The American Spectator

Appleby| 3.12.09 @ 9:13AM

Our buses and trains here in Kanukistan carry the message "There PROBABLY is no god, so relax and enjoy yourself."

Yesterday I stood beneath this sign (the seats all being occupied by "special" young men playing with their binkies) praying my Rosary, as I do every day on the train because the trip is just the right length. An elderly woman nearby watched me for a while and then reached slowly into her purse, extracted her own Rosary, and she too began to pray.

So those signs have a use, after all. They inspire those of us who declare without hesitation, "There DEFINITELY IS a God. So relax and enjoy your life."

P.S. I find that most self-proclaimed atheists and agnostics are much like the average willful two-year-old who, enmeshed helplessly in her sweater, can be heard in a muffled scream, 'Let me do it myself!" God is always willing to let you do it yourself until like that two-year-old you are so tangled up that all you can do is yell. Then He comes and straightens you out and your head can come through into the light.

Trotter| 3.12.09 @ 9:22AM

"the re-emergence of particularly virulent forms of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in recent years -- from creationism retooled as Intelligent Design, to Jihadi violence, to state-enforced religious intolerance from Iran to Nigeria and Russia"

I must admit that I had to read that passage a few times to let it sink in. But, I'm still left stunned that Melville has equated creationism as essentially the same thing as Jihadi violence.

Naivete is one thing, but abject stupidity is another. Combining the two is frightening.

Leo| 3.12.09 @ 11:31AM

"There probably is no God," seems so lame. Whatever happened to "God is dead," or "there is no God." These were phrases often seen and heard in the sixtees.

ruth| 3.12.09 @ 3:24PM

New Humanism = nihilism; nothingness. They're so weak they can't even assert that God is dead. As my momma used to say, "They are ripe for the pickin'." Sharia Law will give them the structure they need.

IMKessel| 3.12.09 @ 5:19PM

The world lost a great man with his death. I was honored to call him friend.

I want to share with the faithful.

http://www.usao.edu/news/releases.php?id=165

http://www.yale.edu/divinity/news/090218_news_abelson.shtml

http://www.legacy.com/Omaha/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=124282777

Roy Saich| 3.13.09 @ 6:33AM

Roger Scruton I am sure knows better than to equate the Humanist ethical tradition with nothing other than pleaseure and he lets himself down by pretending otherwise.

Members of the general public can find out about the scope of Humanism by visiting the web site
www.humanists.110mb.com

nullifidian| 3.13.09 @ 10:16AM

@Leo, @Ruth:

What you don't seem to understand is that it's intellectually honest to posit "there's probably no god(s)", because there's no evidence of them.

Notwithstanding any expected claims of "intellectual elitism" (since when was thinking considered a bad thing?), at least it's honest. Can the same be said of theistic claims? More often than not: no.

Those that claim certitude that gods exist should provide evidence, and if they can't they then they shouldn't be surprised when people express sincere (and extreme) doubt.

ruth| 3.15.09 @ 12:11AM

I'm a bettin' girl and I figure the probability of God's existence is 50/50. So, someday, when I depart this Earthly Coil, the fact that I've lived a God fearing, faithful life means I win either way!

ruth| 3.15.09 @ 12:18AM

Nullifidian, no one is expressing surprise at your exteme doubt; in fact, we pity you. It's not my responsibility to provide evidence of God's existence; it's something I know in my heart, and it's called faith. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn what you believe or disbelieve, but God bless you anyway.

Konradius| 3.23.09 @ 6:27PM

Ruth, let me answer your pascal's wager:
If there's a 50/50 chance of god's existence*, then you have a 1/20000 chance of having the right religion. A maximum of 1 of the 10000 religions is right after all.
It seems that the bus slogan was especially true for you. There is no need to fear god (you labeled yourself god fearing). Simply keep your morals that you have towards people, and forget the useless rules towards your invisible 'friend'.

*50/50 is far too high a chance. I'd assign a 1/1000000 chance to a deistic god at best

John| 4.3.09 @ 10:33AM

Episode 27 of Books and Ideas is an interview with Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson and The Happiness Myth.

http://docartemis.com/blog/2009/03/28/podcast27-hecht/
WARNING: This e-mail is a suspected phishing scam.

Jennifer Michael Hecht: Doubt (Hampshire College 2007)
Hampshire College Science & Religion Lecture Series: Jennifer Michael Hecht - "Doubt - Where you'd least expect it". October 25, 2007)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=96457410329702788&ei=ZWbTSazjPI2grwLWioSCBQ&q=jennifer+michael+hecht

John| 4.15.09 @ 11:00AM

"A History of Doubt," with historian and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht. We'll look at the contribution of skeptics, cynics, and others who've followed the human impulse to challenge what is given and to doubt. Hecht has explored a rich tradition of doubt across the ages, as graceful life philosophies and even as a driving force in religious reform.

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/doubt/transcript.shtml

Jairo Mejia| 7.22.09 @ 4:52PM

Unbelievers are right in most of their thinking

You might be one of those who are abandoning Christianity; one for whom religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. You might be right, at least to some extent. Some traditional beliefs are not true, and the “God” of main line traditions simply does not exist. Most people don’t dare to confront their religious beliefs, and opt for the status quo, afraid of abandoning the “certainty” of their convictions. Most have become marginalized from the institutional Church, and try to find an environment in which they may fill a vacuum in their lives.

An illuminating book gives hope to you! The author accepted the challenge of finding the One who is recognized, even by Gnostics and atheists—the Existence. “Christianity Reformed From its Roots – A Life Centered in God” is perhaps a generation ahead of the current mentality, but you might find that there is something for you, too!

Bishop John Shelby Spong says of this book that it “rightly points out that those who seek to defend Christianity’s past are also killing Christianity’s future.” I am attaching two reviews of the book by eminent philosophers and thinkers that might give you an idea if this book is an insightful reading for you. You might look also at excerpts of the book at this link of Amazon.com.

Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University
Author - Retired Episcopal Priest
Carmel Valley, California

http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm
http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm

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