Greg Epstein, a well-known atheist and author of the book “Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe” was unanimously elected the new president of the Harvard Chaplains Organization.
USA – Harvard (09/16/2021 9:20 AM, Gaudium Press) Greg Epstein has been Harvard’s chaplain since 2005, but last month, he was unanimously elected president of the chaplains. A singular decision when you consider that he declares himself an atheist and is notorious for his reinterpretation of atheism.
Epstein tries not to focus on an intellectual rejection of God, but he does lean on the positives of Humanism. Epstein’s work inspired students and grew the first university center for non-believers.
“God is not the answer, we are the answer”
The election come under criticism since, by definition, a chaplain is responsible for giving pastoral care to people and helping them spiritually. But Epstein aims to “maximize human flourishing,” and his way to achieve this is by rejecting the supernatural: “We don’t look to God for answers, we are each other’s answers,” he affirms.
Christian Humanism, however, insists that faith is not a hindrance but a basis and a complement to the lives of individuals. Christianity has provided for human flourishing by highlighting eternal realities. Commenting on the decision, Bishop Robert Barron stated, “If you don’t believe in God, you are not a chaplain.” (FM)
With information from National Catholic Register.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
