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'''David Ray Griffin''' (born [[1939]]) is a retired professor of [[philosophy of religion]] and [[theology]] and a proponent of [[9/11 conspiracy theories]] that implicate members of the United States government in the attacks.[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/07/AR2006090701669.html], The Disbelievers - 9/11 Conspiracy Theorists Are Building Their Case Against the Government From Ground Zero, [[Washington Post]]Along with [[John B. Cobb, Jr.]] he is considered a foundational thinker in [[Process theology]].
==Background==
Dr. David Ray Griffin is a longtime resident of [[Santa Barbara, California]], was a full-time academic from [[1973]] until April [[2004]], and is currently a co-director of the Center for Process Studies, and one of the foremost contemporary exponents of [[process theology]], founded on the [[process philosophy|process philosophies]] of [[Alfred North Whitehead]] and [[Charles Hartshorne]]. He is also a leading exponent of theories questioning the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush Administration]]'s account of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].
Griffin grew up in a small town in [[Oregon]], where he was an active participant in his [[Disciples of Christ]] church. After deciding to become a minister, Griffin entered [[Northwest Christian College]], but became disenchanted with the conservative-fundamentalist theology that was taught there. While getting his master’s degree in counseling from the [[University of Oregon]], Griffin attended a lecture series delivered by [[Paul Tillich]] at the [[Graduate Theological Union]] in [[Berkeley, California]]. At this time, Griffin made his decision to focus on philosophical theology. He eventually attended the [[Claremont Graduate University]], where Griffin received his Ph.D. in [[1970]].
As a student in Claremont, Griffin was initially interested in Eastern religions, particularly [[Vedanta]]. However, he started to become a process theologian while attending [[John B. Cobb]]’s seminar on Whitehead’s philosophy. According to Griffin, [[process theology]], as presented by Cobb, “provided a way between the old [[supernaturalism]], according to which [[God]] miraculously interrupted the normal causal processes now and then, and a view according to which God is something like a cosmic hydraulic jack, exerting the same pressure always and everywhere (which described rather aptly the position to which I had come)", (''Primordial Truth and Postmodern Theology''). While applying Whitehead’s thought to the traditional theological subjects of [[christology]] and [[theodicy]], Griffin found that process theology also provided a sound basis for addressing contemporary social and ecological issues.
After teaching theology and Eastern religions at the [[University of Dayton]], Griffin came to appreciate the distinctively [[postmodern]] aspects of Whitehead’s thought. In particular, Griffin found Whitehead’s nonsensationist [[epistemology]] and panexperientialist [[ontology]] immensely helpful in addressing the major problems of modern philosophy, including the problems of mind-body interaction, the interaction between free and determined things, the emergence of experience from nonexperiencing matter, and the emergence of time in the evolutionary process. In [[1973]], Griffin returned to Claremont to establish, with Cobb, the Center for Process Studies.
While on research leave in 1980-81 at [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] and Berkeley, the contrast between [[modernity]] and [[postmodernity]] became central to his work. Many of Griffin’s writings are devoted to developing postmodern proposals for overcoming the conflicts between religion and modern science. Griffin came to believe that much of the tension between religion and science was not only the result of reactionary supernaturalism, but also the mechanistic worldview associated with the rise of modern science in the seventeenth century. In [[1983]], Griffin started the Center for a Postmodern World in Santa Barbara, and became editor of the [[SUNY]] Series in Constructive Postmodern Philosophy between 1987 and [[2004]].
==September 11, 2001 attack theories==
Since his retirement, he has moved his focus from questions of philosophy and religion to one of politics and, specifically, questioning the 9/11 attacks. His recent work includes the book, ''[[The New Pearl Harbor|The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9-11]]'' ([[2004]]) and ''The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions'', books in which he argues there is evidence members of the [[United States]] government were behind the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], and ''Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action'' in which he summarizes some of what he believes is evidence for government complicity and reflects on its implications for Christians.
The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, publishers of Griffin's ''Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11'', noted that Griffin is a distinguished theologian, and praised the book’s religious content, but said, "The board believes the conspiracy theory is spurious and based on questionable research." [http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS01/61116033/1008/NEWS01] Presbyterian publishing board criticizes own book
[http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2006/06596.htm] PPC backs away from 9/11 conspiracy book
In ''The New Pearl Harbor'', Griffin supports the work of other theorists who assert that elements of the US government were behind the attacks on the [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]] and the [[World Trade Center]] in [[New York City]]. He purports to use his training in [[logic]] to analyze the [[validity]] of their arguments. Griffin states the overall thesis of his argument: ''There should be a well funded and thorough-going investigation of all the questions raised about the 9/11 attack.'' Griffin also appeared on [[C-SPAN]] that covered his talk, '9/11 and American Empire: How should religious people respond?'[http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050521102328420]
In an interview with Nick Welsh, ''Thinking Unthinkable Thoughts: Theologian Charges White House Complicity in 9/11 Attack'' [http://www.forestcouncil.org/tims_picks/view.php?id=32], Griffin analyzes charges that the US government sent airplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and these airplanes were only a cover for explosives that the US government had planted within the World Trade Center towers and 7 World Trade Center. Griffin also talked with [[Alex Jones (radio)|Alex Jones]]. [http://www.prisonplanet.tv/audio/200605griffin.htm]
The second edition of ''The New Pearl Harbor'' contains additional material on the [[Saudi Arabia]]n [[Aircraft hijacking|hijackers]], [[Sibel Edmonds]], his analysis of the official [[9/11 Commission]] set up by the US government, and his belief that the US Government deliberately changed its standard rules for analyzing [[military intelligence]] in order to allow the attacks.
''The New Pearl Harbor'' purports to identify unanswered questions concerning the 9/11 attacks, using a model of attempting to fit them first into a conspiracy/complicity theory, and then to a coincidence/incompetence theory. He further explores the contradictions inherent in each theory, concluding with the need for a full and independent investigation led by the press.
Critics of Griffin's thesis, such as [[Chip Berlet]], say that many of the claims in the book are refutable.[http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/dubious_claims.html] Griffin has rejected these criticisms [http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/Griffin1.html] and debated Berlet[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/26/150221].
Other reviewers like Mike Williams claim to have found various problems [http://mckinneysucks.blogspot.com/2002_07_01_mckinneysucks_archive.html#78639317][http://www.911myths.com/html/omissions_and_distortions.html].
In a review published in the magazine ''The Nation,'' former [[CIA]] agent [[Robert Baer]] dismissed the gist of Griffin's writings as one in a long line of [[conspiracy theories]] about national tragedies, but stated that the Bush administration had created a climate of secrecy and mistrust that helped generate such explanations ([http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040927/baer "Dangerous Liaisons," September 27, 2004)].
==Affiliations==
*[[Scholars for 9/11 Truth]].
*[http://www.ctr4process.org/ Center for Process Studies]
==Books==
*''Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition'', with [[John B. Cobb]], Philadelphia: Westminster Press, [[1976]], ISBN 0-664-24743-1
*''God, Power, and Evil: A Process Theodicy'', 1991
*''Parapsychology, Philosophy, and Spirituality: A Postmodern Exploration'', SUNY Press, 1997, ISBN 0-791-43315-3
*''[[The New Pearl Harbor|The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9-11]]'', Olive Branch Press, 2004, ISBN 1-566-56552-9
*''The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions'', Olive Branch Press, 2004, ISBN 1-566-56584-7
*''Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action'', Westminster John Knox Press, 2006, ISBN 0-664-23117-9
*''The American Empire and the Commonwealth of God: A Political, Economic, Religious Statement'', with John B. Cobb, Richard A. Falk and Catherine Keller, Westminster John Knox Press, 2006, ISBN 0-664-23009-1
*''9/11 and American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out, Vol. 1'', editor, with Peter Dale Scott, Olive Branch Press, 2006, ISBN 1-566-56659-2
*''Debunking 9/11 Debunking: An Answer to Popular Mechanics and Other Defenders of the Official Conspiracy Theory'', Arris Books, 2007, ISBN 1-566-56686-X
==See also==
* [[7 World Trade Center]]
* [[9/11 Truth Movement]]
* [[Collapse of the World Trade Center]]
* [[Controlled demolition hypothesis for the collapse of the World Trade Center]]
* [[Jim Hoffman]]
* [[Panentheism]]
* [[Presbyterian Publishing Corporation]]
* [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]
* [[Steven E. Jones]]
* [[War games in progress on September 11, 2001]]
==External links==
* [http://www.ctr4process.org/ Center for process studies]
* [http://story.malaysiasun.com/p.x/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/7cca827f00576d2a/ Presbyterian Church publishes 9/11 conspiracy theory]
* [http://www.ctr4process.org/publications/Biblio/Co-Directors/David%20Griffin/Articles.htm Bibliography of Published Articles]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/30/NSGB3HTBQ61.DTL& OUT LOUD: AN INSIDE JOB?]
* [http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/06.14.06/david-ray-griffin-0624.html Unquestioned Answers]
* [http://independent.com/news/news906.htm Independent.com] - 'Thinking Unthinkable Thoughts: Theologian Charges White House Complicity in 9/11 Attack', Nick Welsh (April 1, 2005)
* [http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2005-05-22-571pglie.php SeptemberEleventh.org] - 'The 9/11 Commission Report: A 571-Page Lie, David Ray Griffin, 9/11 Visibility Project (May 22, 2005)
* [http://911review.com/articles/griffin/nyc1.html The Destruction of the World Trade Center: Why the Official Account Cannot Be True]
* [http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050826125021191 Getting Agnostic About 9/11 - A society of nonbelievers questions the official version] LATimes, Friday, August 26, 2005.
* [http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/dubious_claims.html Review of ''The New Pearl Harbor'', by Chip Berlet].
* [http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/Griffin1.html Response to Chip Berlet's Review of ''The New Pearl Harbor'',]David Ray Griffin, May 1, 2004.
* [http://www.cst.edu/academic_resources/retired_faculty.php Claremont School of Theology retired faculty.]
* [http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guests/1002.html Bio at coast to coast am]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8809857201332294468 David Ray Griffin's testimony] at the Congressional Black Caucus, Annual Legislative Conference 2005 (September 21-24, Washington Convention)
* [http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/9/12/94528.shtml Is American Democracy Too Feeble To Deal With 9/11?]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-275577066688213413 9/11 The Myth and the Reality: Dr. David Ray Griffin] - Two speeches given by philosopher and theologist Dr. David Ray Griffin at The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco (4/3/06) and at The Grand Lake Theater in Oakland (3/30/06).
[[Category: General Reference]]
==Background==
Dr. David Ray Griffin is a longtime resident of [[Santa Barbara, California]], was a full-time academic from [[1973]] until April [[2004]], and is currently a co-director of the Center for Process Studies, and one of the foremost contemporary exponents of [[process theology]], founded on the [[process philosophy|process philosophies]] of [[Alfred North Whitehead]] and [[Charles Hartshorne]]. He is also a leading exponent of theories questioning the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush Administration]]'s account of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].
Griffin grew up in a small town in [[Oregon]], where he was an active participant in his [[Disciples of Christ]] church. After deciding to become a minister, Griffin entered [[Northwest Christian College]], but became disenchanted with the conservative-fundamentalist theology that was taught there. While getting his master’s degree in counseling from the [[University of Oregon]], Griffin attended a lecture series delivered by [[Paul Tillich]] at the [[Graduate Theological Union]] in [[Berkeley, California]]. At this time, Griffin made his decision to focus on philosophical theology. He eventually attended the [[Claremont Graduate University]], where Griffin received his Ph.D. in [[1970]].
As a student in Claremont, Griffin was initially interested in Eastern religions, particularly [[Vedanta]]. However, he started to become a process theologian while attending [[John B. Cobb]]’s seminar on Whitehead’s philosophy. According to Griffin, [[process theology]], as presented by Cobb, “provided a way between the old [[supernaturalism]], according to which [[God]] miraculously interrupted the normal causal processes now and then, and a view according to which God is something like a cosmic hydraulic jack, exerting the same pressure always and everywhere (which described rather aptly the position to which I had come)", (''Primordial Truth and Postmodern Theology''). While applying Whitehead’s thought to the traditional theological subjects of [[christology]] and [[theodicy]], Griffin found that process theology also provided a sound basis for addressing contemporary social and ecological issues.
After teaching theology and Eastern religions at the [[University of Dayton]], Griffin came to appreciate the distinctively [[postmodern]] aspects of Whitehead’s thought. In particular, Griffin found Whitehead’s nonsensationist [[epistemology]] and panexperientialist [[ontology]] immensely helpful in addressing the major problems of modern philosophy, including the problems of mind-body interaction, the interaction between free and determined things, the emergence of experience from nonexperiencing matter, and the emergence of time in the evolutionary process. In [[1973]], Griffin returned to Claremont to establish, with Cobb, the Center for Process Studies.
While on research leave in 1980-81 at [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]] and Berkeley, the contrast between [[modernity]] and [[postmodernity]] became central to his work. Many of Griffin’s writings are devoted to developing postmodern proposals for overcoming the conflicts between religion and modern science. Griffin came to believe that much of the tension between religion and science was not only the result of reactionary supernaturalism, but also the mechanistic worldview associated with the rise of modern science in the seventeenth century. In [[1983]], Griffin started the Center for a Postmodern World in Santa Barbara, and became editor of the [[SUNY]] Series in Constructive Postmodern Philosophy between 1987 and [[2004]].
==September 11, 2001 attack theories==
Since his retirement, he has moved his focus from questions of philosophy and religion to one of politics and, specifically, questioning the 9/11 attacks. His recent work includes the book, ''[[The New Pearl Harbor|The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9-11]]'' ([[2004]]) and ''The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions'', books in which he argues there is evidence members of the [[United States]] government were behind the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], and ''Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action'' in which he summarizes some of what he believes is evidence for government complicity and reflects on its implications for Christians.
The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, publishers of Griffin's ''Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11'', noted that Griffin is a distinguished theologian, and praised the book’s religious content, but said, "The board believes the conspiracy theory is spurious and based on questionable research." [http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS01/61116033/1008/NEWS01] Presbyterian publishing board criticizes own book
[http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2006/06596.htm] PPC backs away from 9/11 conspiracy book
In ''The New Pearl Harbor'', Griffin supports the work of other theorists who assert that elements of the US government were behind the attacks on the [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]] and the [[World Trade Center]] in [[New York City]]. He purports to use his training in [[logic]] to analyze the [[validity]] of their arguments. Griffin states the overall thesis of his argument: ''There should be a well funded and thorough-going investigation of all the questions raised about the 9/11 attack.'' Griffin also appeared on [[C-SPAN]] that covered his talk, '9/11 and American Empire: How should religious people respond?'[http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050521102328420]
In an interview with Nick Welsh, ''Thinking Unthinkable Thoughts: Theologian Charges White House Complicity in 9/11 Attack'' [http://www.forestcouncil.org/tims_picks/view.php?id=32], Griffin analyzes charges that the US government sent airplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and these airplanes were only a cover for explosives that the US government had planted within the World Trade Center towers and 7 World Trade Center. Griffin also talked with [[Alex Jones (radio)|Alex Jones]]. [http://www.prisonplanet.tv/audio/200605griffin.htm]
The second edition of ''The New Pearl Harbor'' contains additional material on the [[Saudi Arabia]]n [[Aircraft hijacking|hijackers]], [[Sibel Edmonds]], his analysis of the official [[9/11 Commission]] set up by the US government, and his belief that the US Government deliberately changed its standard rules for analyzing [[military intelligence]] in order to allow the attacks.
''The New Pearl Harbor'' purports to identify unanswered questions concerning the 9/11 attacks, using a model of attempting to fit them first into a conspiracy/complicity theory, and then to a coincidence/incompetence theory. He further explores the contradictions inherent in each theory, concluding with the need for a full and independent investigation led by the press.
Critics of Griffin's thesis, such as [[Chip Berlet]], say that many of the claims in the book are refutable.[http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/dubious_claims.html] Griffin has rejected these criticisms [http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/Griffin1.html] and debated Berlet[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/26/150221].
Other reviewers like Mike Williams claim to have found various problems [http://mckinneysucks.blogspot.com/2002_07_01_mckinneysucks_archive.html#78639317][http://www.911myths.com/html/omissions_and_distortions.html].
In a review published in the magazine ''The Nation,'' former [[CIA]] agent [[Robert Baer]] dismissed the gist of Griffin's writings as one in a long line of [[conspiracy theories]] about national tragedies, but stated that the Bush administration had created a climate of secrecy and mistrust that helped generate such explanations ([http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040927/baer "Dangerous Liaisons," September 27, 2004)].
==Affiliations==
*[[Scholars for 9/11 Truth]].
*[http://www.ctr4process.org/ Center for Process Studies]
==Books==
*''Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition'', with [[John B. Cobb]], Philadelphia: Westminster Press, [[1976]], ISBN 0-664-24743-1
*''God, Power, and Evil: A Process Theodicy'', 1991
*''Parapsychology, Philosophy, and Spirituality: A Postmodern Exploration'', SUNY Press, 1997, ISBN 0-791-43315-3
*''[[The New Pearl Harbor|The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9-11]]'', Olive Branch Press, 2004, ISBN 1-566-56552-9
*''The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions'', Olive Branch Press, 2004, ISBN 1-566-56584-7
*''Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action'', Westminster John Knox Press, 2006, ISBN 0-664-23117-9
*''The American Empire and the Commonwealth of God: A Political, Economic, Religious Statement'', with John B. Cobb, Richard A. Falk and Catherine Keller, Westminster John Knox Press, 2006, ISBN 0-664-23009-1
*''9/11 and American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out, Vol. 1'', editor, with Peter Dale Scott, Olive Branch Press, 2006, ISBN 1-566-56659-2
*''Debunking 9/11 Debunking: An Answer to Popular Mechanics and Other Defenders of the Official Conspiracy Theory'', Arris Books, 2007, ISBN 1-566-56686-X
==See also==
* [[7 World Trade Center]]
* [[9/11 Truth Movement]]
* [[Collapse of the World Trade Center]]
* [[Controlled demolition hypothesis for the collapse of the World Trade Center]]
* [[Jim Hoffman]]
* [[Panentheism]]
* [[Presbyterian Publishing Corporation]]
* [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]
* [[Steven E. Jones]]
* [[War games in progress on September 11, 2001]]
==External links==
* [http://www.ctr4process.org/ Center for process studies]
* [http://story.malaysiasun.com/p.x/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/7cca827f00576d2a/ Presbyterian Church publishes 9/11 conspiracy theory]
* [http://www.ctr4process.org/publications/Biblio/Co-Directors/David%20Griffin/Articles.htm Bibliography of Published Articles]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/30/NSGB3HTBQ61.DTL& OUT LOUD: AN INSIDE JOB?]
* [http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/06.14.06/david-ray-griffin-0624.html Unquestioned Answers]
* [http://independent.com/news/news906.htm Independent.com] - 'Thinking Unthinkable Thoughts: Theologian Charges White House Complicity in 9/11 Attack', Nick Welsh (April 1, 2005)
* [http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2005-05-22-571pglie.php SeptemberEleventh.org] - 'The 9/11 Commission Report: A 571-Page Lie, David Ray Griffin, 9/11 Visibility Project (May 22, 2005)
* [http://911review.com/articles/griffin/nyc1.html The Destruction of the World Trade Center: Why the Official Account Cannot Be True]
* [http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050826125021191 Getting Agnostic About 9/11 - A society of nonbelievers questions the official version] LATimes, Friday, August 26, 2005.
* [http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/dubious_claims.html Review of ''The New Pearl Harbor'', by Chip Berlet].
* [http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/Post911/Griffin1.html Response to Chip Berlet's Review of ''The New Pearl Harbor'',]David Ray Griffin, May 1, 2004.
* [http://www.cst.edu/academic_resources/retired_faculty.php Claremont School of Theology retired faculty.]
* [http://www.coasttocoastam.com/guests/1002.html Bio at coast to coast am]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8809857201332294468 David Ray Griffin's testimony] at the Congressional Black Caucus, Annual Legislative Conference 2005 (September 21-24, Washington Convention)
* [http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/9/12/94528.shtml Is American Democracy Too Feeble To Deal With 9/11?]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-275577066688213413 9/11 The Myth and the Reality: Dr. David Ray Griffin] - Two speeches given by philosopher and theologist Dr. David Ray Griffin at The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco (4/3/06) and at The Grand Lake Theater in Oakland (3/30/06).
[[Category: General Reference]]
