Simple answer to complicated question: if God (or the idea of God taken seriously, which is the same thing) does not exist, then “all is permitted” (все позволено) (Ivan Karamazov).
It seems to me that the widespread dedication to eliminating any mention or discussion of God—even to the point of ignoring the importance of how belief in God has moved history and inspired individuals such as Johnny Cash—suggests the existence of God.
Quite commonly I find that the correct answer is boring because it’s not elaborate and long winded. How often have you heard “the real explanation is nearly as exciting”. God isn’t boring but the answer is to an atheist because they are desperately trying to find a different answer.
The biopic "Harriet" about Harriet Tubman was a refreshing counterexample in recent popular culture of this phenomenon that you and Barton Swaim are commenting on here. But in general, yeah: I'm continually entertained by lovers of popular music not knowing that Johnny Cash, or Nick Cave, or Madonna, or Beyonce, or Lady Gaga, or.....<very, very long list of rock stars> drop religious references into songs *because they were raised in the church.*
Re: "Those atheist philosophers honest enough to face the ramifications of their unbelief..."
Stephen Hawking, in the introduction to his A Brief History of Time, walks right up to the precipice of acknowledging that pure materialism requires that there is no such thing as meaning. But then, at the very last minute, he flinches and writes, more or less, "but I couldn't live that way."
Yeah, no kidding! So much for actually believing the stuff you promulgate in your philosophy...
Simple answer to complicated question: if God (or the idea of God taken seriously, which is the same thing) does not exist, then “all is permitted” (все позволено) (Ivan Karamazov).
Beautifully written and thoughtfully cited.
Impressively concise explanation of our crisis of meaning and Klavan’s own journey to faith.
It seems to me that the widespread dedication to eliminating any mention or discussion of God—even to the point of ignoring the importance of how belief in God has moved history and inspired individuals such as Johnny Cash—suggests the existence of God.
I've got a weekly Mere Christianity book club meeting tonight, and so of course Hot Gandalf drops a quote from that work in today's letter.
Another beautiful piece, and it reminded me , in form if not in exactness, with Thomas Cahill's "Desire of the everlasting hills."
Quite commonly I find that the correct answer is boring because it’s not elaborate and long winded. How often have you heard “the real explanation is nearly as exciting”. God isn’t boring but the answer is to an atheist because they are desperately trying to find a different answer.
Indeed. Well spoken, Mr. Klavan.
The biopic "Harriet" about Harriet Tubman was a refreshing counterexample in recent popular culture of this phenomenon that you and Barton Swaim are commenting on here. But in general, yeah: I'm continually entertained by lovers of popular music not knowing that Johnny Cash, or Nick Cave, or Madonna, or Beyonce, or Lady Gaga, or.....<very, very long list of rock stars> drop religious references into songs *because they were raised in the church.*
Make virtue cool again. Orient ourselves toward God and who knows what good could happen!
Re: "Those atheist philosophers honest enough to face the ramifications of their unbelief..."
Stephen Hawking, in the introduction to his A Brief History of Time, walks right up to the precipice of acknowledging that pure materialism requires that there is no such thing as meaning. But then, at the very last minute, he flinches and writes, more or less, "but I couldn't live that way."
Yeah, no kidding! So much for actually believing the stuff you promulgate in your philosophy...
I am so behind, so excited to get back to this. Wonderfully written.