"Godless America"

If you get a chance, listen to this.

It's a little more than an hour long, but very interesting and even entertaining.

But remember - I'm posting this in debate for a reason. ;)

The last act is Julia Sweeney's monologue "letting go of God" (in case anyone has heard of it).

If you do listen, please post reactions/opinions here.

:)

http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/driveway/archive/2005/jul/050705.html

"Letting Go of God"....? Uhh....if it's about not believing in God, then I don't know I want to listen...

It's an NPR program, ReiRei.

If I had a working sound card on the home puter, I'd give it a listen... but only at work.
~phos

What's NPR?

What's NPR?

National Public Radio

do you really think it's so wrong to not believe in God?

National Public Radio

do you really think it's so wrong to not believe in God?

Well..I must admit it is a little sad..to me anyways...because I think God is a wonderful friend. But I don't put down people who don't believe in God, my best friend was an athiest and I still loved him just the same.

I just don't want to listen to someone trying to convence me there isn't a God...you know? Just like I don't want to push anybody into believing in God...it's their choice. But I still like to tell my story.

Yeah, I think "letting go of god" is the part that might make some people the most uncomfortable. But that's only one part of it.

The rest of it is also controversial, but it's more about the separation of church and state ("Godless America").

Well..I must admit it is a little sad..to me anyways...because I think God is a wonderful friend. But I don't put down people who don't believe in God, my best friend was an athiest and I still loved him just the same.

I just don't want to listen to someone trying to convence me there isn't a God...you know? Just like I don't want to push anybody into believing in God...it's their choice. But I still like to tell my story.

But can you prove there's a god? I mean actually prove, not "there's a bible" or "I feel it".

But can you prove there's a god? I mean actually prove, not "there's a bible" or "I feel it".

The only proof I have is the stories I have of my life...just how everything fell into place so perfectly...and I how I felt comfert when there was no one around and I was scared that I was alone for the first time in my life.

But can you prove there's a god? I mean actually prove, not "there's a bible" or "I feel it".

Believing in God isn't a matter or proof. It's a matter of faith.
It's like oxygen and breathing....you can't see it but you know it's there because you're alive and breathing.

Some people want and need proof....others do not.

Believing in God isn't a matter or proof. It's a matter of faith.
It's like oxygen and breathing....you can't see it but you know it's there because you're alive and breathing.

Some people want and need proof....others do not.


Wonderful answer! :D

... but it's more about the separation of church and state ("Godless America").

America is far from being 'godless' - as the god of america has become 1) the state itself, 2) technology / science 3) man.

I tend to think #1 is america's god myself, though 2 & 3 hold a very close second.

Naturally, I am speaking in generalities. :eek:

Julia Sweeney's bit was very funny.

The only proof I have is the stories I have of my life...just how everything fell into place so perfectly...and I how I felt comfert when there was no one around and I was scared that I was alone for the first time in my life.

Heh, you've reinforced what I think, and that is people just HAVE to have something to believe in. So to get comfort for that they believe in something that everyone else tells them exists.

Heh, you've reinforced what I think, and that is people just HAVE to have something to believe in. So to get comfort for that they believe in something that everyone else tells them exists.

It's not just that...I KNOW it..look at what Trish said

It's not just that...I KNOW it..look at what Trish said

See my statement above.

See my statement above.

I did HAVE to believe in ANYTHING. I known this since I was 3 years old...my parents didn't push me into anything, I just KNEW. I never went to church when I was little...but when I was 3 I asked Jesus into my heart.

See my statement above.

You're entirely entitled to think and believe what you do....BUT don't mock someone who chooses to have faith. Don't stoop to be condescending...that's a weak way to try to debate something....

I'm sorry, but that made me LOL, and I'm in a really bad mood. At three I swore santa clause was real.

You're entirely entitled to think and believe what you do....BUT don't mock someone who chooses to have faith. Don't stoop to be condescending...that's a weak way to try to debate something....

There's never a debate with someone that believes in the tooth fairy. They're arguement is always "I feel jesus in my heart". How can you debate that?

You're entirely entitled to think and believe what you do....BUT don't mock someone who chooses to have faith. Don't stoop to be condescending...that's a weak way to try to debate something....


Thank you Trish *huggles*

There's never a debate with someone that believes in the tooth fairy. They're arguement is always "I feel jesus in my heart". How can you debate that?


That's totally uncall for...I'm not mocking you for anything but you're mocking me because of what I believe. You asked the question and I'm giving you the answer. I'm sorry that you're in a bad mood, but don't put someone else down just because you're in a bad mood.

There's never a debate with someone that believes in the tooth fairy. They're arguement is always "I feel jesus in my heart". How can you debate that?

Condescending, Condescending, Condescending.....perhaps I need to give you the definition of condescending......

For the record, I would have said all that while in a good mood.

I'm sorry, I just think it's silly to believe in god. you do have the right, but I have the right to giggle.

Condescending, Condescending, Condescending.....perhaps I need to give you the definition of condescending......

Pffftt, my picture is next to it.

Heh, you've reinforced what I think, and that is people just HAVE to have something to believe in. So to get comfort for that they believe in something that everyone else tells them exists.

Maybe they're not believing what they are told, maybe they are believing what they feel.

BTW, it could just as easily be said that someone told you not to believe in God - cuz you're not the only atheist in the world. :rolleyes:

"I feel jesus in my heart". How can you debate that?

You're right, you can't debate a feeling. BTW, I think you reinforced what they have been saying.

And of course you have the right to giggle at it - cuz that's how you feel . . .

SD, I bet you were one of those bratty kids who told everyone that Santa's not real. :cool: ;)

For the record, I would have said all that while in a good mood.

I'm sorry, I just think it's silly to believe in god. you do have the right, but I have the right to giggle.

It's your opinion...why is it so silly to believe in God? Millions of people believe in God...

If you don't believe in God, then fine, I respect that...I'm not trying to force you into anything.

Thanks Moon for explaining things a little more clearly :D

Religion is the worst thing to happen to this planet. Think of all the destruction it has caused. It's just plain ol silly to fight (I'm referring to holy wars) and feel so strongly about something that you're not for certain is fact.

But yes, you can't debate a feeling. But you can debate creation vs evolution.

Religion is the worst thing to happen to this planet. Think of all the destruction it has caused. It's just plain ol silly to fight (I'm referring to holy wars) and feel so strongly about something that you're not for certain is fact.

But yes, you can't debate a feeling. But you can debate creation vs evolution.

Hey if you can prove evolution, I know someone (not personally) who will give you $2,000 (or was it $200,000 or was it $6,000? I can't remember) if you can personally prove it yourself.

Neither Evolution nor Creation can be proven.

But the nice thing about theory of Evolution is that it makes a plausible attempt to understand the origin.

Theory is not as good as a postulate but it is better than a hypothesis.

Hey if you can prove evolution, I know someone (not personally) who will give you $2,000 (or was it $200,000 or was it $6,000? I can't remember) if you can personally prove it yourself.

OH OH OH!!! *raises hand* I can prove it!!!! Evolution is defined as change over time. Change over time happens all around us all the time. Flowers bloom, people grow, mountains move, species evolve = evolution.

Can I have my money now?????? :cool: :D

Hey folks, evolution has been proven. Does that prove creationism false? Absolutely not. But evolution is a fact of life. Species evolve. That IS evolution. And there is more than sufficient evidence to prove it.

Wait, is this thread about evolution? Where am I???????????????????

Hey if you can prove evolution, I know someone (not personally) who will give you $2,000 (or was it $200,000 or was it $6,000? I can't remember) if you can personally prove it yourself.

All I know is evolution has more of a basis then a "book of his word".

OH OH OH!!! *raises hand* I can prove it!!!! Evolution is defined as change over time. Change over time happens all around us all the time. Flowers bloom, people grow, mountains move, species evolve = evolution.

Can I have my money now?????? :cool: :D



lol....you'll have to go through a debate first

Anyone familiar with Daniel Dennett's work? He's fairly controversial, because of his subjects. Some people laugh at him, but I find his hypothesis interesting. Many scientists prefer to not even acknowledge that religion has any basis because...to them...well, it doesn't. But Bennett tries to at least postulate that religion exists as it is passed from parent to child in any society because it gives the child...the next generation...a competitive advantage, in the evolutionary sense, over others. Facinating huh?

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&articleID=00099B8B-DBD6-13A1-9BD683414B7F0000&colID=12

I personally don't believe in any god or any semblance of. It gives me great comfort not to, in the same way it provides comfort to those who chose to have faith. I like the fact that I'm accountable for my own "sins", and I'm the only one who can forgive them.

as for the separation between religion and state,it is a must for any developed society.when power concetrates in peoples hands who act in the name of a superior being,whose existence has never been proven we are taking a step backwards into real development.

religions were just necessary as an engine for organised societies to take off before politics and social rules were applied.it is all about power not about God as i see it,before people got it from god,now they get it through national soberanity and it is not anymore something impossed or not susceptible to be questioned.

now for the existence of God,i do understand many people need something to believe in,call it God or whatever.I consider myself a humanist,i believe in myself,i dont thank a superior being for the things i have,i earned them.same with bad things,it is not heavens punishment,i made my decisions and they brought its consequences,plus the things that scape to our control we can do nothing about.

i tried to believe,questioned my faith and made my conslusions,if i can get no proof other than subjective faith,i wont believe in it.

not sure who said,millions of people do believe in God...well mass-accepted ideas dont make them necessarily real.believing is just as fair as not believing.For others,no proof against its existence proofs its existence,i accept it,dont share that opinion tho :)

i however,like to separate between blind faith,and those who have questioned it and eventually ended up believing.Miguel de Unamuno said that true faith is the hesitating faith.i do agree with this statement.if god exists and made us rational beings was not to believe blindly.if anyone is interested in the subject i recommend the book San Manuel,the good,martyr.it is quite short and an amazing read :)

as for the separation between religion and state,it is a must for any developed society.when power concetrates in peoples hands who act in the name of a superior being,whose existence has never been proven we are taking a step backwards into real development.

religions were just necessary as an engine for organised societies to take off before politics and social rules were applied.it is all about power not about God as i see it,before people got it from god,now they get it through national soberanity and it is not anymore something impossed or not susceptible to be questioned.

now for the existence of God,i do understand many people need something to believe in,call it God or whatever.I consider myself a humanist,i believe in myself,i dont thank a superior being for the things i have,i earned them.same with bad things,it is not heavens punishment,i made my decisions and they brought its consequences,plus the things that scape to our control we can do nothing about.

i tried to believe,questioned my faith and made my conslusions,if i can get no proof other than subjective faith,i wont believe in it.

not sure who said,millions of people do believe in God...well mass-accepted ideas dont make them necessarily real.believing is just as fair as not believing.For others,no proof against its existence proofs its existence,i accept it,dont share that opinion tho :)

i however,like to separate between blind faith,and those who have questioned it and eventually ended up believing.Miguel de Unamuno said that true faith is the hesitating faith.i do agree with this statement.if god exists and made us rational beings was not to believe blindly.if anyone is interested in the subject i recommend the book San Manuel,the good,martyr.it is quite short and an amazing read :)


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