A "Dog in the Manger" is someone who tries to prevent another person from having or doing something which he himself does not want or cannot use. "He is a real dog in the manger - he doesn't enjoy faith in God and he is determined no one else should" The image is of a dog which lies in the hay-rack of a cow-shed, thus preventing the cattle from eating the hay that he himself cannot enjoy.
That archetypal and ill-tempered dog-in-the-manger Richard Dawkins has thrown his weight behind a bizarre campaign to place "There is Probably no God" posters on London buses. Dawkins remarked:
"This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion."
However the Methodist Church said it thanked Professor Dawkins for encouraging a "continued interest in God".
Spirituality and discipleship officer Rev Jenny Ellis said: "This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life."
She added: "Christianity is for people who aren't afraid to think about life and meaning." Ouch!
Christianity 1 - Dawkins nil
1 comment:
See now I am thinking that is not quite the reaction that Dawkins was after. I am inclined to agree that these slogans are thought provoking though, which I am sure was not on Dawkin's mind when he came up with the idea.
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