Posted by BGH
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I love the explanation Penn Jillette gives how there is comfort and solace in atheism when we have to deal with losing those very dear to us.
From Crackle:
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"These things I'll carry on
And when you're gone I'll honor you
Each day, however long"
4 comments:
what maudlin horseshit. penn jillette always takes himself so seriouly. he makes me want to vomit.
I think Penn Jillette did a wonderful job exposing a seldom seen side of atheism--that it can be comforting, that it can provide solace. I remember having a fear as a kid because I learned that God could see everything. My parents weren't religious so I don't know where I got the idea around the age of four. I remember playing hide and seek with my sister and realizing God could see me hiding under this pile of dirty clothes, and if he could see that, he could see me naked under my clothes all the time! Was there nothing God couldn't see!?
I find a lot of comfort in not having to deal with a supernatural world. Honestly, if I had one of the experiences many people cite for their supernaturalism, that would totally destroy my worldview which is naturalism. It'd be like a horror movie where maybe I have to worry about what laws really prevail here, e.g., is the Universe like a Freddie Krueger movie where I can't sleep lest I be killed for some spurious and capricious reason? That's a silly example, but my imagination can churn them out ceaselessly.
The more humdrum examples seem to motivate all the little superstitions of mind I try to inhibit such as the case where I believe that it almost tempts fate to declare my intentions too strongly or too confidently for fear that my desire will most certainly will not come to pass; or that the universe might deign to controvert what would have otherwise been a perfectly good achievement of mine for my being too sure, too smug about it, e.g. instead of saying, "I aced that exam!" I might merely say, "I think I did well." Stupid Universe, quit reading my thoughts and trying to give me perfect justice! I did ace that exam, and if you jump in there and lower my score for having said it, well, you suck, and I liked you better when you were just indifferent to me.
Anonymous #1,
Your comment seems to be maudlin horseshit, and appear to be taking YOURSELF way too seriously.
I appreciate his comments about atheism and loss. The concept of a 'better place' is bullshiat and it is better to grieve than to make up fairy tales to feel better.
Perhaps atheism, skepticism, and reason are too cerebral for "anonymous".
Penn and Teller are truly doing "the Lord's work". :)
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