Douglas Adams & Religious Criticism

[shellybirdy]

you have some great stuff here

[ViperRob42]

Don't forget your towel

[sd62t833]

Answer: Because it's not about how the universe was started. It's about people who have chosen a method of living which they identify with their very being. 

[verticalsmurf]

@sd62t833 But people 'choose' from many methods of living (religeons) but we can't seem to co-exisit. Some people with different 'methods' can't share a fence, or a town, or a country, or a planet.

[sd62t833]

@verticalsmurf most people live by attachments...their existence is based on a lover or family or an army or even a company affiliation or even themselves...so of course they can't share a fence with anyone outside of that.

my point is just that this isn't about science and evolution. it's about a philosophy that gives people purpose and connection----and until you can replace that with something more suitable, you're just talking to the wind.

[ASarcasmProduction]

That's nonsense Richard, but every time I read or hear you speak it's generally nonsense. I suppose because I have always held debates about God, and seen open debates about religion, and I am always reading about criticisms of religion, such as even your own anti Catholic book, the God Delusion. So you speak in contradictor arguments yourself, but since you speak with an English accent we are to believe some how you are superior. Well Mr. Adams was a fictional writer, he makes people laugh.Haha

[RuleOfTheInternet]

Death. Something humans have had their own thoughts and believes for ages, even the times long ago when they were quite limited by both brain capacity and imagination. Even if this death sounds quite unoriginal in many ways, it still is the fate of all living humans, even for the ones as original and imagination filled people as Douglas Adams, even tho this all is relative, and forcing the reader to be any more fhilosophical like most are when this is mentioned, is inhumane.This too is relative

[ViperRob42]

I will never forget the memory or the genius of Douglas Adams.. also I wanted to note that when reading Dawkins "God Delusion" Adams name comes up specifically on page 42 and 142.... coincidence? Humm...

[ZadnjiKos]

Humans are (indivisibly) rational - emotional beings.

But nevertheless Douglas was aware of this if you read more of that same article the above quote was taken from. Read the paragraph about Feng Shui. It is just this video that more than about religion tells about how sad atheism can be - it just doesn't deliver.

Being an atheist is not about being something but NOT being something. So what are you?

[ZadnjiKos]

Rationalization of religion!? It’s like if you want to have good sex do you really want to know or discuss the true reason and background of why your partner is doing it to you during the very intercourse?

What is this, some shallow atheistic shoulder tapping? Debunking religion on logical level is not a hard task. But logics are not what religion is about. Besides, the quote in video targets rather the church than religion. It misses an important point in what is the function of religion.

[TheUndeadAmerican]

Richard Dawkins IS our god. ;)

[ASarcasmProduction]

@TheUndeadAmerican Eek a religion for one I suppose !

[uncopro]

I have trouble believing what comes out of your presidents mouth yesterday. What could possibly posses me to believe a book which has had 2000 years of greasy hands making alterations to their own benefit, when it was likely fiction, or highly bias originally? It's a well known fact that history is written by the victor. It's well known that people are out for their own benefit, if only subconsciously. I'm not saying don't believe anything anyone says. I'm just urging you to think for yourselves

[FreeeeS]

god must be a ninja

[Birdinthehand1000]

Holy has no meaning, it doesnt represent anything real

[holmesc25]

GoblinXXX, I am actually arguing for FAITH! There are millions of people in the world for whom faith is a comfort and an inspiration. Attempting to explain away God leaves them without hope. Not very enlightened in my view.

[TheMasterHippy]

@holmesc25 There are also millions of people in the world for whom would kill those of a different faith because theirs is unarguably right. Faith is blind. People shouldn't believe something because its comforting. For example life after death sounds great, but to believe you live forever means you may take your short lived life for granted.

A story of life, evolution, cosmology, quantum physics, biology and all the rest is far more aw inspiring than faith in something that isn't real.

[holmesc25]

@TheMasterHippy Those that believe in and truly follow Jesus don't just believe because "it is comforting". We make a choice to live a more difficult life in which we have to swim against the tide. Jesus' way allows us to live life to the full. Unconditional love and forgiveness is what our choice is all about. Jesus showed us how to do this.

[TheMasterHippy]

@holmesc25 Jesus wasn't around to show you anything. Your throwing your Odds in with a book written by miserable men 2000 years ago.

You make a choice to swim against the tide? trust me, The Atheist way frees your mind to new thinking and new ways of observing life. Its so much easier to just go with the tide.

I think your afraid to change your mind because so much of your life and energy was put into Jesus that now you have been brain washed into never letting him go. I feel sorry for you.

[holmesc25]

@TheMasterHippy There is more evidence to say He was around than evidence to say he wasn't. What makes you so sure? The way Jesus freed people from the hold "going with the tide" had on them is worth considering before you dismiss Him. He is working through Christians today to do much the same thing. A well knowm example is the book "The Cross and the Switchblade". Jesus was a man. he came back from the dead. He then became spirit and now works in all Christians. No need to feel sorry!

[TheMasterHippy]

@holmesc25 Its likely that jesus existed. People wrote about him, people who liked him, but stories can easily get twisted in time.

Its not likely hes the son of god, or rose from the dead. Why does the christian god/bible get so much credit? why not the Koran, or Budah. Zeus? half the known world believed in him.

If there is any chance of a God it is certainly not the christian god, a petty, vindictive, unjust, unforgiving, racist god, an ethnic cleanser urging his ppl on to acts of genocide.

[ericdravenashecorven]

@holmesc25 I'm sorry to butt in, but you are incorrect in saying you live a harder life. Many politicians, judges, congressmen, senators, and even presidents are and have been christian, and they are the ones who determine laws, sentences, how the country is run, and even how they represent the people. It is fair to say that someone with that slant would be biased in how they do their jobs. And by the way, according to polls, 2 billion people are christians on earth. Hard life my ass.

[Birdinthehand1000]

@holmesc25 If people knew how to simply get along and understood the universe without fear one wouldnt need faith in what they wish for, what does the word faith really mean when it comes to the director of thoughts ? Even the bible points out the argument of God being an excuse for not sharing paternal instincts of doing right by other people, its metaphysical "a science"

[holmesc25]

Douglas Adams wrote that God said "without faith I am nothing" so why does dawkins insist on wanting to argue and analyse His non-existence? We're NOT MEANT TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING. That's the whole point. We believe what we don't understand. It wouldn't be faith if we understood it!

[GoblinXXX]

@holmesc25 So, you're arguing FOR ignorance? What an enlightened position.

[zeppy13131]

I think what Richard is trying to say here is that when it comes to philosophy, rigidity = insecurity.

[ahmedeox]

@zeppy13131 Also, when it comes to religious believers, fundamentalism=insecurity or small penis

[Da0YiN]

it is so idiotic!!!

[mtssvnsn]

78 dislikes so far.

*scary!*

[whiteliketar]

what a lie. it's the other way around. As a Chinese archeologist stated recently 'In China you can question Darwin but you can't question the government - in the US however you can question the government but you can't question Darwin.'

[Hufflewaffle]

@whiteliketar You can question Darwin all you like.

In fact questioning Darwin is exactly what scientists like Dawkins do for a living. There is a very long and detailed accumulative trail of knowledge and carefully scrutinized methodology leading up to the current understanding of evolution. You are free to question any part of it. Just expect it your methods and results to be scrutinized also.

[whiteliketar]

@Hufflewaffle tell that to the crazed political atheist bullies at the universities who will try everything to destroy the career of their fellow scientists who challenge Darwinism. Stop lying...the Chinese archaeologist got it right. The pendulum has swung the completely the other way. Now Scientists exposing the folly of Darwin will have to be the modern day Gallilieos. Just the way it is.

[Hufflewaffle]

@whiteliketar crazed political atheist bullies trying everything to destroy the career of their fellow scientists?

Well, if there is a scientific truth being hidden, I am convinced it will emerge eventually One of the great things about the enlightenment was the revelation of truth over superstition. If evolution is atheist superstition then Im sure it will be exposed for its folly by the rational, clear headed, carefully tested and validated science of the bible.

[whiteliketar]

@Hufflewaffle If that was the case my learned friend - your beloved atheist friends would be a little less quick about jumping to conclusions regarding there being no God. Everything fantastic that we can see in creation screams for a creator and if that is not enough even the most basic life forms like really really basic need 380 genes present all at once to exist. The evidence is overwhelming for the old William Paley argument. Only a fool and a blind one will argue otherwise.

[Hufflewaffle]

@whiteliketar The only thing that "screams" for its 'creator' is a baby. Most adults grow out of this habit.

[whiteliketar]

@Hufflewaffle So says the beggar on the street who refuses to see farther than his nose. Don't blame your own wilful blindness on others - The baby 'screams' for attention - And most adults know in heart of hearts that there is a God or a creator behind all the magnificence of creation so don't make up atheist stories now. You'll be screaming for something else when you walk through the valley of the shadow of darkness all by your lonesome self. This is your problem - no one else.

[Hufflewaffle]

@whiteliketar Do you people ever stop and wonder why you can only speak in metaphors? - or even sometimes just listen to what you are saying?

A "blind beggar walking through the valley of the shadow of darkness all by my lonesome self"

Shadow of darkness??

"In their heart of hearts they know there is a creator behind all the magnificence"

heart of hearts??

Sorry but I don't live in a 60s Prog Rock song. I live in the real world. I don't live near any valleys and I can see just fine thanks.

[whiteliketar]

@Hufflewaffle - Interpret words any way you want to...even the "simple " process of Mitosis is a dace of such complexity and pre-programming only an Atheist loser with his perverse motives (mostly sexual by the way) will blind himself to that. It's your problem...keep hiding behind billions and billions of years with your chance of the gaps freakoid thinking...See who gets the last laugh. Every branch of science is God's domain so...really how could you be so blind and stupid at the same time.

[exillens]

@whiteliketar Yes you're soooo right. Us religious people will have the last laugh whiles our "God" burns those non believers forever and forever. AH HA HA HA(uncontrollable evil laughter whiles rubbing hands together). Burn u fuckin non believers our "God" will show you who's boss whiles me and WHITELIKETAR get to live happily ever after worshipping him forever and grooming his silky white beard. You'll soon see just wait. AH HA HA HA(more evil laughter whiles rubbing my chin)

[whiteliketar]

@exillens ha ha - well my learned friend - there is enough room in Hell for black idiots and white ones too. Christ referenced Hell 33 to 1 as he did heaven . He did give us choice.....so believe what you want.

[exillens]

@whiteliketar You're so right WHITELIKETAR. Those silly non believers require evidence that everything in the bible is true when clearly it says right there in the bible that it is true. How stupid of those ignorant non believers asking for evidence and for Jesus to show himself directly as proof. I mean Jesus loves them and doesn't want them to burn but he doesn't have time just to go around showing himself to everybody. He doesn't love them that much. That's why is dad wrote the book.

[whiteliketar]

@exillens exactly - that's why your Dad ...nothing..made everything ..the madness of atheism makes schizophrenia look absolutely docile. LOL

[exillens]

@whiteliketar Ok when did the convo switch to atheism being the only other plausible view from Christianity or Islam or any other bullshit religion? Saying that a "God" exists is one thing but saying that the bible was written by "God" and it tells people what "God" wants is another. Either way i see why in our case it makes sense that everything came from something except "God". With that long silky beard of his and being a single parent and all he has no time to explain where "he" came from.

[GoblinXXX]

@whiteliketar Ooo, not Aitch ee double hockeysticks! How SCARY! I'm totally convinced now, because I certainly wouldn't want to be punished forever by your just and loving god.

[whiteliketar]

@GoblinXXX you don't have to be scared to be destroyed ...just reckless or stupid. have fun. lol

[GoblinXXX]

@whiteliketar Right. And the GOBLINS are gonna gitcha' if you don't... Watch... OUT! Are you 5 years old? Will Santa only put coal in my stocking, too? Are you SERIOUSLY trying to threaten ADULTS with that fairytale horseshit?

[whiteliketar]

@GoblinXXX as I said Fools die every day...ask those who refuse to wear seatbelts or cross busy streets talking on their cell phones. you might even deserve what's coming...but I am sorry to say that. ignore the warnings of God and listen to fools like dawkins, hitchnes and Sagan ...the blind leading the blind. 

[Birdinthehand1000]

@whiteliketar You are miss quoting scripture here, dawkins is not a fool, the question is who's ideology should people be conformed to, even the fable of Jesus is mis interpreted because the bible was so poorly written as a metaphysical expression...gee wizz people its about being right minded and intelligence...

[stepchangeable]

At least 78 people are retarded.

[elhirah]

The Holy Quran explains the origins of the universe, the formation of clouds, mountains, the human embryonic development, our brain - the Cerebrum, the barrier between two seas etc.

Read the Quran. It explains Science. Information which has been discovered only recently using advanced equipment only proves further the truth in the existence of God the Almighty.

[evmarcus66]

@elhirah Fish fingers...

[DasNutellamaedchen]

@elhirah Excuse me, but your comment makes me a bit angry.

Well, I'm still a bit upset about worshippers of Quran burning down librarys some hundred years ago, destroying everything persian scientists did, so they could spread the "holy" book, interisting, these guys behaved very much like the church. All these informations are lost forever. So please forgive me, if I don´t take the Quran OR the bible Or any other kind of "holy" scripture seriously in matters of science or morality.

[gordonisnext]

@elhirah No it doesn't, if it did, wouldn't it make sense that Muslims would have been telling the rest of the world that the universe started from an infinitely small, hot, and dense form and then expanded to its present day form? But they didn't, and the quotes that I know you are thinking of are in no way specific enough to justify your claims, they are just as vague as the quotes from the bible and vedas people claim to explain modern day scientific discoveries.

[Thatsthebadger1]

Why do religious people believe in Itelligent design? for the same reason people thought the Earth was flat...because it looks that way. but given time as in the theory the earth was flat, science will explain and is explaining our world/universe.

[gulbirk]

@Thatsthebadger1 vikings knew the earth wasnt flat over 1000 years ago, but nobody listened. vikings were sailers and saw that the earth was not flat, it was round.

[sebastianquilt]

Adams and Dawkins must argue against the children who make objective and beyond criticism the 'holy'. Really, why does the public eye find attractive these weak atheists. Surely there are better ones, if any.

[eurisko67]

If you could put your question in a coherent English sentence, I would be happy to answer.

[MarilynFilth]

@sebastianquilt How are they weak? Why is it that those with faith only ever attack personally, even if your god is real then can't it stand up for itself?

[DrewidDesktop]

"oh dear" said God, "I hadn't thought of that" and promply vanishes in a puff of logic.

[Deel2506]

@DrewidDesktop Epic quote!

[ViperRob42]

RIP Adams, I'm glad Dawkins continues his legacy, I'd like to see Dawkins try to write some science fiction of some sort lol

[Darkenedbyshadows]

God is an Idea, someone had to idealize him to existence.... so why shouldnt we question THAT idea?

Oh .....wait.. I know!

"Its all part of a Plan made by a idealized god" Which we apperentlli need to follow... here is my point..if he is an idea; then arnt we just following THAT persons idea? ..Not " Gods plan".......

(PS; Pardon my english, it is decent enough to get point across but not fluently. =P )

[alien8ted]

Holy = full of holes.

[CptNorstedt]

@alien8ted ohh i se what u GoW ed there :D

[AsEasyAsEasyIs]

"[{atheism 2 : godlessness esp. in conduct : UNGODLINESS , WICKEDNESS } -- fr. p. 137 of "Webster's Unabridged Dictionary" of 1967 -- exactly as it appears, including the uppercase letters...]"

[clickswitchh]

i think dawkins is like 20 years off ... this isnt radical at all ...

[MrJohnnyrace]

Because truth is timeless.

[NathanWubs]

@clickswitchh Depends in which country you are.

[Tapecutter59]

Anyone know if the speech he is quoting is available on the net?

[Darkenedbyshadows]

yea bro.

[FLL999]

Fear, which is promoted by religious groups, is the main tool to keep their followers in the dark. It was done in the Middle Ages, and it is done today--- only worse. Followers are treated as sheep; they don't question their masters voice. They are afraid that if you begin questioning you will begin to dig out the lies upon which religions are really built. But this is changing--- just wait a bit longer and you, too, will see the true light.

[menschherbert]

blasphemy! who this dawkins things he is, quoting the divine knowledge of adams?

[jumpinjackflash5]

LOL

[bigianbee]

haha-learn how to use and spell English

[davesake]

That was cool. Real cool man.

[orlando098]

lol, well he was a friend of his and Douglas admired him and was partly convinced to become atheist by his books, so I think he has a much right as anyone to quote from him

[EndCredulity]

The venir of politeness they've strategically built to protect themselves is cracking. During the 30 years I've been an atheist, it was considered perfectly proper etiquette at dinner parties to call me a "fool" as sanctioned by their book of Psalms.

Now that it's becoming more socially acceptable to question peoples' religious beliefs, I'm SUDDENLY hearing from them the very words I was using "why can't you respect my belief?"

It's a bit late for them to discover the other side of the fence.

[Darkenedbyshadows]

This is so true. I very much like your wording on the matter.

[tiberux]

YEAH!

This is the heart of the problem with religion: you're not suppose to question certain Holy things as you can not comprehend the answer.

You know that has always confused me because if I know what I can not question, then it's already questionable, and if the answer is above my understanding then the question shouldn't exist in the first place (i.e. I should be totally oblivious to it), yet it does exist and I know what the question(s) which I am not suppose to ask !

[ReasonablySpeaking]

So fucking amazing. Thanks.