withallyourmind.net

As I attempted to catch up on the last week’s posts by my favoite bloggers, I came across this surprising one in which John Mark Reynolds attempts to defend the (nearly) indefensible. The (nearly) indefensible, in this case, is the sacrilege offered by scientist/religious skeptic P.Z. Myers:

I have an idea. Can anyone out there score me some consecrated communion wafers? There’s no way I can personally get them — my local churches have stakes prepared for me, I’m sure — but if any of you would be willing to do what it takes to get me some, or even one, and mail it to me, I’ll show you sacrilege, gladly, and with much fanfare. . .

These remarks (and others) have produced much angry response. Reynolds, first of all explains why some are rightfully upset about Myers’ words. After this, however, Reynolds offers some great counsel concerning what a Christian’s response to such “blasphemy” should be.

First, he advises, one should not confuse the actions of one skeptic with that of most skeptics. Not all, in fact, not many, skeptics share his views, or would condone his actions.

Second,…

if P.Z. Myers does blaspheme, then it will be a sad act of theatrical atheism doing more harm to his own cause than to Christianity. Such antics embarrass the vast majority of nonbelievers who are good neighbors in our pluralistic, but majority Christian society.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, Reynolds reminds us that Christians should examine their own attitudes and actions:

Surely it is no better, and perhaps worse, when we piously kneel to receive Christ’s body only to slander our neighbor over the after church coffee? Myers blasphemes a God he does not know, but we fail in our duty to a God we do know.
Thereby, the tortured body of Christ suffers…

Professor Myers harms what he does not understand, but many of us have harmed ourselves and others, and thus Jesus Christ, while knowing what we are doing. Sadly, it will not likely be Professor Myers who causes the suffering Son of God the most pain this year.

Lastly, he stresses that one should be allowed to express his private opinions without fearing for his job at as a teacher at a public university. In Reynolds’ words:

Myers is invincibly ignorant of sophisticated philosophy or theology, but is evidently a fine scientist and teacher…

We may protest, argue, and defend our ideas. But history shows that our ideas will prosper best and that our churches are most safe in a society where Professor Myers can say what he wishes.