Is there a God who actively works in Earth’s affairs?
Those who answer “No” have virtually nothing to discuss with those who assent, whether deist, agnostic, or atheist. What common ground is there when the most fundamental question is answered differently?
To me it seems that the atheist position is nonsense. Given that matter and inertia exist, some force must have created the former and initiated the latter. We’re taught that matter is neither created nor destroyed. But where did it come from? Out of a magician’s hat?
That said, the deist/agnostic position is logically plausible and quite possibly true. However, it is ultimately, in my opinion, utterly without inspiration. Time, space, and men are all too dull without something to give them meaning.
To paraphrase Chris Rice: Would I really be so curious if there weren’t something more? I don’t think so.
As relates to the governance of America, there can be a healthy tension between the theist and deist belief systems so long as neither side gains supremacy.
That balance, I believe, was the intent of the Founding Fathers rather than the denial of Christianity that we see being espoused by the intellectual left today.
Russell Miller recently wrote about pro-choicers being unable to accept living in a country where they were “only” free to do whatever they wanted for the first trimester of their baby’s life.
We can generalize his argument and apply it to the religion-in-government debate in general. Liberal atheists/agnostics – as a group mind you, individual positions may vary – have not been content to be free to live and believe as they please. Instead they insist on their “right” to be governed by a system that does not acknowledge God in any way, no matter how small.
In this, as in everything, I have no patience with fools who insist on having it all their way. Americans must remember how to give a little.
Intractability is met with resistance. Escalation ensues. Polarization results. Balance is lost. Enemies capitalize. We do have a few enemies out there, don’t we?
Americans of all affiliations – indeed, all Westerners – really must begin to remember that fact and give the rather precarious position we find ourselves in proper consideration when deciding who to start “holy wars” with, abortion being just one such.