Caricature Atheism

Hey again, I’ll share one more observation my friend George made. Remember, you can read George’s entire review on his blog www.decrepitoldfool.com He felt that David Urbane was a clumsy caricature of an atheist. George seems to have two thoughts on the matter. 1. He sees Urbane as an example of ‘atheism due to pathology’ rather than just a person who does not find the ‘Christian myth’ intellectually credible. 2. George says that you’re not an atheist if you’re mad at God as opposed to not believing in him. In terms of The Pilate Plot, it seems best to me to answer these in reverse order. As the book set out, Urbane was not mad at God – in whom he genuinely did not believe. His grudge was against the historical legacy of Jesus Christ. It does not require belief in God to arrive at the (I feel obviously mistaken) conclusion that the legacy of Jesus Christ is shaping history and society in ways you would rather it did not. Further, said legacy invaded not only Urbane’s comfortable materialistic/humanistic worldview, but his home. When his wife sold out to Jesus, it ticked him off! He did not have to believe in God to experience this anger. Which, leads to the pathology issue. My friends, we are all messed up. Oddly, George agrees with me on this point but is still offended by the pathology (messed upness) angle. Urbane’s personal pathology had to do with the fact that on one level he loathed his own actions in abandoning his wife. This was compounded by the fact that she got sick and died soon afterwards resulting in the complete loss of any opportunity for dealing with the personal guilt. I maintain that this is an entirely accurate human pathology whether or not one is a believer – Urbane was not. That his pathological condition played a part in leading him to become a believer is such a profoundly Biblical concept and such a commonly seen scenario today that it hardly seems like any kind of caricature to me. But George’s perspective is valuable to me and his critique has already helped me in some ways as I work on the next project. I’d be glad for your input.

First, let me share with any interested parties that Iwill be making a presentation about The Pilate Plot at the Malvern (OH) Rotary, March 30, 6:30 PM. Then let me share a little more about my atheist friend's critique of the book. By the way - George's full review is up on his blog www.decrepitoldfool.com I issue the same warnings as before - Christians will not find George's blog particularly enjoyable. In addition to not caring for Nathaniel Stone's dialect, George felt that the 'razor sharp' focus on the torture of Brian Stearnes amounted to 'violence porn' (that term appeared in notes George sent to me rather than in his official review.) George said he read the torture segments since he didn't want to miss any key ideas and subsequently wished he hadn't read them. In other words - George feels that the torture segments are harmful to the reader and should be deleted. I am quick to admit that The Pilate Plot includes darkness. It's in the book because I believe in the existence of evil as a personal force in fallen humanity. I believe in both heaven and hell breaking out on earth here and now. George would insist that the message could have been carried without the details of the torture. Maybe he's right. What do you think?

Comments from an atheist

Hey there. It took a while but I got an old college friend who, unfortunately, has since become an activist atheist, to read and comment on The Pilate Plot. I wanted his point of view and it has proved valuable to me. He will soon write a formal review on his blog (www.decrepitoldfool.com) . If you visit the blog - just be prepared to hear many unkind things said about your own faith and points of view. I may post parts of that review here when it appears. In the meantime I wanted to pass on some of the comments my friend shared with me and perhaps hear from you concerning them. Naturally, the more I can learn, the better job I can do with any future writing. I'll start with something small. So, here's one of my atheist friend's observations. 'Nathaniel Stone's dialect is as annoying as Jar Jar Binks and as irrelevant to the character.' Let me know what you think. Thanks.

For all those interested, Tesa Strasser gave The Pilate Plot a really nice review in the East Canton Press News, January 29, 2009. Thanks for the kind words Tesa! For those who take The Press News, check it out. For others, I'll post at least parts of what Tesa wrote on the website under reviews. I will also be speaking about the book and the writing process at the East Canton Rotary meeting Tuesday, February 3, at the Foltz Community Center of East Canton. The meeting starts at 7:30 AM. I will speak at 8:00. If any local friends want to get up that early and make the 7:30 time, I'll spring for breakfast! Rotary always serves a good breakfast.

The booksigning at the Morgan County library (110 S. Jefferson - Martinsville, IN) will take place on April 14, 4:00 -7:00 P.M. Books will be available for $15.00 or bring your previously purchased book for autograph. I'll look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks to anonymous for your comments. Yes, President Cooper's plans will be ongoing in the sequel. His plans are all geared of course toward world dominion, however, he used parts of the program to train Stearns for his mission to the past - also ongoing in the sequel. As to the torture, Yes, I also believe that all expressions of evil are foretastes of hell. The more blatant and horrific the evil, the nearer hell it is. Satan moves those who will cooperate to release hell here and now as much as possible (his kingdom come on earth as it is in - well, you get the idea!). Cooper is pretty cooperative.

For all those interested, I will have a book signing at the Main Branch of the Morgan County Library (Martinsville, IN) on April 14. I will post more details soon. For those who live near Martinsville it will be a good opportunity to get an autographed copy of The Pilate Plot at a substantially reduced price. Those who have already bought non-autographed copies may bring them for signing. I look forward to seeing many old friends and making new ones. There will be another signing in June at the East Canton (OH) branch of the Stark County Library. Again, I will post more details soon. Also for East Canton area residents, look for an interview in the Press News and News Leader in coming weeks. Talk to you soon. Terry