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There is little hope of ever reconciling the Antony Flew of 87 years with the Antony Flew of 27 years. Did he change his mind, or did his mind change him? History will record Antony Flew as a deist; Annis Flew confirmed that for us all. History, I fear, becomes an unwitting conspirator, forever defiled. With so many varied aspects to this story, it is easy to forget that which matters most. Antony Garrard Newton Flew, philosopher, professor, author, atheist pioneer, and devoted husband, is now gone. For more than 60 years this thinker, this man of great intellect, marched to a different drum and followed the argument. We owe him much. Link
7 comments:
Aww, I loved Antony Flew. God Bless Antony!
That's a really pathetic article. Grubbs's attempts to reclaim Flew for atheism are as transparent as the attempts of the Christians to claim him for themselves.
Why can't we just let Flew be Flew?
Concerning Antony Few’s changing his mind about there being a god, this is equal to someone living somewhere in the world and stating that they are no long anarchist, but now they now believe in government; but just what kind: Nazi Germany, North Korea, Democracy, Socialism … so what?
And as far as conservative Christianity is concerned, Few’s theistic belief in some god somewhere is no better off than Satan and his demon’s theism: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. (James 2: 19)
Few theism is just as the late professor from Columbia University, Morton Smith, used to say it is: “If people don’t understand something, then they think it must be religious!”
In the final analysis, Few’s theism was some god who had no doctrinal character and was affiliated with no major world religion.
However, for those needing some theistic hope that can be held up as "divine proof" (be it Hinduism or Christianity), then Few’s nameless and faceless god just maybe the “Great White Hope” they need.
Well said Harry.
In 2005 a Christian broadcaster had to abandon plans to broadcast an interview with Flew, 'out of respect'.
This was because he was incoherent and could not understand the questions.
Interesting Steve and this same thing was noted by reviewers who gave his theistic book one star on Amazon.
"This was because he was incoherent and could not understand the questions." sounds like par for the course for most Christians who comment here on posts @ DC!
I liked the article, and it's sad what happened to such a brilliant man due to his age (and it seems some kind of pathology). I do not agree with these christian apologists who have felt it necessary to proclaim Flew as one of their own when he doesn't even believe in any of the "revealed religions" as his wife said in the interview. It's just another 'argument from authority' these guys are touting to desperately give some legitimacy to their beliefs, but those who know better aren't buying it. It seems Flew was taken advantage of and I think it's despicable and shows the moral depravity of some theists. As for Flew's personal beliefs, that's his business, but to have a number of individuals talk him into signing off on a book and putting his name to one he didn't even write is clearly unethical. Especially when many of the views expressed within aren't even his!
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