COMMENTARY ON D. JAMES KENNEDY'S WHY I BELIEVE by Alex Matulich Winter/Spring 1995 This bo

COMMENTARY ON D. JAMES KENNEDY'S WHY I BELIEVE 

by Alex Matulich 

Winter/Spring 1995 

This book inspired me to embark on a long search for knowledge and truth. I studied books on 
history, theology, and the sciences, researching many things Dr. Kennedy considered and many 
other issues he ignored; I examined some of his references; and I engaged in lengthy electronic 
debates with several learned individuals. In this series of commentaries, I present some of the 
things I learned in my quest. As with the book's chapters, each successive commentary builds on 
the previous ones. Many of the chapter commentaries include a separate appendix. These 
appendices consist of supporting material not written by me. 

A word about my point of view: I am nonreligious, and I can be classified as "weak atheist" in the 
sense that my mind harbors no beliefs regarding deities; however, I personally do not reject 
out-of-hand everything spiritual. Therefore, an atheist might object to my attempt in chapter 1 at 
formulating a rationale for liking the Bible, or to my proposing reincarnation in chapter 5 as an 
alternative to Kennedy's Heaven/Hell argument. In the former case, I merely try to show how 
Kennedy could have made a more bulletproof argument without resorting to doubtful examples 
prophecy. In the latter case I simply discuss the plausibility of an alternative which Kennedy 
ignores, especially because the references he cites do mention it (and one actually advocates this 
alternative). 

A Christian, on the other hand, might object to my heathen's point of view. Even so, I believe that 
no honest Christian can object to my treatment of Dr. Kennedy and his book. 

Originally I wrote this commentary for my own benefit, and as a result, it may not be as "scholarly" 
as I'd like for general worldwide distribution; nevertheless I do cite many references and in some 
cases make suggestions for further reading. 

Before I begin with chapter 1, let me say that I loved the introduction to Why I Believe. D. James 
Kennedy said in a concise way things I have often tried to articulate in the past. Stand ready with 
reason for your beliefs. Examine the evidence on all sides, and hold fast to that which is good. This 
captures, in part, the essence of how I try to live my life! With this heartening advice in mind, I 
plunged into the book. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Page maintained by the Internet Infidels.

Email: infidel@freethought.tamu.edu
JL