Margaret Atwood on Religion Part2/3

Atwood Discusses Religion

[@anjanaunnikrishnan8636]

Watching this 17 years later.....better late than never👏👏

[@AlexanderMccarthey87]

This woman has been my idol and my greatest inspiration for decades. Her insight is legendary. It's like the guy said, "I would never argue with Mary Atwood." Her message isn't religious. It's about fascism. It's important to know the difference.

[@kulaniwarner2424]

I think they are intertwined.

[@AlexanderMccarthey87]

@@kulaniwarner2424 Religion and fascism? Maybe. The idea is that religion reflects the culture at the time, but I think there's a correlation. As far as the message of the book goes, she chose religion because it's easy to manipulate and the masses gather behind it, not because she opposes it.

[@whitetrashwarriorprincess]

Shes such a little ray of intellectual light!

[@SeanPFarley]

Holy fuck she's brilliant. I could listen to her speak all day.

[@EDDIELANE]

wow. I wish I had heard her words when I was a little girl, “I wish I could limit god into a persons own realm, and not be use as a weapon against others."

[@Trudeau7900]

I think it is marvelous and fascinating that she links the need for God with the need for language. I will need to think about that for awhile.

[@slooob23]

I am a devout Christian and I have no problem with what she said here, because Jesus said a lot of it Himself

[@samuraichampionz]

Me too.

[@boudicca4841]

Ms Atwood has an exceptional intellect. Always a delight to hear her speak. While I have an unshakable belief in a supreme force & the immorality of the soul , I moved away from "book" religions decades ago as all I saw was a fundamental truth/knowledge manipulated by men to subjugate & control. (That's my view & not intended to offend. I have friends from all belief systems.)

[@mariannalily4888]

You put into words what I always thought myself, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one ~

[@dianemitchell1717]

Human beings are naturally egocentric. They can’t entertain the idea they will not exist after death so they invented is an afterlife. I find it interesting that Jesus said, “Heaven is all around you but you can’t see it.” My idea of god is the miracle of nature but I don’t find it necessary to assume a supernatural entity is responsible. One reason is no supranational god would have created a being with so much inclination for evil and stupidity. Certainly if we’re made in God’s image we have a reason to be terrified.

[@moemboembassie]

God should not be used as a weapon. Well said.

[@pakemfull]

Wow. She takes the guy to task. He should have done his homework! I love when she put religious guys in their place.

[@manuelcampagna7781]

Saying that atheism is a religion is like saying that insomnia is sleep or fasting is eating.

[@melancholiac]

Calling atheism a religion is like saying the TV off switch is a channel.

[@endershepard7117]

1:32 - 2:28 What the both of them say about dreams is very fascinating.

[@gregorybroussard2660]

Atwood did not misunderstand anything. Ask any atheist. He will say, "There is no God." This cannot be proven. Beliefs unfounded by evidence; this is the basis of every religion.

[@melancholiac]

"Ask any atheist"? Ask me, then. I do not say there is definitely no god. How could I know for certain? But I see no evidence for a deity, so I do not subscribe. You do not understand what atheism means.

[@Humblegarden]

I also agree that our semiotic symbolic brains and lack of deep clear understanding of the illusion that is our perception will pretty much always give rise to the magical thinking that results in religion, especially in those people who are never challenged to think deeply in the first instance but, rather, are indoctrinated with a thicket of assumptions and dellusions from birth.

[@SuperbowlJoel]

I enjoyed this discussion very much, except Mrs. Atwood's misrepresentation of atheism. To be an atheist one does not have to claim that they KNOW there is no God or higher power, one simply has to reject the belief in a God or higher power. Any atheist who says they know is just as delusional as a religious person who claims they know too. We are all agnostic when talking about the existence of God, religious people and atheists. I am an agnostic atheist in this sense.

[@outerlimitsurvey]

I was going to point out the same thing Atheism defines what you don't believe in rather than what you do. If anything nobody can really be agnostic. Agnosticism states that ultimate truths are unknowable but this is an ultimate truth so an agnostic can not accept it.

[@svetlanamalikhin8396]

Totally agree. Atheism is absence of belief and not a belief of absence.

[@lazarlapac5103]

She said that too.

[@SumuduVNagodavithana]

Back in the day Atheist meant someone who believed that there was no god today the definition has changed it to a better representation of us.

[@Tony-Blake]

Not believe God = believe NOT God. Further, knowledge is best defined as "justified true belief": thus, a knowledge claim in which lacking belief (agnosticism, atheism) is based on LACK of evidence (justified incredulity) is NOT philosophically equivalent to holding a belief ("faith") despite utter lack of incontrovertible (read, misinterpreted) evidence (religion, superstition).

[@heylookitsnana]

I like how she said that atheism is a religion because it's an absolute stance. I do not believe that atheism should not be imposed onto others (even though I am one).

[@jillsarah7356]

Not all religions recruit. In fact some consider recruiting” against their religion.

[@briancox9357]

Margaret Attwood and Alice Munro are two of the greatest writers of the last 60 years. I find it interesting that a country like Canada, blessed with such intellectual and literary talent, should find itself led by an authoritarian dullard.

[@benscraftymusings]

God is infinitely beyond us both, and religion, and certainly 'mother earth. P.S Praise God

[@cameronr59]

Such a fantastic interview.

[@joejjohnston]

With Atheism though, I think she's incorrect; she's referring to anti-theism. many Atheists say that they wish they were religious.

[@aluckypunk]

Yes, I misread what you had written and replied much too hastily. I apologize, and am glad you enjoyed the video.

[@SkepticalChris]

7:22 Sorry Margaret, Atheism is not a religion. Atheism is a lack of a belief. Atheism makes no claims, it simply states that there is no testable or provable evidence for the existence of any religious truths. It is for the theist to prove the existence of god(s) not for the Atheist to disprove them. It is the one making the claim, who must provide the proof.

[@melancholiac]

Thank you. So many people misunderstand atheism. There is no evidence to support belief in a deity. Therefore, the case is not proven. Any sane court of law would agree.

[@joejjohnston]

yeah. Christopher Hitchens said ' name me one moral decision a christian can make but an atheist can't. He said the only answer he got was excorcisms. He also Said that North Korea is the most theocratic state on earth as you have to be constantly worshipping a leader; one who's been dead for 16 years now. The difference is though, you can escape North Korea through death, unlike Religion which is permanent slavery.

[@tmikaa]

amazing person!

[@MichaelFortner1989]

I disagree with Ms. Atwood's characterization of atheism. Most atheists I have talked to admit that there is no way to test directly for an omnipotent, invisible being, but believe that that if such a being existed, there would be observable effects on reality, since its fair to expect that any god worth worshiping would have an intimate relationship with people and the world around them. I don't think that it is dogmatic to expect evidence for a belief before accepting it as plausible.

[@tempsanity]

As much as I don't dig "Handmaid's tale", I really find her interesting. I would love to see her on one show with the late Robert Anton Wilson.

[@sebby00]

anyone know where this interview is originally from? I need to cite it for an essay on her books. thanks

[@manuelcampagna7781]

Is there any point in trying to prove or disprove Russell's tea kettle orbiting around the sun?

She's not really approaching Revelations in the correct manner. It's a very complex document, and not very much is known about it. And her saying many ppl approach the 'nova daddy' concept may be somewhat true when describing some folks, but I'm betting more ppl have a more sophisticated view of transcedence...

[@FA8T]

The necessity for poetry is not an argument for poetry, not does it hold anymore as an argument for religion. It did for many centuries through sacred art, but I think it no longer applies.

[@caterfalld1177]

Atwood, you're as close to seeing God as I'm going to be on earth

[@FA8T]

The necessity for poetry is not an argument against science, not does it hold anymore as an argument for religion. It did for many centuries through sacred art, but I think it no longer applies.

[@thestoryofagirl17]

Does anyone know the name of the interviewer and the date this was filmed?

[@jbetteridge23]

Bruce Wayne, 1473

[@jillpiacitelli1061]

Bill Moyers. Not sure on year.

[@charliebe28]

The Story of a Girl: ~ I see that your question is from six years ago - , but in-case you are still interested, this interview was from the PBS series "Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason", on its July 28, 2006 broadcast.

[@williambaker3112]

God looking like an old man, the Ancient of Days, actually appears in the Bible, Daniel 7 : 9, 13, 22

[@mellow5123]

You mean thu-ci-de-dies? And "poor-tree"? What is that? I never before recognized how strangely Bill speaks.

[@FA8T]

hence agnosticism and atheism are completely compatible. Contrary to popular belief.

[@benscraftymusings]

no probs!

[@Chamelionroses]

The thing about religion or any other written work can be placed in interpretation wrongly. As I mean what people would call wrong doings to humanity. Then those that do this try to make it seem a righteous way to live and treat others. Even as any power of any kind can become corrupt. Even Anarchy and Atheist beliefs. You may wonder how but I can assure you it is possible for things to go wrong under all ideas. I believe the world would be cured of suffering by now if there were a sure thing.

[@knots1975]

Brilliant.Thanks for uploading

[@Tony-Blake]

Rapture = Resentful Revenge Fantasy

[@greenleaflink]

She has interesting thoughts, I like the points on the old man in the clouds "zeus" "jupiter" which is neat, never thought of that. I guess Agnostic is the way to go. But so many are labeled Atheist

[@FA8T]

Her version of agnosticism interestingly is contradicted by Bertrand Russell. Russell thought exactly because you couldn't prove either way if a deity existed it wasn't worth believing in. If something can't be proven why believe in it?

[@knots1975]

well said

[@mattsager914]

Nova Daddy XD I'm an atheist. Not because I can definitively prove god doesn't exist, but because there is no actual evidence of its existence while there IS evidence to the contrary.

[@bluefirewitch]

There are plenty of other God concepts beside the Biblical ones.

[@benscraftymusings]

Earth is a creation - not a creator, mother or otherwise.

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

isn't it a simulacrum something you make in your mind you believe that you construct?

[@benscraftymusings]

I'm not sure if you're taking to me here? Just replying as I got email saying you replied. I apologise for my (lack of)grammatical skills annoying you - I just can't be bothered with it in such casual forms as this. And I am not aware that I have spoken down to anyone - where is the evidence? I'm simply disagreeing with the woodensaw guy/girl. Anyway, thanks for posting this video as I enjoyed it very much and admire the author.

[@aluckypunk]

Intelligent.

[@greenleaflink]

@sewagedweller Okay Bill O Riley

[@greenleaflink]

Yeah there are alot of people who think it is a "new age" movement lol In some part of the countries it seems to be worse to be a Atheist than a Homosexual

[@SumuduVNagodavithana]

So she is an agnostic atheist, a.ka.a an atheist.

[@darris321]

it is scientific to not believe in god because theres no reason to think there is one in the first place

[@rhondah1587]

I put flowers on my dog's grave and buried her with her favorite things, but that doesn't mean I believe she has an afterlife. Also, I CAN tell you your dreams are not real. It is your brain sorting out things you have taken in and saving the important stuff and discarding what you don't need. That's why you can't remember every minute of everyday of your life. Also I have NEVER hungered for any sort of god. Never felt any sort of need to be a slave to a god, just not a worship oriented being.

[@melancholiac]

I thought exactly the same when she mentioned Neanderthal burial customs: simple respect for someone's memory, rather than belief in an afterlife.

[@Mlutzplus3]

She doesn't understand atheism. It simply means "without theism."

[@ThatCanadianGuy-e1p]

Yes, it rather surprised me that she had the incorrect definition of atheism.

[@walkawayheatherene341]

Kaufman v. McCaughtry

[@someguy-wl1ug]

So much for Canadians being slow eh

[@kingsman565]

Exept that you make the assumption that the original Qur'aan is the uncurrupted word of God, you or I could write a holy book right now and tell people an angel commanded us to recite.

[@jward199]

To Nobodaddy by William Blake Why art thou silent & invisible Father of jealousy Why dost thou hide thyself in clouds From every searching Eye Why darkness & obscurity In all thy words & laws That none dare eat the fruit but from The wily serpents jaws Or is it because Secrecy gains females loud applause

[@Humblegarden]

to me atheism = living without a theology (dogma) and can absolutely encompass a non-dogma based worldview Agnostisism seems to dither a bit much on the question of whether there is or is not a god while atheism can set that red herring conundrum aside and get on with an unfettered existence. I appreciate Atwood's passion tho, as she has been raised in a completely different context than I have.

[@jchristopherman1970]

The Bible is not self - contradictory and there is no schism in it . Holy men wrote it as they were inspired to write by God , the Holy Spirit . Any person who knows Jesus as their own savior knows that his word is perfectly pure . Of course , the books of the Bible were written by different people with different personalities , but it has a perfect continuity . She is really talking about things that she has no idea about because she has no spiritual discernment . Jesus is the Son of God and savior of the world whether she believes it or not . He proved this with the miracles he did , the perfect life he lived and by rising from the grave .

[@pwoods100]

Well, you are talking to an apostate here. Those are simply your beliefs. I reject the bible, because ever since I was young I always knew deep down that it was pure craziness. But I didn't have enough guts to admit it, and as a result spent half of my life lying to myself, finding any excuse I could to keep believing it - to go along with everyone else. Recently, it all came to a head, and I had to admit I never liked reading the bible(it is after all a parade of violence, bigotry, and judgemental passages) , never liked going to church, hated worship, hated prayer and hated being enslaved by the empty minds who are running the whole operation. Holy men were also inspired to write the Koran, and the Hindu vedas, and other countless ancient religious texts. And yes, the bible is one giant contradiction. A God who sees to it that you are born into sin, and if you don't want his cure, then he condemns you. A vile, jealous God in the old testament, and Jesus the nice guy in the new testament. Except Jesus isn't that nice in the end, because he even believes that anyone who doesn't accept him will suffer eternally. Not a very loving God, if you ask me.

[@greenleaflink]

@lolaxian and reading the Koran would prove what?

[@benscraftymusings]

"Earth breeds life everyday, and without trees, you would starve." Yes, how am i disputing that by saying earth is a creation and not the creator? What we're basically saying here - through all our rambling - is that i beleive in God and you don't. or is there more to the equation? or is this frankly annoying you? enlighten me...

[@lolaxian]

@greenleaflink how do you know? have u read the kuran?

[@ThatCanadianGuy-e1p]

She is wrong about atheism at least; atheism doesn't say there is no god, but that there is no good evidence for a god.

[@SisterPatGoad]

The word Rapture is not in scripture! But the meaning is..... A "Catching Up" in the Air, (that is in scripture) is the meaning of the word Rapture as Christians use !!!!

[@THEREIZNOGOD]

i part ways with atwood at her definition of atheism and agnosticism. if you tell me you have an two-ton truck in your pants pocket, and i see that you can't be correct, i will say, there is no truck, period. i don't need to prove the absence of something.

[@sewagedweller]

'sight' Stalin was a superior civilization....... nice one . So one man is civilization . lol

[@THEREIZNOGOD]

you don't necessarily have to believe that there is no god to be an atheist... you just have to be NOT theistic and all that entails it's not so much knowledge, nor belief, but what you subscribe to. i can somewhat play hockey, but i don't play it at all: i'm a non-hockey player. (i don't go around calling myself what i am NOT)

[@thegimprevolt]

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

[@toopeelooo]

hahaha

[@wujiom8283]

Everything you know is wrong

[@gilesderoet]

Iy doesn't like that name :-)

[@sewagedweller]

i wonder if she became feminist to avoid doing dishes ?

[@gregorybroussard2660]

sewagedweller I wonder if you became a prick to avoid being a decent human being?

[@rklaroche]

I was so into Season 1 Of Handmaids Tale...but by the last episode and the 1st Episode of Season Two...I could tell that whomever wrote this was definitely not a person who's had an actual encounter with the Most High Yahua thru His son Yeshua. Shes very intelligent ...articulate and intentionally soft spoken...but she definitely is attacking the Most High God thru discrediting His Son Yeshua...even to the point of saying He really didnt exist. Hope and pray that others with an eye to see and hear to hear will be able to discern this subtle attack on the truth. All the horrible things she subtly alleges are done by anyone who professes faith and believes in Christ are not Christian amongst most Christian groups. There are always froot loops attached to any belief system...doesn't mean she should try to spread works wide fear in the hearts of anyone who is misguided or believes the lies she so stoically conveys. New age beliefs have been around for centuries...she's nothing I've never seen before...but she has a definite agenda shes taken to the masses... with unseen depravity and a level of shock violence that easily traumatizes viewers. This is crap...glad I didnt waste anymore of my time with this satanic programming.