We are frequently told* that Dawkins, Harris et al are at fault for critiquing a crude and simplistic view of religion. Most Christians, we are assured, have far more sophisticated beliefs which “fundamentalist atheists” don’t understand. But then what are we to make of Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, who appears to believe in a literal Noachian flood:
A few fixed points might provide some light. We know that enormous climate changes have occurred in world history, e.g. the Ice Ages and Noah’s flood, where human causation could only be negligible.
I suppose that he could simply have been carried away by his passion over the subject of his editorial – global warming. After all, he had earlier said:
In the past pagans sacrificed animals and even humans in vain attempts to placate capricious and cruel gods. Today they demand a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Maybe he gets it from his boss…..
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* Certainly I am frequently told, in comments on this blog!