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Line 1: − ===Agnostic or atheist?=== − His own self characterization: − :"I never know whether I should say '[[Agnostic]]' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods."<ref> Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref> − − The evidence points to Bertrand Russell being a "[[Weak atheism|weak atheist]]" (Bertrand Russell wrote an essay entitled ''Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?'').<ref>http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html</ref> In 1927, Bertrand Russell wrote an essay entitled "''Why I am not a Christian''" which was based on a lecture Russell gave the same year.<ref>http://gregbahnsen.blogspot.com/2007/06/interlude-why-bertrand-russell-should.html</ref><ref>http://gregbahnsen.blogspot.com/2007/06/interlude-why-bertrand-russell-should.html</ref> − − Below are some works by [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] which show the inconsistencies and logical fallacies of Bertrand Russell's essay: − − *[http://gregbahnsen.blogspot.com/2007/06/interlude-why-bertrand-russell-should.html Critique of Bertrand Russell's essay "Why I am not a Christian"] by Dr. Greg Bahnsen − − *[http://www.berith.org/pdf/Why_Bertrand_Russell_Was_Not_A_Christian.pdf Why Bertrand Russell was not a Christian] by Rev. Ralph Allan Smith (1996) − − *[http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/10-bertrand-russell-and-christianity-part-1 Bertrand Russell and Christianity] by the Christian Courier − Line 54:
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[[Image:998086u.jpg|right|thumb]]
[[Image:998086u.jpg|right|thumb]]
'''Bertrand Russell,''' 3rd Earl Russell (1872–1970) was a 20th century [[philosopher]], [[mathematician]] and political activist and was awarded the [[Nobel Prize]] in Literature in 1950 for his writings.
'''Bertrand Russell,''' 3rd Earl Russell (1872–1970) was a 20th century [[philosopher]], [[mathematician]] and political activist and was awarded the [[Nobel Prize]] in Literature in 1950 for his writings.
Russell visited the [[Soviet Union]] and met [[Lenin]] in 1920. In a tract, ''The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism'', he wrote "I believe that [[Communism]] is necessary to the world, and I believe ... [[Bolshevik|Bolshevism]] deserves the gratitude and admiration of all the [[Progressivism|progressive]] part of mankind. But the method by which [[Moscow]] aims at establishing Communism is a pioneer method, rough and dangerous, too heroic to count the cost of the opposition it arouses. I do not believe that by this method a stable or desirable form of Communism can be established. Three issues seem to me possible from the present situation:
Russell visited the [[Soviet Union]] and met [[Lenin]] in 1920. In a tract, ''The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism'', he wrote "I believe that [[Communism]] is necessary to the world, and I believe ... [[Bolshevik|Bolshevism]] deserves the gratitude and admiration of all the [[Progressivism|progressive]] part of mankind. But the method by which [[Moscow]] aims at establishing Communism is a pioneer method, rough and dangerous, too heroic to count the cost of the opposition it arouses. I do not believe that by this method a stable or desirable form of Communism can be established. Three issues seem to me possible from the present situation:
Inquiry into Meaning and Truth (1962) <ref> http://www.nndb.com/people/954/000044822/ </ref>
Inquiry into Meaning and Truth (1962) <ref> http://www.nndb.com/people/954/000044822/ </ref>
===Agnostic or atheist?===
His own self characterization:
:"I never know whether I should say '[[Agnostic]]' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods."<ref> Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref>
The evidence points to Bertrand Russell being a "[[Weak atheism|weak atheist]]" (Bertrand Russell wrote an essay entitled ''Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?'').<ref>http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html</ref> In 1927, Bertrand Russell wrote an essay entitled "''Why I am not a Christian''" which was based on a lecture Russell gave the same year.<ref>http://gregbahnsen.blogspot.com/2007/06/interlude-why-bertrand-russell-should.html</ref><ref>http://gregbahnsen.blogspot.com/2007/06/interlude-why-bertrand-russell-should.html</ref>
Below are some works by [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] which show the inconsistencies and logical fallacies of Bertrand Russell's essay:
*[http://gregbahnsen.blogspot.com/2007/06/interlude-why-bertrand-russell-should.html Critique of Bertrand Russell's essay "Why I am not a Christian"] by Dr. Greg Bahnsen
*[http://www.berith.org/pdf/Why_Bertrand_Russell_Was_Not_A_Christian.pdf Why Bertrand Russell was not a Christian] by Rev. Ralph Allan Smith (1996)
*[http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/10-bertrand-russell-and-christianity-part-1 Bertrand Russell and Christianity] by the Christian Courier