Underestimating Your Adversary

"There is a God."

--Anthony Flew

I recently read Dr. Flew's book, entitled as the quote above. To be clear, Flew is not a Christian. He does not claim to be. He is a sort of deist, I suppose, or, perhaps, a theistic agnostic. The book is not so much a series of compelling arguments for the existence of a supreme Mind, but more of an autobiography of his "conversion." It recounts the circumstances and basic ideas that caused him to change his mind. Many in the atheist camp are quite upset at this apostasy, although I really do not understand why. The fact that Dr. Flew is a theist does not, in and of itself, mean anything in reference to the merits of the debate or the truth of the matter of theism. One could just as easily produce former theists that have defected the ranks of the faithful. However, I think the reaction reveals a fundamental problem at the heart of the current debate, which is a lack of respect on the part of the atheists for their theist counterparts, a lack of respect that is, from my experience, not often reciprocated. When you read "new atheists," you get the impression that believing in a Supreme Mind or Being is like believing in unicorns, fairies, and pixie dust. Only a complete dolt could be a theist, after all. This is so manifestly absurd it is nothing more than annoying. I am no prophet, but I think this prejudicial, arrogant attitude will be the ultimate downfall of the "new atheist" movement. The God question will not go away. It never will. There will always be good arguments for theism which will be held by extremely intelligent and accomplished scholars. The atheists may argue that they do not find these arguments compelling, but their condescending dismissal of theism and their belligerent antipathy toward their theist colleagues simply will not stand the test of time. Underestimating your adversary is a fundamental strategic and tactical error that rarely produces the results desired. Of course, as a minister/theologian, I run into this often. Someone will claim that I may as well believe in Santa Clause. This is understandable when it is uttered by an ignorant amateur who has not even begun to consider the profound philosophical questions he claims to have resolved. It is inexcusable in academia or among thoughtful people.