Richard Dawkins: 'Jesus would have been an atheist"

Post by **klr** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:14 pm

... because he was so intelligent.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/audio ... rd-dawkins

The audio clip (plus a download link) is in the article.

Apologies if this was posted already.

Post by **Exi5tentialist** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:30 pm

Actually, who's to say Jesus wasn't an atheist? We really need evidence that Jesus didn't intend all his words to be purely metaphorical; that "God" isn't really just the theoretical personification of an inner essence, that teachings like "the Kingdom of Heaven is within" weren't really just Buddhist-like pointers to an inward self, mostly undiscovered.

Of course, that's not to say Jesus' message hasn't been corrupted somewhat in the few short years since his untimely demise, but there again how would we know that either?

Post by **Cormac** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:04 pm

If he existed at all, or if he did, if he was anything like he is now represented.

Post by **Schneibster** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:05 pm

I'll buy "Jesus was a socialist." I'll even buy "Christianity was a revolution." But I'm pretty sure Jesus wasn't an atheist. He might have been a closet deist.

Post by **klr** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:16 pm

Exi5tentialist wrote:Actually, who's to say Jesus wasn't an atheist? We really need evidence that Jesus didn't intend all his words to be purely metaphorical; that "God" isn't really just the theoretical personification of an inner essence, that teachings like "the Kingdom of Heaven is within" weren't really just Buddhist-like pointers to an inward self, mostly undiscovered.

Of course, that's not to say Jesus' message hasn't been corrupted somewhat in the few short years since his untimely demise, but there again how would we know that either?

Getting yourself nailed to cross and dying an excruciating death for something metaphorical? Crazy, crazy guy ...

Post by **Don't Panic** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:16 pm

You can probably be certain that Jesus didn't believe in god, he knew he existed, that's like believing in your parents, or believing in the ground underneath you. It's a non-thought when you're sure.

Post by **Exi5tentialist** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:17 pm

There seem to be a lot of unknowns in this situation.

Anyway Dawkins wasn't saying Jesus was an atheist. He's saying that "somebody as intelligent as Jesus would have been an atheist if he had known what what we know today."

I've underlined the 5 concepts in Dawkins's argument that can never be known. So why this leading scientist has such confidence asserting them I have no idea.

Post by **Gawdzilla Sama** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:39 pm

Post by **Atheist-Lite** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:43 pm

Jesus was a fucking retard if he existed at all. Should have worked it out in Gethsamene and got Paul or Peter to do the cross stunt and married Mary Magdelene....

Post by **klr** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:47 pm

Crumple wrote:Jesus was a fucking retard if he existed at all. Should have worked it out in Gethsamene and got Paul or Peter to do the cross stunt and married Mary Magdelene....

Post by **hiyymer** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:14 am

Exi5tentialist wrote:There seem to be a lot of unknowns in this situation.

Anyway Dawkins wasn't saying Jesus was an atheist. He's saying that "somebody as intelligent as Jesus would have been an atheist if he had known what what we know today."

I've underlined the 5 concepts in Dawkins's argument that can never be known. So why this leading scientist has such confidence asserting them I have no idea.

Because he's not a "leading scientist". Professor of BS.

Post by **Tero** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:17 am

Jesus didn't learn much cause he never went to Kindergarten. His brothers and sisters did, but they had a real daddy, Joseph. They thought the school bullies would get the virgin mama kid.

Post by **Xamonas Chegwé** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:18 am

Crumple wrote:Jesus was a fucking retard if he existed at all. Should have worked it out in Gethsamene and got Paul or Peter to do the cross stunt and married Mary Magdelene....

Marry that tart? After she had been through all 12 disciples (and most of them twice (apart from Mark - he was gay)) - come on! We are talking about the son of god here! Potipher's wife - now there's a filly...

Post by **Tero** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:19 am

So was Paul gay? Not that he would have done Mark, I don't think he met any of them.

Post by **Xamonas Chegwé** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:25 am

Tero wrote:So was Paul gay? Not that he would have done Mark, I don't think he met any of them.

Paul was so deep in the closet he was spitting slippers!

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