Timothy Larsen has written an article in the WSJ about secular intellectuals who have converted to Christianity.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124355313058264477.html

Just such a conversion has happened to A.N. Wilson, the 58-year-old British biographer, novelist and man of letters. He was once an observant Anglican and, later, a Roman Catholic, but in the 1980s he lost his faith and began skewering the supposed delusions of the faithful. His antifaith stance was expressed in books such as "God's Funeral" (1999) and "Jesus: A Life" (1992). A few weeks ago, however, Mr. Wilson confessed that Christ had risen indeed. He attributed this to "the confidence I have gained with age." He now says he believes that atheists are like "people who have no ear for music or who have never been in love."

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AN Wilson is the guy NT Wright argued against in What Saint Paul Really Said.

Here's Larsen's account of why such people convert:

Larsen

They gradually decided that their rationalistic method was too narrow: It could pick holes not only in Christianity but in any attempt to distinguish between right and wrong or to articulate the meaning of life. They came to realize that they could only tear down and thus were left intellectually with no habitable place to live. John Henry Gordon, who held the only full-time, salaried secularist lecturer position in England, came to believe that secularism was a creed of "mere negations."

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Thoughts? Has anyone here converted for these or similar reasons? How do the skeptics here react to the conversions Larsen discusses?

I remember reading about this a while ago. It's actually pretty crazy. I had read some of his absolutely poisonous works. He really was pissed about Christianity. He was the RIchard Dawkins before Richard Dawkins. We're happy to have him, though. I can't wait to read some of his stuff post-conversion. One of the most talented writers in the worlds.

Originally posted by Taran Wanderer

He now says he believes that atheists are like "people who have no ear for music or who have never been in love

He appears to have gone senile which would explain this.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

He appears to have gone senile which would explain this.

I'll thank you on Mr. Wilson's behalf for making his point.

Eh,

Flim, how many people in rational control of their minds, who have been atheist for a long time, can actually honestly say that atheists are loveless? Its a rather odd thing to say.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

He appears to have gone senile which would explain this.

I glanced at the Internet Infidel forums back when Flew became a deist, and the skeptics there were saying the same thing about him. That accusation is a risk when people convert at an older age, but it seems like too easy of a response, especially if conversion is the only evidence. Why not say instead that rational people can disagree or that nonrational reasons can become more dominant over time, such as the need for ultimate meaning in life? It seems like human complexity is shortchanged if the only two mental states we allow are rational and crazy.

I'm guessing you were just being flippant, but I wanted to take the chance to air those thoughts.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

He appears to have gone senile which would explain this.

Do you have any medical evidence to support this scurrilous accusation?

J

Originally posted by Jaecp

Eh,

Flim, how many people in rational control of their minds, who have been atheist for a long time, can actually honestly say that atheists are loveless? Its a rather odd thing to say.

It shouldn't even be part of a rational discussion. That's why Wilson seem to have a screw loose and why someone like Flim can try to back up this preposterous assertion. Flim is not acting rationally but as a zealot carried away with the emotionalism of getting a new recruit. As we know, Christians need more adherents to make themselves feel they are right.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

It shouldn't even be part of a rational discussion. That's why Wilson seem to have a screw loose and why someone like Flim can try to back up this preposterous assertion. Flim is not acting rationally but as a zealot carried away with the emotionalism of getting a new recruit. As we know, Christians need more adherents to make themselves feel they are right.

I"m sure the same things were thought of about Paul's conversion by his Pharisaical peers. It defies logic and reason!

The conversion doesn't.

The comments do.

Cmon Sean.

Before you troll Wilson for making seemingly odd statements about atheists, I suggest you familiarize yourself with his style of writing.

Originally posted by Taran Wanderer

I glanced at the Internet Infidel forums back when Flew became a deist, and the skeptics there were saying the same thing about him. That accusation is a risk when people convert at an older age, but it seems like too easy of a response, especially if conversion is the only evidence. Why not say instead that rational people can disagree or that nonrational reasons can become more dominant over time, such as the need for ultimate meaning in life? It seems like human complexity is shortchanged if the only two mental states we allow are rational and crazy.

I'm guessing you were just being flippant, but I wanted to take the chance to air those thoughts.

Yep, Taran. I was being flippant. You must admit, it's a rather outragous thing that he's supposed to have said about atheists. Just silly, realy.

Originally posted by Jnthn

Do you have any medical evidence to support this scurrilous accusation?

J

Scurrilous? Wow! Well, do you think Atheists are like people who can't really appreciate music and love properly?

From the article it looks like a feelings based change, not a determination of truth. No big surprise -- or intellectual treachery -- there. Personal feelings and preferences change in life. Old religions offer a lot in terms of culture, history, and social inclusiveness. If he's into that, good for him.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

Scurrilous? Wow! Well, do you think Atheists are like people who can't really appreciate music and love properly?

Yes...if you understand the analogy...which seems to have flown over your head. He isn't saying atheists don't appreciate music or have never truly been in love...He saying you obviously don't get it. It's like trying to understand why your life long friend is acting so strangely about the new girl in the office when you have never truly been head over heels in love.

It's like trying to explain to some guy who has only listened childrens songs the beauty of a symphony...

LJ

Originally posted by Littlejoe9763

Yes...if you understand the analogy...which seems to have flown over your head. He isn't saying atheists don't appreciate music or have never truly been in love...He saying you obviously don't get it. It's like trying to understand why your life long friend is acting so strangely about the new girl in the office when you have never truly been head over heels in love.

It's like trying to explain to some guy who has only listened childrens songs the beauty of a symphony...

LJ

Many atheists and agnostics (like myself) have been Christians and know the feelings very well, dummy.