This series is about the disappearance of something, religious faith. It's the story of what is often referred to as atheism, the history of the growing conviction that God doesn't exist.

Given the fact that so many recent history programs have all the resources of dramatic reconstruction, not to mention computer-generated animations, I should perhaps warn you that what you are not going to see in this program is anything that you might be tempted to think of as "Walking With Atheists". I will not be seen leaning over a balcony like this, watching René Descartes nibbling his quill while he struggles with the problem of mind-brain duality, and there will be no blurred, slow motion shots of people making leaps of faith or failing to do so. But first of all, because I think such dramatization is somewhat vulgar and they are inappropriate.

And in any case, I think such an approach supposes that from the vantage point of a time machine, I'd be able to look down fondly upon individuals who are clearly antecedents of people like myself, who had to go through the penalties, dangers and risks of atheism, whilst I could luxuriate in the achievements which they won unknowingly on my behalf. Now in looking backwards, we will not find people who are the counterparts of those of us today who enjoy the luxury of thoughtless disbelief.

All the same, while these programs may reveal how the doctrines and dogmas of religious faith have been called into question, I suppose that the doctrines and dogmas of modern television require me to present you with a trailer of what you have in store.

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?

Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able but not willing?

Then he is malevolent.

In making this series, I have inevitably discovered that the history of faith and doubt is a great deal more complicated than it might seem.

Is God both able and willing?

Then whence cometh evil?

Is he neither able nor willing?

Then why call him God?

Words & Phrases

atheism: (n.) Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods. 无神论

René Descartes: French mathematician and philosopher. Considered the father of analytic geometry, he formulated the Cartesian system of coordinates. His philosophy is based on the rationalistic premise “I think, therefore I am.” 笛卡尔

 

 

quill: (n.) A writing pen made from the shaft of a feather. 羽毛笔

antecedents: (n.) One's ancestors. 祖先

doctrine: (n.) A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma. 教条

dogma: (n.) A doctrine or a corpus of doctrines relating to matters such as morality and faith, set forth in an authoritative manner by a church. 【神学】教义

whence: (adv.) From where; from what place 从何处;从哪里

cometh: 【古语】=comes

"Walking With Atheists": Here alludes to the immensely popular Walking With Dinosaurs by the BBC, while poking fun at himself and his fellow atheists.