For many years, scholars puzzled over what appeared to be the outline of a hideous figure, cowering in the depths of the ninth cycle of Hell in Dante’s Inferno. Who exactly was that frozen forever in the bowels of the Earth, more lowly even than Brutus, Judas, and even Satan himself?
Of course we now know that what we find there is a vegetarian, caught forever in the act of eating a veggie burger. Why would a vegetarian want to eat a burger?
Surely the last thing a vegetarian would ever want would to sink their teeth into would be something that embodies everything they’ve so proudly rejected? And yet there they are, on every vegetarian menu in the Western world. So we shouldn’t I suppose be too surprised about the latest offering from Alain de Botton, Religion For Atheists which is based on a similarly non-sensical idea. But that doesn’t make it any less lamentable.
Though Swiss by birth, there’s something terribly English about his new book. Religion For Atheists reeks of the same spirit that moves Anglican vicars to so needlessly explain and rationalize the parables in the gospels and the stories in the bible.
We’re not meant to be able to rationally comprehend the mysteries in the bible, hence the name we use to describe them. Their truths are beyond mere human understanding. Ours, famously, is not to reason why. That’s why no one is ever punished for behaving badly or rewarded for behaving well in the Bible. The only thing you’re ever punished for in the Bible is for acting of your own volition.
The one thing that’s demanded of you throughout the Bible, and it’s repeated over and over again, is that you submit your will to the higher and unknowable will of God. That’s what Muhammad understood having absorbed the worlds of Judaism and Christianity, and why he summed up his message with the single word Islam; “submit”.
Your beliefs demand that you make a profound sacrifice. That sacrifice is that you abandon your mere human logic and reason, and submit your will to a higher and unknowable authority.
All you succeed in doing by trying to explain and rationalize the mysteries that underpin that authority is to hopelessly weaken the bonds that bind you and it together. Your beliefs are only as strong as the sacrifices they demand of you.
That’s why Anglicanism is constantly under threat from the twin pillars of Catholicism and Protestantism, and why in contrast to the former, Islam goes from strength to strength.
The sacrifice demanded of atheism, which, some argue, is just a particular strand of belief, is the foregoing of the institutional shelter and communal succour that organised religion so vitally offers.
In its efforts to restore to atheists precisely that which they’ve sacrificed, de Botton’s book demonstrates a failure to understand what belief is for and how it operates, either for atheists or believers. He’s trying to sacrifice sacrifice.
He seems like an affable sort of chap, and when he sticks to arcane corners of architecture, or laymen’s philosophy he can be an engaging if slightly over-eager guide. But his Religion For Atheists bears all the markings of a man with more money than sense, and one who has far too much – and yet not enough – time on his hands.
I’m no longer positive the place you are getting your info, but good
topic. I needs to spend a while studying much more or figuring
out more. Thank you for great info I was on the lookout for this info for my
mission.
Whаt’s ᥙp, always i used to check website posts
here early in the break of day, because і love to learn more and more.
Hellⲟ, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i ϲame to “return the favor”.I am trying to fіnd things to
enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
The internet gives a low-cost barrier to quality marketing but people can’t purchasae from you if they aren’t able to find you.
Mentions are usually accustomed to directly start or jump nto a conversation. And in case you hadn’t notice, infographics
take the Web by storm.
Rather than underqiring they’ll use structured cups to presentt shape and support.
If you also wwant to bbe the most popular chic from tthe
party, then make sure you adopt your pick a qualified sexy Superbowl costumes.
Although there are numerous color choices nowadays, your most elegant plus size lingerie shoulkd stick to the more tasteful neutrals and skin flattering pastels.
I have read so many content regarding the blogger lovers but this
post is in fact a good piece of writing, keep it up.
Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
I do not even know how I finished up right here, but I believed this put up
was once great. I do not realize who you’re however
definitely you’re going to a famous blogger in the event
you are not already. Cheers!
Piękny wpis, generalnie to ma sens, jednakże w kilku
kwestiach bym się kłóciła. Z pewnością sam blog zasługuje na uznanie.
Myślę, że tu jeszcze wpadnę.
طریقۀ خرید در سایت بلیط تریپ
به چه صورت است؟ با فعال کردن رمز دوم کارت میتوانید از کلیهی فروشگاههای اینترنتی خرید کنید.
This paragraph gives clear idea in support
of the new people of blogging, that really how to do blogging.
This post will help the internet viewers for creating new weblog or even a weblog from start
to end.
Fastidious replies in return off this issue wifh genuine arguments
and telling the whole thing on the topic oof that.
Tujuan saya baca artikel pastinya mencari informasi yajg bermanfaat.
Nah sehabis membaca artikel ini saya bisa rasskan sensasi
tersebut.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite
reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing
to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think
about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed
to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the
whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Ich wollte einfach einen netten Gruss da lassen. Bin gerade auf eure Homepage gestossen.
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you actually know what
you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally talk over with my website =).
We can have a hyperlink alternate arrangement between us
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of
valuable know-how on the topic of unpredicted feelings.
Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your
site. Im really impressed by it.
Hi there, You have performed a fantastic job. I’ll definitely digg
it and personally recommend to my friends.
I am confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge
about unexpected feelings.
For latest information you have to visit world wide web and on web I found this site as
a best website for most up-to-date updates.
As long as you’re wanting to improve, your man will appreciate tthe effort.
The world’s number one selling condom brand’s success is attributed to its constant innovation as it resgularly comes up with goods that capture people’s
attention. Women often find it hard to relax when they constantly anticipate that sexual activity will be painful but have reported they don’t
feel this in aany respect only for using the product a number
of times.
Interessante Homepage. Das Design und die nuetzlichen Informationen gefallen mir besonders gut.
I go to see everyday a few web pages and information sites to read
articles, however this blog provides feature based content.
Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing the other person’s blog link on your page at proper place and other person will also
do similar for you.
بلیط ارزان تهران به کیش را میتوانید به صورت آنلاین از با چارتر خریداری نمایید.
http://ba-charter.com/Blog-22292-%D8%A8%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B7-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%B4.html
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded
this onto a coworker who had been doing a little homework on this.
And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him…
lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this
issue here on your site.
–Utility bills: Good tinting wil stop 95-99 percent of harmful UV
rays. If the shop is dirty, thee employees unprofessional as well as the reviews mediocre, you can rely on the fact that quality
tint has not been on top of their list. The Australian Government has been working on legislation which will reward people for
incresingly energy efficient within their homes and offices
orr commercial situations.
It’s actuaⅼly a nice and useful pіece of information. I’m satisfied that
you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to datfe
like this. Thank yoս for sharing.
My web page marc menowitz (Bethany)
Hi there! I understand this is sort of off-topic however I had to ask.
Does building a well-established blog like yours
require a large amount of work? I’m completely new
to blogging but I do write in my journal on a daily basis.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my personal experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for
new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!
my blog: Poker99