Epigraph:
We will show them Our Signs in the universe and also among their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that the Quran is the truth. (Al Quran 41:53)
He is the Mighty, the Forgiving; Who created the seven heavens, one above the other. You will not see any flaw in what the Lord of Mercy creates. Look again! Can you see any flaw? Look again! And again! Your sight will turn back to you, weak and defeated. (Al Quran 67:2-4)
Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
Antony Flew (1923–2010) was a prominent British philosopher renowned for his advocacy of atheism. Over his extensive academic career, he argued against the existence of God and critiqued religious doctrines. However, in a surprising turn, Flew announced in 2004 that he had come to believe in a deistic conception of God, a shift he detailed in his 2007 book, There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind.
Early Advocacy of Atheism
Flew’s commitment to atheism was evident in his influential works, such as “Theology and Falsification” (1950), which challenged the meaningfulness of theological statements, and God and Philosophy (1966), where he argued that atheism should be the default position until evidence for God’s existence is presented. He maintained that the burden of proof lies on theists, coining the principle that “the presumption of atheism” should prevail in philosophical discourse.
Transition to Deism
In 2004, Flew announced a significant change in his beliefs, stating that he now accepted the existence of an intelligent designer of the universe. He clarified that his conception of God aligned with deism, particularly the Aristotelian notion of a divine watchmaker who initiates the universe but does not intervene in human affairs. Flew emphasized that his shift was a result of following the evidence, stating, “Since the beginning of my philosophical life I have followed the policy of Plato’s Socrates: We must follow the argument wherever it leads.”
Clarification on Christianity
Despite his acceptance of a deistic God, Flew consistently denied converting to Christianity or any revealed religion. He rejected doctrines such as divine revelation, the resurrection of Jesus, and the afterlife. In a 2005 interview with Christianity Today, Flew stated, “I am not thinking of any conversion to Christianity or any other religion.”
Publication and Controversy
In 2007, Flew co-authored There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind with Roy Abraham Varghese, elaborating on his journey from atheism to deism. The book sparked controversy, with some critics alleging that Flew’s advanced age and declining mental faculties raised questions about his authorship and the authenticity of his conversion. An article in The New York Times Magazine suggested that Varghese was the primary author. Flew, however, refuted these claims, asserting that the book accurately represented his views, though he acknowledged that Varghese had done most of the actual writing due to Flew’s age.
Conclusion
Antony Flew’s philosophical journey from staunch atheism to deism underscores his commitment to following evidence and reason. While he never embraced Christianity, his openness to revising his beliefs in light of new arguments and evidence highlights the dynamic nature of philosophical inquiry. Flew’s legacy continues to inspire discussions on the existence of God and the interplay between faith and reason.
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