith and science. However, the thing that struck me the most from the program was the certainty with which the atheists spoke: they ARE right! Believers are either a bit simple and conform in some way. The fervour and passion with which they speak sounds like the religious people they criticise! Another faith is emerging!

History has shown us that it is not religion that is the problem, but any system of thought… one group of people that in the right and the others are in the wrong and must be punished.

Maybe dogmatism and certainty are the real evils! The language of “journey”, while in danger of becoming a cliche, is perhaps a new kind of language for Christians to use, in a world suspicious of certainty.

Well we held the Ashes for 1 year, 3 months and 3 days. The illusion of English Cricket renaissance was shattered in 11 days (or nights for us the UK) in Aus. Some shocking batting, poor bowling, lacklustre preparation, safe team selection, unfortunate injuries and late withdrawals have made it look more one-sided than it probably is, but the truth is (as much as I hate to admit it) Australia are the best side in the world and miles ahead of everyone.

There have been some moments when England have competed, and moments when the cricket was a contest, but those moments have not been often enough. It has failed to reach the heights of the 2005 series for tension, competition and drama (but it was never really going to). All a bit disappointing really.

Unless England pull their fingers out, my prediction of an Australia win of 3-1, is looking rather optimistic. Come on England, lets not go down 5-0.