popsi:
Item by item.
1. Hawkins was not a philosopher. Science does not prove the existence or non-existence of G-d. Science only studies the physical world, and cannot tell you a single solitary thing about a spiritual world. There are studies that absolutely prove that prayer helps healing in the medical world. However, all that science can say about that is that it observes this phenomenon. Zero explanation (at least anything useful) as to how and why. He was outside of his domain in addressing the origin of the world. In fact, so would we be. We do not know that the Hashem created the world. We are maaminim, and we believe the Torah as coming directly from Hashem at Har Sinai. We were there in neshomoh only, and our physical ears and memory do not access that. To the degree we believe, we feel we know, and that is our mitzvah. In fact, the Rambam guides us to enhance emunoh by observing the wonders of the world, not otherwise explainable in a truly rational sense by the “scientific” approach. Science advances theories, but cannot prove any form of causality to determine anything about the origin of the world. His statements on that are outside of his domain.
2. I explain morality the way a court once explained what constitutes schmutz. “You know it when you see it.” You are correct that morality is not necessarily determined by religion. The “religion” of Islam advocates murder, terror, dishonesty, etc. Can anyone in their right mind call that moral? One can take some pretty good guesses at the universal tenets of morality. Religion becomes the context into which these moral values fit. No, it is not determined by popular vote. I believe that if we did not have a higher source to guide us about moral values, we would likely construct them on our own, and follow the most banal and primitive drives we possess. We would see homo sapiens being glorified chimpanzees, not the human that was created in Tzelem Elokim.
3. Visiting Israel and working with Israelis does not indicate or constitute love or even tolerance of Jews. He did those things for his own needs. As long as he was being accepted to make those visits and work together, he did so. We know more about Israel’s acceptance of him that his acceptance of Israel.
4. Not sure the relevance of Einstein’s connection with religion. Born a Jew, raised a Jew, died a Jew. No, he was not observant, and his parents weren’t either. His Jewish education was very limited, and he lacked the experience of someone transmitting Torah MiSinai as is heralded in Pirkei Avos. He refused to disavow a recognition of G-d, though organized religion was not important to him. I don’t see a connection to Hawkins. Most atheists reach their conclusion, and modify the input of information to accommodate it. I won’t direct anyone to review atheistic writings. But I walked away from several casual debates wondering how they could buy into their positions with such weak arguments. Easy if you shoot the arrow and then paint the target afterward.