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The Lapsed Atheist: Charles Murray Makes the Case for God

Peter Robinson
@PeterRobinson
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For most of his life, Charles Murray was a casual agnostic who assumed smart people had left religion behind. Now he’s not so sure. Here, Murray discusses the evidence that forced him to reconsider God, the soul, and Christianity. From near-death experiences and the mysterious Shroud of Turin to the historical reliability of the Gospels and the Resurrection, it’s the story of an empirically minded skeptic who followed the evidence wherever it led—and discovered that faith may be far more reasonable than he once believed.

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Discussion (7)

  • Arahant@Arahant

    Agnosticism and atheism are two different things. Agnosticism is either acknowledging one does not know enough or reserving judgment. Atheism is an act of faith, so not so different from religion other than what one has faith in. I have not had time to listen yet, but it is an important distinction. The title says Atheist, but description agnostic. I look forward to listening.

  • Freeven@Freeven
    ReplyingtoArahant

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Agnosticism and atheism are two different things. Agnosticism is either acknowledging one does not know enough or reserving judgment. Atheism is an act of faith, so not so different from religion other than what one has faith in. I have not had time to listen yet, but it is an important distinction. The title says Atheist, but description agnostic. I look forward to listening.

    I watched the interview yesterday. "Casual atheist" is Murray's description of himself for most of his life. He didn't give religion much thought, as all the "smart" people were atheists. Only recently has he become engaged in a serious search for evidence of God. This book is about that search and where it's leading him. I'm in a similar place in my life, and I found the interview interesting and helpful.

  • Bishop Wash@BishopWash

    The title reminds me of the Monty Python An Atheist's Sunday Brunch skit.

    Man: I wish those bloody bells would stop.

    Wife: Oh, it’s quite nice dear, it’s Sunday, it’s the church.

    M: What about us atheists? Why should we ‘ave to listen to that sectarian turmoil?

    W: You’re a lapsed atheist, dear.

    M: The principle’s the same. The Mohmedans don’t come ‘round here wavin’ bells at us! We don’t get Buddhists playing bagpipes in our bathroom! Or Hindus harmonizing in the hall! The Shintus don’t come here shattering sheet glass in the shithouse, shouting slogans-

    W: All right, don’t practice your alliteration on me.

    M: Anyway, when I membership card and blazer badge back from the League of Agnostics, I shall urge the executive to lodge a protest against that religious racket! Pass the butter knife!

    ...

    Looking back at the skit, sadly for the UK, the Mohmedans have shown up and are doing more than wavin' bells. I'm not sure how prevalent it is but the push is to broadcast the call to prayer five times a day.

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