Age of Atheism or Religious Revival?3/29/2007 - 6:00 AM PST



Interview With Father Thomas D. Williams

ROME, MARCH 29, 2007 (Zenit) - The notion of holiness can seem boring to modern man, but in reality it is the greatest adventure of human existence, says a theology dean.

Legionary Father Thomas D. Williams, dean of theology at Rome's Regina Apostolorum university, makes that point in his new book, "Spiritual Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be."

He spoke with us about the state of religion and spirituality in Western society.

Q: Several books have come out in the recent past making the case for atheism and the end of religion. At the same time people seem to be returning to religious faith in greater numbers. Which is it, an age of atheism or a new religious revival?

Father Williams: What seems most clear is the heightened interest in all things spiritual, whether that means theories proposing to debunk religion, "lite" spirituality, or a more serious exploration of the Christian faith.

The category of spiritual and religious books is the fastest growing sector of publishing. People seem tired of chasing after a purely material success and are exploring life's bigger questions. What does it all mean? Why am I here? Where am I going?

Q: Do books such as Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion," Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation," or Daniel Dennett's "Breaking the Spell" pose a serious threat to Christianity?

Father Williams: They may not pose a serious threat to Christianity as such -- the Church has faced far more stalwart adversaries -- but they do cause confusion and unrest for many Christians, especially the uncatechized.

In reality, the atheistic theories these authors propose are centuries old and resurface anew in every generation. They may appear novel to those who encounter them for the first time, but they could have been lifted straight out of texts from Voltaire, or Auguste Comte or any number of other Enlightenment authors.

The new threat posed by books such as Dawkins' is that they come with a veneer of "scientific" plausibility, which adds cachet -- if not substance -- to his arguments.

Q: Is "The God Delusion" an honest inquiry into the nature of religion?

Father Williams: Of course not. That would be like calling "The Da Vinci Code" an honest inquiry into the history of Christianity.

Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist. We expect scientists to be objective, impartial and intellectually serious. Unfortunately, with authors like Dawkins this isn't the case. He studiously avoids all evidence that would contradict his theories, and his stated intention is to win over his readers to the atheist crusade. In this book, he is a proselytizer, not a scientist.

Q: You also work as an analyst and commentator for NBC News. What is your perception of the attention that religious faith is given in the media?

Father Williams: To a certain extent the mainline media have picked up on people's interest in religion and offer occasional stories that touch on Christianity and the Church.

The fact that NBC/MSNBC brought me aboard and Fox News regularly features my colleague Father Jonathan Morris testifies to a growing awareness of the importance of religion and spirituality to the public at large.

The success enjoyed by EWTN, which enthusiastically offers Catholic doctrine and spirituality, is further proof of people's hunger and thirst for real spiritual food.

Q: In the later years of his life Pope John Paul II repeatedly asserted that the third millennium would usher in a new "springtime of faith." Was this just an expression of his natural optimism, or can we see real signs of such a springtime?

Father Williams: The Holy Father's words reflected a serious analysis of the state of society in the wake of the tragedies of the 20th century.

Remember that the first sign of spring is the end of winter. Before we see pink rose buds and hear twittering songbirds, we will see white snow turn to ugly brown slush. When winter loses its stranglehold on nature, that is the true beginning of spring.

We see a parallel to this in human society. This past century saw the rise and fall of Marxist Communism, Nazism and Fascism, as well as more subtle versions of ideological materialism promising an earthly paradise. For a while many put their hopes in these ideologies. One by one, however, the great secular ideologies have fallen into disrepute, after causing untold human suffering. As these social experiments have failed, people have realized that they must look elsewhere for meaning and the solution of the world's problems.

Q: Does this mean we can expect a spiritual summer to follow?

Father Williams: That depends on whether we take advantage of the opportunities of the moment. Remember that springtime is a time not of fulfillment, but of hope and promise. Above all, it is a time of work.

Softer soil is equally open to weeds or good seed. Something will grow, but there is no guarantee that it will be flowers and good plants. Spring offers a window of opportunity, a particularly apt moment to sow new seed when the ground is softening up and ready to receive it. If we use the opportunity well, all of humankind will reap the benefits.

Q: Your own book "Spiritual Progress" tries to take advantage of this moment. What do you propose?

Father Williams: This book is a guide for those who wish to advance in the spiritual life. Many are realizing that being Christian in name only simply isn't enough. The Christian life is essentially dynamic and should grow constantly.

Even if we have earnestly cultivated our prayer life and our life of virtue, Christ always invites us to grow more, and holds out new challenges to us. This book helps Christians to understand more clearly where they should be headed in their spiritual lives and how to get there.

Q: In a nutshell, what is the aim of the spiritual life?

Father Williams: The aim of the spiritual life is holiness and union with God. Unfortunately the idea of holiness sounds very foreign -- and not very attractive -- to modern ears. I begin the book unraveling typical misconceptions about holiness, explaining what it is not, before setting out what it is.

Holiness can seem boring, unreachable, even fanatical. In reality, it is the greatest adventure of human existence. We often think we know all about the Christian spiritual life, but we see it only as a caricature. It is actually much richer, fuller and more exciting than what we imagine.

Holiness is found not in seeking to perfect ourselves -- picking away at faults and storing up spiritual credit. It is about forgetting ourselves, discovering how intensely and passionately God loves us, and in loving God and neighbor as a response.

Q: Where does God's will fit in?

Father Williams: Here, too, we need to sweep away some common misconceptions. God's will is not simply a blueprint he has made for our lives, like a well-meaning but overbearing father who desperately wants his daughter to be a lawyer.

God's will is simply another name for God's love for us. Because he loves us, he wants only good things -- the best things -- for us. He asks certain things from us not because he needs them, but because we need them. He points out the road to true happiness, and allows us to share in his own life and work.

Q: What does this require from Christians?

Father Williams: Above all, it requires courage and trust. We need courage to embark on a life of faith, without knowing where it will lead. We need courage to accept the challenges that our Christian faith holds out to us. We need courage to leave behind our old securities and treasures, and to put our confidence in God and his promises.

And we need trust. This is perhaps the greatest challenge for modern Christians. We often feel betrayed by those closest to us, and would prefer to rely on our own ingenuity and creativity.

But God wants our trust. He wants us to believe in him, and to know that he will never let us down. Only the one who trusts finds the strength to accept the beautiful demands of the Christian life. When we finally realize that God really is Love, we learn to trust in him unconditionally and to follow him wherever he leads.

my only comment on the article is this...

why do they always ask a Catholic priest about all Christians in general... when almost half of all Christians DO NOT agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church?

maybe they should ask someone from each group...

Ohh good lord gimme strengh ......why ask a preist...but if the artical was posted with an interview with a pastor..that would make it ok then...gee wizz its a sad sad world we live in..to yap over a silly thing like this...religion any bloddy wonder i stay well away from it Religion is not meant to be used as a fighting tool...its not meant to show freaking arrogance towards other faiths..so what if a preist gives views...maybe he was the only one that was asked..who cares?? Why do people get so hung up on how a religious faith is run?? whats the freaking point yapping over..boohoo they ask a preist but not anyone else...google the chrsitianity branches the catholic faith dominates chrsitianity ...where do you think protestants once came from?? Muslims??

And yet the foremost denomination on the planet is the catholic.

I wonder phantum, you say you're christian. Do you then believe A Christian becomes a saint when the Spirit baptizes him into the body of Christ? Or a Christian is a priest?

Age of Atheism I hope ;D

I'd prefer an Age of Reason and Free Thought to a blatant Age of Atheism. I am certain that there are people out there who come to a different conclusion than I did when they wonder about the existance or lack thereof of a higher being. I'd rather people make up their own mind and keep their opinions to themselves than have people indoctrinated either way and be on a crusade to persuade the rest of the world.

I prefer Athiests to the people who tell me I am going to burn in hell for eternity just because I do not Believe in God

What do you call a dead atheist??
All dressed up and nowhere to go yonk yonk!!

Why is three atheists in a Ford car, hanging over a cliff...a shame??
Cuz a Ford has 4 seats


It's a harmless JOKE people lol

Why is three atheists in a Ford car, hanging over a cliff...a shame??
Cuz a Ford has 4 seats

~Cough~ You clearly missed the launch of that Jehovah Witness from the back seat!


What do you call a JW in free fall from a brand new cliff suspended Ford?

Damn dead! Because that 144 thousand in heaven has already been filled.


What do you call an Atheist that walks on water?
Delusional! And very very wet.

What do you say to an Atheist that talks to god?
Nothing! As soon as the Peyote wears off, they'll be just fine.





And to the other part of the discussion. You know, that far more serious side, I wouldn't want to live in a world ruled by one ideology or philosophy, period. Atheist, free thought, theism, etc... I think the diversity is what makes it interesting. What I object to are the zealots of any stripe that think they have a right to try to rule the world, one small part at a time, by oppressing other thoughts contrary to their own. When I see that, I see people that are scared of the diversity and since their so comfortable in their own line of thinking, because they feel accepted there, they think the whole world should be like that so they can feel accepted everywhere. It goes to reflect more on their personal insecurity than it does on the world at large, whom they criticize for being different.

Real christians don't fear life, if they're embraced in the love of their lord. Real Atheists don't fear theists if they are secure in who they are and respect their right to freedom and thereby respect the rights of others to the same. Real life isn't monochrome. It's not one way of thinking, there's not just one species on the planet, there's not one of anything at all. Except our unique human-beingness as individuals of that mortal herd. Instead of thinking we have to war to gain supremacy, why not relax, find peace, and gain an experience?!


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IMO there's one thing that trumps both pure reason and pure faith: A spiritual understanding backed by solid scientific precepts - especially ones found in quantum physics. Quantum physicists are almost regarded as quacks by their own peers anyhow, so it's not too far from being a faith based scientific discipline.

I find it kind of pathetic that most people think that becoming an atheist or religious person is their only choice. Whatever happened to personal experience and research?

Again its your choice...whether you want to believe in what you have experienced is true or not....ie - did he answer my prayers or was that a coincidence?? what to belive is your choice...if you want to belive this is a prayer answered...its your choice...if not?? still your choice

research..well depends on what you pick up from it...if you feel the research has made sense then its your choice whether or not to take it as gospel

Age of atheism or religious revival is the main topic. I feel that both camps have their blinders on because they're pretty narrow minded. And sorry, I don't have the time to discuss this further (puts on blinders).

Yea but I did knock off that ole not a choice...research and personal experience idea...both are choices

I totally agree.

Diversity is good. The freedom to express yourself (I said express... not expose ) and to explore your own path is important. Those who wish to belittle the beliefs of others... not explore, just belittle... are insecure in themselves and can only raise themselves up by pushing others down.

Totally.

Yeaa kinna like..if you don't belive in something they do...watch out for the fireworks....