Interview with Greg Epstein, humanist chaplain of Harvard University. www.harvardhumanist.org Filmed as part of my forthcoming documentary on atheism. See more interviews and additional footage on my youtube channel or at www.gregorywalsh.net
On July 12, 2010, In Uncategorized, by admin
Interview with Greg Epstein, humanist chaplain of Harvard University. www.harvardhumanist.org Filmed as part of my forthcoming documentary on atheism. See more interviews and additional footage on my youtube channel or at www.gregorywalsh.net
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@region1111 They take an us/them approach to humanity because of that belief, and it has caused nothing but strife. You are doing the same thing, but you’re on the other side. All you’re doing by taking an us/them stance, is strengthening their resolve, and intensifying the conflict. YOU are just as much a part of the problem as they are. Shame on you.
@region1111 The fact is that science does not yet explain all phenomenon. This is probably due to the 800 years of technological suppression we experienced at the hands of absolutist religions. But that doesn’t change the fact that there are things we can’t scientifically explain (yet). Religion is the attempt to allegorically understand these things. The problem is that people have taken them entirely too literally.
@region1111 The fact is that science does not yet explain all phenomenon. This is probably due to the 800 years of technological suppression we experienced at the hands of absolutist religions. But that doesn’t change the fact that there are things we can’t scientifically explain (yet). Religion is the attempt to allegorically understand these things. The problem is that people have taken them entirely too literally.
@region1111 The fact is that science does not yet explain all phenomenon. This is probably due to the 800 years of technological suppression we experienced at the hands of absolutist religions. But that doesn’t change the fact that there are things we can’t scientifically explain (yet). Religion is the attempt to allegorically understand these things. The problem is that people have taken them entirely too literally.
This great APOSTASY is predicted in the Bible and must happen before the end of this wicked age will come. See: 2TH 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed.. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any? way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
But like I said, I’ve only watched these snapshots, so to me it just seems like some community time on which to discuss ethics / the future of the human species / contemporary science.
Just a community to which you can ‘belong’ by just being a humanist. (Does make me wonder if he’s a secular humanist now though)
Humanism alone isn’t enough, it needs to be secular humanism
But under secular humanism, I see no problem in trying to provide community.
I only watched this presentation here though (and a select few others on youtube) Haven’t touched any DVDs of his (Like you, I’m more of an individual-individual, hehe)
The way I understood his point is that he wants to offer the possibility of community (such as on sunday), without the burden of religion attached to it. A bit like a club, for everyone.
It’s not something you’re supposed to go to, I think. But you can. Like I said, people like to belong somewhere, so it might be an incentive.
Epstein and Hitchens would make a truly powerful force against the out dated beliefs of ALL religions.
To single out islam,when i see these men praying ( as women are not allowed to ) they remind me so much of the borg.A pointless adventure to assimilate all to a single collective for no apparant reason other than that of a biggoted arsewipe who requires total control
Nerusai:
On the beyond belief 2 DVDs I think I remember him talking about how he’s an atheist but still thinks the universe has some sort of spiritual (ie. supernatural) component.
Also, he wants atheists to form a preachy (not a scientific) congregation and meet up on sundays. That fulfill his own needs, not other people’s.
I don’t care for that sort of bullshit.
He wants to whine and be validated in front of a large group (this was a guy who was in a rock band only a few years ago).
I’m highly allergic to any kind of religion, yet Epstein didnot make my brain sneeze.
He seems to be a bit touchy-feely perhaps, but his claims seem to be based on evidence. Humans are indeed social creatures, that indeed feel better in the company of others. Belonging is a powerful psychological drive.
There was nothing supernatural in this presentation, but perhaps I missed it. Perhaps you could point to the exact moments so it can be further discussed.
You lost the argument and you’re trying to weasel your way out of looking even worse.
No, giving up entirely. I’ve dealt with enough people like you to recognize when rational argumentation is futile.
Changing the subject, mhm?
Gosh, where on earth do people get that “angry atheist” stereotype from?
You seem to have missed the part of my message where I talked about spiritualist bullshit. Oh wait, you didn’t miss it, you wilfully ignored it.
I just took it for granted that people would assume from that that I don’t buy into any spiritual/religious garbage, but you’re the sort of person who needs things spelled out letter by letter, hm?
In addition to wanting to get away from preaching fucknuts like epstein (who is still a rabbi btw), I also don’t buy into any supernatural crap. Happy now?
Definitionally, atheism is a conclusion that no gods exist based on a lack of any compelling evidence in support of that assertion.
To treat atheism as an exercise in petty tribalism is to reduce it to the level of any other religion.
If you “became an atheist” to get away from certain types of people, I would argue that you did it for the wrong reasons.
In the developed world humanists are in the majority, we’re just called secular. Here is a person who wants to organise those people so we have a voice to promote science and reason. Emotional co-operation feels good pre-dates all the current religions and is found in other higher species too.
Religion= HATE
This preachy jerk calls himself an atheist but still talks like a religious person. He even calls himself a “chaplain”.
Why do I have a feeling he tries to sneak some sort of bullshit spiritualism in the back door?
I became an atheist to get away from people like this.
this man is lost
father epstein, where do i confess? to my shrink?
father epstein, do you also offer communion services?
are you being ironic or idiotic?
By saying this Earth is billions of years old, this man totally discredits himself. Besides, God is the Creator of the Universe.
“I am a moron born without the gift of logic”
Poetry is not a substitute for sound argument.