tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13012039.post3112770257973752343..comments2024-03-28T03:15:54.134-07:00Comments on Luke 10:27: A Wonderful Atheist Life? or, Atheist Delusions, AbridgedBeth Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00080711997032932991noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13012039.post-10049741199351184612011-01-01T17:24:37.817-08:002011-01-01T17:24:37.817-08:00P.S. Regarding the "dark ages:" I neglec...P.S. Regarding the "dark ages:" I neglected to point out the tremendous artistic, philosophical, architectural and literary accomplishments of the middle ages. <br /><br />Furthermore, the roots of modern science can be traced to the Christian middle ages. (See chapter 5, <i> Medieval Religion and Technology,</i> by Lynn Townsend White <br />http://tinyurl.com/2easfqg <br />"When a Syrian, a Nigerian or a Burmese looks at the Occident, what does he see as really distinctive and valuable?" etc.)<br /><br />Also, check out<br /><br />http://catholicinsight.com/online/features/article_798.shtml<br /><br />It hardly seems fair to use the term "wallow" to refer to the period from 500-1500! Yes, many people were illiterate, and sanitation was poor, but honestly, was the situation all that much different for Chinese peasants, those in the lower castes of India, or those living in sub-Saharan Africa?Beth Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00080711997032932991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13012039.post-643584966496454342011-01-01T14:14:12.037-08:002011-01-01T14:14:12.037-08:00As I understand this article, monotheism in gener...As I understand this article, monotheism in general (Judaism, Christianity and Islam)is the root of the contrast, but the writer admits he is a Western Christian and so speaks from that perspective. <br /><br />I would argue that Christianity not only repeated but <i>advanced and enlarged</i> the lessons learned from Jewish scriptures and teachings because it was able to correct and complete pagan Greek thought. (See Gilson,"the Intelligence in the service of Christ the King.") http://medievalmind.blogspot.com/2006/07/gilson-intelligence-in-service-of.html <br /><br /><br />Please don't make the mistake of thinking that the period from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance was <i>entirely</i> the "Dark Ages." That is the myth of the Enlightenment and modernism, a story which is dear to the heart of atheists. The Carolingian Renaissance blended the best of Jewish and Classical cultures to produce the foundation of learning that became the medieval universities, forebears of today's universities. (See Hart's "Atheist Delusions" for further refutation of the modernist narrative.) <br /><br />And while it is true that non-monotheist Asia and North Africa for several centuries had daily baths, advanced medical care and science, their theological fatalism mitigated against the dignity and freedom of the human person. Some have argued that this is why those areas have been characterized by autocracy rather than democracy.Beth Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00080711997032932991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13012039.post-91207493219209877732010-12-29T12:10:39.909-08:002010-12-29T12:10:39.909-08:00To be fair, it is not Christianity that gave the w...To be fair, it is not Christianity that gave the world most what you mention, but rather Judaism. Christianity was repeating lessons learned from Jewish scriptures and teachings. <br /><br />And on the other side, while "Christian" Europe was wallowing in ignorance and filth, non-monotheist Asia and North African had plumbing, daily baths, advanced medical care and science. Not atheist, but also not Christian at all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01882678526392168848noreply@blogger.com