Posted on 12/27/2006 7:54:24 AM PST by Valin
What he said :)
"God is Dead"
Nietzsche
"Nietzsche is dead"
God
___________________
Once, just once, I would love to see a freeper use this 1970's era college philosophy department joke mindful of its context in Nietzsche's writings. This line ranks right up there with "My karma ran over your dogma".
Interesting read indeed. I do find the writer to be a little off the mark and a poor representation of the mind and intellect of God. In fact, I find it extremely presumptuous, almost Dawkins-esque egotism, to attribute ones own thoughts and writing to God, even when it is done in jest.
John Cornwell has written a few books which some FRs may not like.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-6368024-2099629?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=john+cornwell&Go.x=14&Go.y=14&Go=Go
So says Allah.
Richard Dawkins could learn something from the reaction of Ben Franklin to the publication of Thomas Paines "Age of Reason".
In a letter to Paine he wrote...
TO THOMAS PAINE. [Date uncertain.]
DEAR SIR,
I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence, that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion, that, though your reasonings are subtile and may prevail with some readers, you will not succeed so as to change the general sentiments of mankind on that subject, and the consequence of printing this piece will be, a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits against the wind, spits in his own face.
But, were you to succeed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? You yourself may find it easy to live a virtuous life, without the assistance afforded by religion; you having a clear perception of the advantages of virtue, and the disadvantages of vice, and possessing a strength of resolution sufficient to enable you to resist common temptations. But think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women, and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes, who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue, and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great point for its security.
And perhaps you are indebted to her originally, that is, to your religious education, for the habits of virtue upon which you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your excellent talents of reasoning upon a less hazardous subject, and thereby obtain a rank with our most distinguished authors. For among us it is not necessary, as among the Hottentots, that a youth, to be raised into the company of men, should prove his manhood by beating his mother.
I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person; whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification by the enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of regret and repentance. If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship, and therefore add no professions to it; but subscribe simply yours,
B. Franklin
In fact, Paine's views caused such vehement public opposition that he spent his last years in New York as an outcast in social ostracism and was buried in a farm field because no American cemetery would accept his remains.
Too many words. South Park destroyed Dawkins nonsense far more effectively than pages of argument.
Franklin was an interesting character. Although not overtly religious, even nominally agnostic as far as I can tell, he had interesting thoughts about God. He believed that on earth, we are given time to accumulate knowledge, wisdom, experience,understanding. He felt that it would be a cosmic injustice, if that is the right way to put it, to allow us to have this, then simply let it be destroyed at our death.He therefore reasoned that our souls must somehow continue in some form so as to not waste what was learned.
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