In his book Flesh and Machines, MIT professor Rodney Brooks writes that a human being is nothing but a machine—or what he calls a "big bag of skin full of biomolecules" interacting by the laws of physics and chemistry. In ordinary life, of course, it is difficult to actually see people that way. But, he says, "When I look at my children, I can, when I force myself … see that they are machines."
Is that how he treats them, though? Brooks admits, "That is not how I treat them … I interact with them on an entirely different level. They have my unconditional love, the furthest one might be able to get from rational analysis."
Sadly, Brooks' love for his children has no basis within his worldview. It sticks out of his box. How does he reconcile such a heart-wrenching cognitive dissonance? He doesn't. Brooks ends by saying, "I maintain two sets of inconsistent beliefs." He has no defense. This is the tragedy of the postmodern age. The things that matter most in life, that are necessary for a humane society—ideals like moral freedom, human dignity, even loving our own children—have been reduced to nothing but useful fictions.
Possible Preaching Angles: This illustration not only shows the folly of atheism, it also reveals the need for a worldview that compels us to show true compassion to others, treating them with dignity as creatures made in God's image, not just machines.
