Re: [Fwd: methodological naturalism (long)]
George Murphy (gmurphy@raex.com)
Sat, 28 Mar 1998 20:28:06 -0500William B. Provine wrote:
.............................
> The definition of "deism" in Newton's day (and who can believe that Newton was
> a deist, or consistent in following MN) meant one who believed in nature whose
> divinity could be understood by faith alone. The theist could see unmistakeable
> handiwork of God in nature not by faith alone, but by deduction from
> intelligently designed phenomena. Newton denied being a deist on many grounds,
> but particularly on the adaptations of biological organisms being obvious signs
> of God. Howard, you would be judged a deist by those who accused Newton of
> deism. So would George Murphy, Keith Miller and Allan Harvey. ..................................
An interesting point. Perhaps it's comparable with the fact
that the early Christians were often accused of atheism because they did
not believe in the common sense gods & goddesses of the Roman Empire.
George L. Murphy
gmurphy@imperium.net
http://www.imperium.net/~gmurphy