Chapter 1: The Debate on Christianity's Role

In a recent open letter to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Richard Dawkins expressed his views following her conversion to Christianity. Ali cited two main reasons for her newfound faith in an article for Unherd. She described Christianity as a unifying framework to combat significant threats, such as the authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party and Russia under Vladimir Putin, as well as the rise of global Islamism and the pervasive influence of woke ideology, which she believes undermines the moral foundation of younger generations.

Ali articulated a personal void that atheism could not fill, although her primary argument seemed rooted in the political necessity of Christianity. She appears to align herself with the perspective of historian Tom Holland, who argues in his book Dominion that much of our moral and cultural landscape stems from Christianity. Ali seems to think that reaffirming Christian identity is crucial for the West's future.

Dawkins, however, disagrees. While he acknowledges the political challenges and recognizes the cultural significance of Christianity, he disputes the notion that all foundational aspects of our culture are inherently Christian. His primary contention revolves around the truth claims of Christianity, which he believes neither he nor Ali genuinely accepts. He took issue with Ali's assertion that he is "one of the most Christian people she knows," interpreting it as an implication that being culturally Christian equates to being a true Christian.

Dawkins stated, "How you or I behave is irrelevant; what matters are the truth claims about the world that you believe to be true. Christianity makes factual assertions—truth claims that Christians hold dear and that define their faith. Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his burial? Of course you don’t."

As a Christian myself, I find merit in Dawkins' argument. There is a noticeable revival of Christianity in contemporary society, driven by various factors, particularly cultural and political influences. This resurgence appears to be adopted by individuals seeking a certain public image, often aligning with specific political agendas.

Nevertheless, Ali's approach seems to stem from a genuine personal conviction, contrasting with some public figures who have more recently professed their faith. In a public debate, she emphasized the goodness of Christianity and the importance of love and renewal within its message. However, she also clearly views Christianity as a cultural and political force and hesitates to fully embrace the core truth claims that Dawkins highlights.

Dawkins has candidly identified as a "cultural Christian," maintaining his inability to accept Christianity's historical and metaphysical assertions. While it is true that Christianity encompasses more than just a collection of propositions, it still contains definitive claims that cannot be dismissed. The historical fact of whether a person truly rose from the dead two millennia ago is significant. The pathway to understanding or believing that claim may not be found solely through scientific inquiry, yet it represents an unavoidable dilemma. Merely stating that Christianity is culturally, politically, morally, or psychologically beneficial falls short of addressing the core issues.

Moreover, the assumption that cultural Christianity equates to true Christianity is debatable, as is Holland's argument. Holland rightly points out the inaccuracies in the belief that Enlightenment thinkers solely shaped our values, suggesting that we are more Christian than we realize. However, he sometimes overreaches. Listening to him can feel like playing a game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Christianity—connecting any concept to Christianity inappropriately. While some modern secular humanist values can indeed trace their roots back to Christianity, it's misleading to claim that all good actions throughout history stem from Christianity. Certain values in modern liberal societies emerged after Christianity's decline, presenting a paradox that believers must grapple with. Our moral river flows from multiple sources.

Even if it were accurate to assert that all good derives from Christianity, as Dawkins suggests, so what? Arguing that this makes Christianity true would be a genetic fallacy. Furthermore, if Christianity's central tenets were false, its significance would merely be as a cultural narrative, akin to the myth of Sisyphus. Christians assert that their core beliefs are, at least at their foundation, genuinely true.

Thus, Dawkins raises a valid point. Although his critique of Christianity’s new role as a political safeguard may appear hypocritical—given that he has previously discussed cultural Christianity—one cannot simply adopt it without genuinely reflecting on the implications of belief. Both Dawkins and the Apostle Paul share a common sentiment: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

Chapter 2: Understanding the Significance of Death

The first video titled "Richard Dawkins' Ex-Right-Hand Man Comes to Christ!" explores the dynamics of faith conversion and the implications of belief in the modern world.

The second video, "Outgrowing God: Richard Dawkins in Conversation," features Dawkins discussing his views on religion, science, and the ongoing debate surrounding belief systems.