Search Results for: Spufford

Francis Spufford, former atheist, defends his faith in a new book

Since this site began I’ve written a few posts about Francis Spufford, a Christian writer who can’t stop attacking New Atheists, and in the most insupportable and mean-spirited ways. Spufford has just issued his recent book (which came out in March in the UK) in the US; it’s called Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make … Continue reading Francis Spufford, former atheist, defends his faith in a new book

The Spectator: Christianity is the foundation of “our” civilization

Religious rump-osculation among anglophones isn’t limited to Americans. For a prime example from the other side of the pond, see the new piece by Michael Gove, a British conservative MP, in The Spectator: “Why I’m proud to be a Christian (and Jeremy Paxman should be ashamed)“. (The subtitle is “Despite a tidal wave of prejudice and … Continue reading The Spectator: Christianity is the foundation of “our” civilization

Francis Spufford writes the world’s most tedious defense of Christianity in Salon

For some reason Salon has taken to publishing lots of articles that favor religion and criticize New Atheism. These pieces are often dreadful, and I rarely frequent that website any more. (Slate, which retains the patina lent by columnist Christopher Hitchens, is much better.) But Salon has outdone itself this time with perhaps the worst … Continue reading Francis Spufford writes the world’s most tedious defense of Christianity in Salon

Christian runner drops out of race rather than wear Satan’s number

Codie Thacker, a high-school athlete in Kentucky, dropped out of a regional championship race because she was assigned The Number of the Beast.  When she opened her race envelope, this is what she got (screenshot from the video mentioned below): According to Yahoo News (where you should watch the video about this), Thacker wouldn’t accept … Continue reading Christian runner drops out of race rather than wear Satan’s number

A belated reply from Francis Spufford, who defends his faith

Christian writer Francis Spufford sent me an email calling my attention to a post on his blog, Unapologetic, in which he belatedly answers two critiques I’d written of his pieces—one essay in the Guardian and the other his infamous “Dear Atheist” letter in New Humanist. You know what you’re in for when you see the title: “Dear … Continue reading A belated reply from Francis Spufford, who defends his faith

Francis Spufford strikes again: defends his faith against atheism

Francis Spufford must be deeply disturbed by New Atheism.  His conciliatory letter to atheists in New Humanist has, within a week, morphed into a long, semi-coherent tirade in the Guardian against nonbelievers: “The trouble with atheists: a defense of faith“.  His main concern is to justify his faith in the absence of evidence, but also … Continue reading Francis Spufford strikes again: defends his faith against atheism

What did science and religion discover last year?

THE CLAIMS “The question of truth is as central to [religion’s] concern as it is in science. Religious belief can guide one in life or strengthen one at the approach of death, but unless it is actually true it can do neither of these things and so would amount to no more than an illusionary … Continue reading What did science and religion discover last year?

A slew of apologists and atheist butters in The New Statesman

The New Statesman, like other British publications including the Guardian, has recently decided to solicit some pushback against New Atheism (NA).  It includes the latest trope in critiques of NA: they decry it on the grounds that we don’t suggest ways to meet the human needs satisfied by religion.  Most of the anti-NA pieces never … Continue reading A slew of apologists and atheist butters in The New Statesman