I still am not what you would call a believer... although I understand the purpose of belief (e.g. why would you study calculus unless you believed it worked) I've just never had the personality/ mentality of faith. I came to an understanding of religion.
I was a hobby student of etymology, history, religion/ symbolism (of all varieties, mostly to use as source material for science fiction writing I was working on) and somewhere around the time before Trump's election I had a fascinating epiphany where my mind was able to thread all of these seemingly disparate knowledges into one piece of fabric... ultimately it's a transcendence from trivial knowledge to principalaic knowledge.
Prior to which, the most fascinating non- fiction ideas I had known were mostly theoretical physics... none of which compares to higher concepts of deity... al of which seem to have been better known somewhere at latest around the 14th century
I havent really listened to him since he died. It's nice going back and listening to him. This I'd the clip I thought would resonate the best with this forum.
Really you have to narrow down specifically what he's talking about to begin with. Most US atheists are Christian & that can potentially be handled in one verse (excuse me, I've been up for 24+h & drinking so I'm not going to legit look anything up, this is from memory) but gospel of Thomas (fairly recognized as the 5th gospel, not everyone agrees with it mostly because of the 114th passage) but essentially:
Do not listen to leaders who tell you the kingdom is in the sky for the birds shall precede you. (Ditto) for the sea, for the fish shall precede you, but rather the kingdom is within and without you... while thing channels a famous passage in Matthew saying God is in your midst.
Now, if you want to go to Judaism (frankly this applies to the other abrahamic religions also), god is separate from the spirit of god. The spirit of god is named ruakh which means breath/ air... that's where some skydaddy bs might come into play (if he pressed you'd have to explain elemental symbolism)... but that's not "god " as atheists perceive him, just the spirit of whom. I could go on to other religions, not all could escape, but he doesn't seem to be talking about ouranus (for example). As far as dictatorial, you'd have to probe a bit, but i doubt he would consider something like gravity or time dictatorial and it would be checkmate at that point
I know a lot of you may disagreement with his criticism of all religions, but his whit is sorely missed.
I remember Hitchens being my favorite when I was an atheist... this kind of makes me want to rewatch some of his stuff with fresh eyes
Also why aren't you an atheist anymore? Seems odd to go from unbelieving to believing in an ancient belief. Honest question.
I still am not what you would call a believer... although I understand the purpose of belief (e.g. why would you study calculus unless you believed it worked) I've just never had the personality/ mentality of faith. I came to an understanding of religion.
I was a hobby student of etymology, history, religion/ symbolism (of all varieties, mostly to use as source material for science fiction writing I was working on) and somewhere around the time before Trump's election I had a fascinating epiphany where my mind was able to thread all of these seemingly disparate knowledges into one piece of fabric... ultimately it's a transcendence from trivial knowledge to principalaic knowledge.
Prior to which, the most fascinating non- fiction ideas I had known were mostly theoretical physics... none of which compares to higher concepts of deity... al of which seem to have been better known somewhere at latest around the 14th century
I havent really listened to him since he died. It's nice going back and listening to him. This I'd the clip I thought would resonate the best with this forum.
I'm in the middle of listening and despite my arguments, I'd accept that he has evidence for what he's saying (no such thing as a religion of peace)
Biggest let down for me, from my memory, of his arguments was "magic sky fairy/ dictator"... i'd absolutely destroy him in that argument
I’m curious, what would you respond with? I’m interested because this is an ongoing conversation with someone I know. Thanks.
Really you have to narrow down specifically what he's talking about to begin with. Most US atheists are Christian & that can potentially be handled in one verse (excuse me, I've been up for 24+h & drinking so I'm not going to legit look anything up, this is from memory) but gospel of Thomas (fairly recognized as the 5th gospel, not everyone agrees with it mostly because of the 114th passage) but essentially:
Do not listen to leaders who tell you the kingdom is in the sky for the birds shall precede you. (Ditto) for the sea, for the fish shall precede you, but rather the kingdom is within and without you... while thing channels a famous passage in Matthew saying God is in your midst.
Now, if you want to go to Judaism (frankly this applies to the other abrahamic religions also), god is separate from the spirit of god. The spirit of god is named ruakh which means breath/ air... that's where some skydaddy bs might come into play (if he pressed you'd have to explain elemental symbolism)... but that's not "god " as atheists perceive him, just the spirit of whom. I could go on to other religions, not all could escape, but he doesn't seem to be talking about ouranus (for example). As far as dictatorial, you'd have to probe a bit, but i doubt he would consider something like gravity or time dictatorial and it would be checkmate at that point