It was a bit of a surprise to me how poor Bragg's prose style comes across. I am a great fan of his Radio 4 show 'In our time'. I see him as infinitely talented.
Bragg feels that 'The King James' version, which rings though his book like a trade brand; "take three verses from 'The King James Version', and repeat them 25 times.,." is the only version acknowledged as being of any value. Also he believes in the dominance of the English translation, "did Shakespeare help compose those psalms before he died in 1616?" I know that the bible has existed in numerous ancient texts from Armenia, to Egypt and Ethiopia with not a hint of English.
Bragg has no faith in Christianity, but notes that it has provided important 'continuity and substance' for our culture. The King James version has provide a common cultural heritage for many generations. Bragg feels that sadly it's era has passed, and his book is its epitaph. However he will not allow Richard Dawkin free reign to lay into the carcass, and would like to see it more reverently disposed of.
In the past the two books that were held as the authority over all in the English speaking world where 'The Book of Books' (The Bible), and the 'Book of Nature', or our experience of the world. For centurys the two were seen in complete harmony. This is now seen as a ridiculous assumption.
For me as a believer, I am left to square my argument with Bragg. Firstly, the argument of science versus faith falls flat for me. I see this as the comparison between the 'land' and 'sea'. Both exist, but saying one disproves the other in nonsense. I am not convinced by the 'God of the Gaps' assertion. Certain 'gaps' persist, for example life after death, and the nature of love.
Here are the conundrums that I feel are important to me.
Evolutionary theory reasons that human brain development was significantly facilitated by scheming duplicitous reproductive deceit and the selfish maximising of advantage. This implies that the 'good' creator works in mysterious ways. However, one can argue that this brain development occurred whilst species development pre-dated the rise of humanoids. There is no evidence for current evolution of humanity. people are not becoming smarter, or stronger. It is argued that the unique difference between humans and the rest of the natural world is the presence of a conscious, and the presence of morality. Has 'guilt' every been observed in the natural world? The story of the tree in Eden is the story that signifies this beginning. It also helps me understand why deceit, avarice and selfishness are ever present human experiences. Perhaps they are just under the skin (or cortex). Dawkin would banish sin and guilt. But it is easier said than done.
Bragg asserts that miracles are all to do with human imagination. For me the presence of miracles are significant because they indicate that our scientific knowledge is limited. This I understand is one of David Hume's central thesis. As Bragg says, lots of Dawkin's assumptions are based on scientific thought that may one day be discredited, like much human thought in the past. Let us remember this. For me, my prayers are crucial to my faith. If God does not appear to bring some resolution to serious issues about me, my faith is tested. This does not mean prayer is magic. It means I am asking for something meaningful to come out of the chaos I feel. I have a number of person friends who live in great suffering. I ask for their suffering to be relieved, but I want more, I want their suffering to be meaningful, not wasted. Perhaps, just as evolutionary theory implicates deceit in the development of the complex brain, I am looking for something similar in the pain I see about me.
I also agree with Bragg that the biblical stories fit into a much greater human whole. They are but one human experience, and must be seen in the context of all other human experiences, including the many we know nothing about. For me, one creator, supreme over all creation, is not limited by one book. It is argued also that it has existed for only a fraction of human existence. Other human experiences do reflect the essence of human meaning, (or lack of it). However, I experience the bible as of relevance to me, and note the same with fellow believers about me. It provides the framework for belief that is necessary to create security and stability, much the same as 'house rules' provided by a parent help nurture secure relationships. For me, this is 'the truth', in the same way that I respect the 'truth' provided by my family. The difference here is that my expectation of The Creator, is greater than it is for my parents.
The bible, as Bragg rightly points out, is famous for being on everyone side. It does not provide us with a neat 'sown up' world. In many places it deserves an 'x' rating. In other places it can not fail to stir up annoyance and confusion (is this deliberate?) We will still need to seek divine wisdom, invoke compassion, and stir up that grey matter.
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