Philosophy
When it comes to the intellectual battle between atheism and religion, the group with the imaginary friends ain't gonna win. But what about the intellectual tension between atheism and agnosticism? One could argue that atheism is an arrogant position, since it claims the non-existence of God, but one could also argue agnosticism is a bleeding-heart fence-sitting position held by people afraid to have some conviction.
It may seem reasonable to be an agnostic, since one can't prove that God doesn't exist. But it's also impossible to prove that unicorns and the Flying Spaghetti Monster don't exist. Should we really be agnostic toward their existence? Is that really a sensible position? Or would it make more sense to believe they don't exist (since there is no evidence that they do), and then change our minds should evidence of their existence ever make itself available?
In the following short clip from NPR's series 'This I Believe,' Penn Jilette shares some of his thoughts on the issue, as well as why being an atheist is bound to make one a more compassionate and loving human being.
And don't forget to check out some awesome Penn & Teller magic.
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Philosophy
Penn Jillette - This I Believe: There Is No God
When it comes to the intellectual battle between atheism and religion, the group with the imaginary friends ain't gonna win. But what about the intellectual tension between atheism and agnosticism? One could argue that atheism is an arrogant position, since it claims the non-existence of God, but one could also argue agnosticism is a bleeding-heart fence-sitting position held by people afraid to have some conviction.It may seem reasonable to be an agnostic, since one can't prove that God doesn't exist. But it's also impossible to prove that unicorns and the Flying Spaghetti Monster don't exist. Should we really be agnostic toward their existence? Is that really a sensible position? Or would it make more sense to believe they don't exist (since there is no evidence that they do), and then change our minds should evidence of their existence ever make itself available?
In the following short clip from NPR's series 'This I Believe,' Penn Jilette shares some of his thoughts on the issue, as well as why being an atheist is bound to make one a more compassionate and loving human being.
And don't forget to check out some awesome Penn & Teller magic.
.
- Penn State Football Death Penalty?
The question in the wake of the Freeh Report on the tragedy at Penn State is whether the university should be allowed to field a football team going forward in the next few years. The argument on one side is that the lack of oversight and turning a blind...
- Types Of Atheism, Religion In History, And Philosophy Today
J.T. asks, "Should atheism be defined as an absence of belief in God (or gods)? Or should it be defined as as an explicit affirmation that gods do no exist? Is there a true distinction between these two definitions? And finally, should agnosticism be...
- Thesim, Atheism, And Rationality
A few questions related to religious belief this time around, so let's have at 'em: Enigman asks: What precisely is it, about the world (and/or oneself), that inclines reasonable people towards (i) atheism, or (ii) theism, so that they regard...
- Tribute To Christopher Hitchens
Widely considered to be one of the Four Horsemen of Atheism, Christopher Hitchens is an intellectual hero to many agnostics, skeptics and nonbelievers. I greatly admire the man's intelligence, erudition, candor, humor and eloquence, but I have to...
- Penn & Teller - Anti-vaccine Campaigns Are Bullshit!
One of the problems with irrational beliefs is that they don't exist in a vacuum of ideas: they have consequences in the real world, and are bound to affect someone in a real way. Take the case of vaccines. There is a growing number of concerned parents...