Vol. 1 No. 19 – December 11, 2006

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Publisher's Note

Quite a week, it was! On the religious front, that is.

In South Africa the annual 16-day Campaign Against Violence Against Women and Children ended December 10.

The Reverend Elsje Büchner, pastor of the Dutch Reformed (NG) congregation of Lux Mundi and member of the algemene sinodale moderatuur (general synodical executive church-council), pontificated in the matter… and was rewarded for her trouble, courtesy of TART reader George Ferreira, with the iron fist of reason in the solar plexus. (See box.)

It is rumoured that NG gays wishing to be married under South Africa’s proud new Civil Unions Bill may be referred to the Reformerende Kerk – a “gay-friendly” church (the terminology spawned by preposterous doctrines is flabbergasting) “reaching out to the gay community, since none of the mainline churches are willing to accept their gay members unconditionally.”

Apparently, NG theologian Adrio König, on December 10, declared on the Afrikaans radio station RSG that it would be “safer and better” for the church to maintain a “fundamentalist” approach – as opposed to a “liberal” approach.

Verily, it is well nigh impossible for an intelligent individual to be a member of the NG Church – to be a member of any church, in fact.

The University of Stellenbosch appointed theologian Professor Russel Botman rector.

I regard Botman as a man of supreme integrity. But Botman is a believer – a theologian…

Should someone who believes in God, a creation, and life everlasting run a university in the 21^st century? Should an alchemist, an astrologer, a phrenologist, an AIDS dissident, a chiromancer? I think not.

I am of the opinion that any salient specialist subjecting to the supernatural risks an anomaly that will almost certainly subvert the best endeavours.

How should a specialist be judged admitting thus:

I consult a supernatural entity regularly for insight on managing challenging issues and are advised on the best course of action through innuendo and suggestion that may be described as a sequential mental process in which one thought leads to another by association.

Such consultations are sometimes unilateral and take the form of entreaties, petitions, adoration, contrition and thanksgiving, without response from the supernatural.

I am convinced beyond a valeity of doubt that such consultations will ineluctably result not only in the revelation of optimal strategies, but also in the provision of incomparable tactical insight and the mental and physical strength to facilitate successful implementation.

I furthermore am convinced that such continued consultations will result in my immortality subsequent to my death.

Would I have such a specialist run my investment portfolio? I think not. Would I have such a specialist run my health care regime? I think not. Would I have such a specialist run my company? I think not.

Editor's Note

Belief in “god” supposes belief in “Creation”.

I have long harboured this conviction and when I considered the informal poll in the matter of belief in creation (and the virgin birth) on the Kerkbode website, I was struck again by the inevitable folly that is spawned by belief in “god”.

The church, Christianity, will not abandon the concept of “god” – therefore it must accept all that flows from that single conception… and be forever relegated to mythology.

I consider, in this issue, the fact that specific non-negotiable beliefs disqualify Christians from holding particular offices and positions of influence.

Professor Sakkie Spangenberg wrote a comprehensive report on The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins. Although this book, and comment on it, has been featured on several occasions in past TART issues, this review is an important one from a theological perspective and is published in its entirety – in Afrikaans.

Contents

Publisher’s note

Editor’s note

A belief in “god” triggers many, many beliefs…

Religion for a captive audience, paid for by taxes

The God Delusion reviewed by Professor I J J Spangenberg

The sound of thorns crackling in a fire