Theres no such thing as an atheist baby. Richard Dawkins implication that babies have a default theological position of atheism is as silly as assuming a default language or nationality.... Dawkins has argued that there are no Christian babies, only babies born to Christian parents. Babies have no religion. But the same reasoning would mean there are no Chinese or German babies either. There are only babies born to Chinese or German parents who will be socialized into their language and culture.... To imply that babies have a default theological position of atheism is as silly as assuming that they have a default language or nationality. Of course, in an environment where religion is regarded as weird and old-fashioned, children grow up atheist because thats what their parents are. They dont think about it....This isnt a reasoned rejection of belief after serious consideration of its possible truth. There is another reason why babies cant be atheists or agnostics. Everything we know from science shows that supernaturalism comes naturally to children. It is not just that they believe much of what their parents and the surrounding societies tell them: they show a preference for remembering and transmitting stories that defy scientific rationality. So do we all, unless we train ourselves out of it. theguardian/commentisfree/2014/jun/12/atheist-baby-richard-dawkins-babies-atheism
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 01:48:54 +0000
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