The gospel according to Baron d’Holbach:
“All children are atheists—they have no idea of God.”
The lunacy of this statement is obvious when applied to many ideas of inquiry that are accepted as true, but from a child’s perspective seem ridiculous. They have no idea of quantum physics, of calculus, of classic literature, of evolutionary biology, of philosophy, and of the higher realms of education and knowledge could go on almost ad nauseum. Not having any idea of something is no basis to conclude that they believe in its nonexistence.
Is it warranted to determine a belief system before a person can grapple with such ideas?
What of their knowledge of self?
Children (as well as adults) may not fully know or even grasp the idea of self and yet they still possess of working knowledge of its reality. The inability to express oneself doesn’t necessarily limit one’s idea of self in relation to others. Even babies have a rudimentary grasp of self and have been known to imitate what they see. They are aware in a limited sense of their own identity. They have self-awareness.
It would be far more accurate to say the following:
“All children are agnostic—they have no knowledge of God.”
Even then, this statement could be questioned with many lines of reasoning. Would a child naturally look at the complexity of the world and have an idea that Someone designed it? Its likely. Would a child naturally look at the relationship structure within a full family unit and consider a heavenly Father? Its possible. Would a child naturally look at this messed up world and long for a time when the evil is gone and things are as they ought to be? It is likely.
If I had no idea of the original quote by the baron, could I argue for the non-existence of such a quote? Perhaps I would even have warrant. In fact, in the time it has taken for me to write this blog a great number of children have been born with no idea of what I just wrote. Since this is the case, I can’t even be certain that what I just wrote I just wrote.
They have no idea, therefore the ideas must be suspect.
They have no idea of what a baron is, therefore his class-standing is suspect.
A baron is just another pauper to a child.
“All children are of equal standing—they have no idea of the Baron.”
