As one who has "known" Stephen for some time (on the LISTSERVs of
course), I would not think his latest post would characterize him at all
this way (nor do I think you do -- you are just making a point. I hope.)
There are other explanations (better ones) than the one you chose -- I'll
let Stephen speak to those.
But you make a reasonable point, of course, if not about Stephen. How is
one to behave if he is a convinced atheist or agnostic, as, I assume,
Gouild, Dawkins, Julian Huxley (was) and Sagan (was)? Since I was one --
once -- myself, I think I can speak to that situation. I did not behave
as Stephen described -- but I did not behave either as a Christian ought
to do. To the extent I avoided lying & cheating and all that stuff it
was -- largely -- a pragmtic decision -- at one time I "cleverly" avoided
the payment of sales tax to the State of Ohio and felt no particular
guilt or remorse for so doing -- it was too easy to do and 0 chance of
being caught! (Two years later, having become a Christian, I made
restitution -- it was simply not possible to ignore! But that is another
story!)
But, by and large, I behaved ethically, as I assume the above mentioned
people do. For that seems to be the best (pragmatic) way to go through
life. That was taught as part of my professional education (physics) and
it made good sense.
That was over 30 years ago -- if I were to meet my 29 year old self, I
wonder if we'd have much in common anymore!
Stephen -- welcome back! Three months! My goodness. You must have been
everywhere!
Burgy