27 Apr - 4 May 2008

Last Tuesday I led an open debate about Richard Dawkins' 'The God Delusion' with a colleague (we did one at the University of Bolton last year). Dawkins' argument rests on the idea that science is able to explain everything in the universe and proves that the concept of God is highly unlikely.

The theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein once said

“It would be possible to describe everything scientifically, but it would make no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described a Beethoven symphony [insert your own favourite music] as a variation of wave pressure.”

Albert Einstein (1879-1955, theoretical physicist; awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1921).

There is no Additional Thought this week. Instead, look at the summary of Richard Dawkins’ book ‘The God Delusion’ together and the critical responses. You can find these at http://www.bolton.ac.uk/chaplaincy and click on the Related Link on the right The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins. You will also find other information related to Dawkins and the science-religion debate. Comment on Dawkins' book or the responses to Dawkins.

13 - 27 Apr 2008

A number of Thoughts for two weeks on the same theme.

Most of us want some things in our life to be different and we can change some with a bit of perseverance. However, there are some situations which we cannot change and which drain us of energy. For our own health we need to look at these situations in a different way.

As the Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote:

"People are not disturbed by things but by the view which they take of them".

Epictetus (c55-135, Greek Stoic philosopher; from 'Enchiridion' or 'Handbook' 5, 135 CE).

More recently, Albert Schweitzer wrote:

"The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."

Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965, theologian, philosopher, organist & mission doctor).

Additional Thoughts

On a similar theme, we read in the Jewish Talmud:

"We do not see things as they are, but as we are."

The psychiatrist Victor Frankl put it this way:

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves".

Victor Frankl (1905-1997 Austrian psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor).

If you are affected by the Thought for the Week, you can contact me - see my profile in About Me.

6 - 13 Apr 2008

A quotation by the Lebanese-American writer, Kahlil Gibran:

"Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which as been your delight."

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931; from 'The Prophet', 1926).

If you are affected by the Thought for the Week, you can contact me - see my profile in About Me.

Further Thought

On a similar theme, Kahlil Gibran wrote:

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls;
the most massive characters are seared with scars".