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'''''Why I Am Not a Christian''''' is an essay by the British philosopher [[Bertrand Russell]] in which he explains why he is not a [[Christian]]. Originally a talk given March 6, 1927 at Battersea Town Hall, under the auspices of the South London Branch of the [[National Secular Society]], it was published that year as a pamphlet and was later published, with other essays, in the book, ''Why I Am Not a Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects''. | '''''Why I Am Not a Christian''''' is an essay by the British philosopher [[Bertrand Russell]] in which he explains why he is not a [[Christian]]. Originally a talk given March 6, 1927 at Battersea Town Hall, under the auspices of the South London Branch of the [[National Secular Society]], it was published that year as a pamphlet and was later published, with other essays, in the book, ''Why I Am Not a Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects''. | ||
==Outline== | |||
===What is a Christian?=== | |||
Russell points out that "Christianity" is a vague notion, and sets out to define the word. He concludes that someone should minimally satisfy the following requirements in order to be called a Christian: | |||
* Believe in [[God]] and [[immortality]]. | |||
* Believe that Christ was, if not divine, at least the best and wisest of men. | |||
Russell goes on to note that there may be some stricter definitions of Christianity, which also require such things as belief in [[hell]]. However, pointing to examples of Christians who do not believe in hell, Russell dispenses with this requirement. | |||
===The Existence Of God=== | |||
Russell considers and rejects a series of arguments proposed to prove the existence of God. Many of these are very succinct presentations of arguments presented elsewhere in Iron Chariots. He includes: | |||
* The [[first cause argument]] | |||
* The [[natural-law argument]] | |||
* The [[argument from design]] | |||
===The Moral Arguments For Deity=== | |||
====The Argument For The Remedying Of Injustice==== | |||
===The Character Of [[Christ]]=== | |||
===Defects In Christ's Teaching=== | |||
===The Moral Problem=== | |||
===The Emotional Factor=== | |||
===How The Churches Have Retarded Progress=== | |||
===Fear, The Foundation Of Religion=== | |||
===What We Must Do=== | |||
==External links== | ==External links== |
Revision as of 21:19, 11 November 2006
Why I Am Not a Christian is an essay by the British philosopher Bertrand Russell in which he explains why he is not a Christian. Originally a talk given March 6, 1927 at Battersea Town Hall, under the auspices of the South London Branch of the National Secular Society, it was published that year as a pamphlet and was later published, with other essays, in the book, Why I Am Not a Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects.
Outline
What is a Christian?
Russell points out that "Christianity" is a vague notion, and sets out to define the word. He concludes that someone should minimally satisfy the following requirements in order to be called a Christian:
- Believe in God and immortality.
- Believe that Christ was, if not divine, at least the best and wisest of men.
Russell goes on to note that there may be some stricter definitions of Christianity, which also require such things as belief in hell. However, pointing to examples of Christians who do not believe in hell, Russell dispenses with this requirement.
The Existence Of God
Russell considers and rejects a series of arguments proposed to prove the existence of God. Many of these are very succinct presentations of arguments presented elsewhere in Iron Chariots. He includes:
The Moral Arguments For Deity
The Argument For The Remedying Of Injustice
The Character Of Christ
Defects In Christ's Teaching
The Moral Problem
The Emotional Factor
How The Churches Have Retarded Progress
Fear, The Foundation Of Religion
What We Must Do
External links
- Full text of Russell's essay, hosted at [Positive Atheism]