Reaction to Ricky Gervais on Religion

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[@ukdnbmarsh]

Gervais also once said, whatever country you are born in, its amazing that you are born into the right god

[@TheAxel65]

He's actually paraphrasing something Richard Dawkins once said: How likely is it, that you would have become a Christian, if you were born in India or in Iran? Actually People pick up the believes that are dominant in their culture, their friends and families.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

Right. "God spoke to me." Really? How come he never speaks to someone who grew up in a society or culture in which they never heard of him?

[@onastick2411]

Coincidence?

[@darrylrarmstrong]

@@TheAxel65 beliefs, exactly they are nothing more than that.

[@conorstewart2214]

@@KZbinallowedmynametobestolen another common one is addicts of anything claiming that they found god and he helped them break the addiction, all that actually happened is that some religious figure took advantage of a desperate person in a desperate situation, gave them a little help or scared them and now the former addict will believe anything the religious figure says. How come god doesn’t help addicts that don’t have an interaction with the church or a religious figure? Why is it only after they have been to a church run support group or spoken to someone religious that god decides to help? Almost as if it is nothing to do with a god and is more to do with someone helping you.

[@thesimpsons17]

The argument of destroying religious texts and scientific texts is maybe the best argument I've ever heard, absolutly perfect

[@bojnebojnebojne]

100% accurate

[@DB-qw6xq]

Anyone thinking that Gervais actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@amigang]

Also don’t forget without human invention, like Paper, ink and language wouldn’t exist, and without them technology it be hard to spread the word of god.

[@callanc3925]

That is more about the argument of religion rather than a god though. God can exist in spite of religions all missing the mark and being fictional narratives.

[@guttermanek]

​@@callanc3925....except it can't be proven.

[@saikrishna4829]

"I just dont believe in one more god than you" The best response in a nutshell!!!

[@beach4000]

Not really. No one knows if the Big Bang happened. If it did, it probably happened in a small part of a (ours) Universe that already existed. If I arrive home and find a cake on a cooling tray on my kitchen worktop. No matter that my doors and windows are locked and that my CCTV shows no one, I believe that, rather than the flour, eggs, sugar, butter oven, mixing bowl ect, made the cake, I assume that, someone broke in and baked a cake. Who, how and why, I've no idea.

[@MrAuskiwi101]

Yes the only ones that can be honest about theism are non theists.

[@thergal]

@@MrAuskiwi101 good point, but faith requires you to be dishonest with reality though they go hand in hand :)

[@ashisforreal]

No it's called ignorance

[@thehoogard]

It's not really. It's a glib answer but doesn't get to the hart of it. Being married versus being single is also just 'one relationship less', but there's a huge difference between the two.

[@normanmart7933]

I'm an atheist in the UK and I feel sorry for anyone trying to argue on a rational level about the existence of a god , or that it's a force for good. I also know how lucky I am to be born when I was and to be born in this part of the world.

[@skibboshadow2670]

@normanmart7933. Greetings from Wales, my friend.

[@kristinajendesen7111]

​@@skibboshadow2670My Welsh teachers in school (they were nearly all Welsh in the Midlands in the 60s & 70s), would have been mad at me changing the words to hymns such as, 'At the name of Jesus, my knee will not bow (every knee shall bow). I saw the light, so to speak, around the age of 8 and thought it was nonsense. No more real than The Tooth Fairy or Father Christmas.

[@dustinbridges6831]

You saying you believe a random bunch of chemicals made themselves and then exploded in a way which created the universe and all the planets is just as magical as someone believing there was a design creator who did it. The truth is you don’t know just as much as they don’t knowatheist, who pretend the big bang is exactly how it happened and they’re so confident or just as dumb as people believing in a sky daddy.

[@k.l.7788]

I agree. A finn here. 🇫🇮

[@onastick2411]

I always think a good argument, (futile but fun), is to say, lets assume the least likely scenario is true, and there's some huge etherial intelligence behind it all, he invented the universe, what's that got to do with your particular religion? How, in short do you know, the writings in some ancient book, are anything to do with this unlikely intelligence? How do you know this intelligence is even aware you exist, or cares?

[@stephenochosiete9869]

Agnostic Atheist here, Ricky is a great role model for those who just can’t believe in religions any more.

[@DB-qw6xq]

Anyone thinking that Gervais actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@gusgibsaints]

I'm British...about the same age as Ricky. I love YOUR reaction! You're right, Ricky IS savage in his comedy but underneath it all is a deep thinking and nice man....

[@fabstar910]

Ricky killed it. As always.

[@interghost]

This is how you see how 'angry' religious people get if you dont agree with them. Ricky sticks to fact and you cant fault that.

[@nh3028]

hes not angry

[@TheycallmeMrWonka]

There isn't any anger in this segment?, if that's what you are saying?. Legit I can see Colbert is being affected and it triggers him to a degree but he's not angry specifically. You are correct in that this conversation could very well go badly and Gervais navigates it well.

[@Cybertruck1000]

I'm not a believer but I don't really like to see a major handle in peoples life taken away from them. Decent religious people I'm talking about. It's as if their foundation is being pulled from under them. Having said that, if they want to get into a debate about it then they should be prepared to be enlightened and maybe not in such a way they can't counter.

[@interghost]

@@TheycallmeMrWonka Yeah 'triggered' and 'over defensive' might be better words.

[@interghost]

@@nh3028 ok super 'triggered' then!

[@davida.j.berner776]

The big difference between the way Ricky approached this, and the way most debates happen in the US and on social media, is that he wasn't trying to persuade Colbert that he was right. Nor was he trying to spring a "Gotcha!" on him. (Even though Colbert clearly was!) Instead, he just set out his own belief and why he believed it. He didn't berate anyone for believing something different, or try to persuade them they were wrong. It was just: "You asked me what I believe, so this is it. You're free to believe something else." Damn, I miss the days when that type of discussion was the norm!

[@k.l.7788]

That’s the difference with believers and non-believers. Only one of those try to feed their own opinion to everyone.

[@onastick2411]

Atheism is not a "belief". Atheists are fully prepared to believe in one of the 3000+ gods, aliens or anything else. All we ask for is scientific proof, that and nothing else. Without a replicable experiment its just words. After all, scientific method, demonstrably works, chatting to imaginary people, not so much.

[@jgage2344]

Yea you’re both wrong ,Colbert definitely went over this with Ricky before the show (basically scripted) and as an American atheist I don’t hold back my opinion of others fake beliefs!

[@Ian-if2lf]

@@k.l.7788 you are right, Religion teaches that you should try to ''save'' people i.e. make them believe what you believe, if you are not doing that then you are not doing your religious job right?, Brainwashing is built into the script of the con .

[@Miblive]

@@jgage2344 As we can see by the beginning, "You're both wrong". Yea, you clearly don't hold back your "opinion".

[@wettuga2762]

I've never seen this interview, but the "I believe in one less God than you" and the destruction/recreation of the bible vs science books were brilliant responses that I'll use from now on.

[@callanc3925]

Those arent really about god though. Theyre about religions. Religious people believe in some sort of god, and athiests believe there is no such thing. Religious people simply believe that their religion describes that god and other religions dont describe it. Thinking of god in religion as an individual is a fallacy. God is a super natural power that people tend to personalise to make the concept easier to grasp. Its not that each religion has its own god, its that each religion is attempting to describe god and they all end up with fairly different descriptions.

[@wettuga2762]

@@callanc3925 Well put 👍

[@respectfullyrazerian2154]

​@@callanc3925 The only way to define a god is with your definition of them and the religions teach the character of him via a book they believe to be the truth. Atheists often aren't talking about god the multilayered undefined phenomena because there is no definition for the possible creator for us to see or believe or disbelieve in there's no defining words or facts for this force people call god where as the organized groups of faithful believers have a more concrete being for us to be forced hearing about and talking about why we don't believe in that particular god, as opposed to say Zeus who no one cares about anymore so we don't have to debate about Zeus.

[@toyman9642]

A sentence by (I believe) the great author Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain really says it all. He stated, "religion began when the first con artist met the first naive fool."

[@ant13665]

rogue not con artist

[@Rip2UDude]

Gervais is the man, I like how he can calmly debate this topic respectfully and with logic.

[@doilysimpkin6972]

The question "why/how is there something rather than nothing" is such a bogus question. We don't have any examples of 'nothing'. We don't even know that 'nothing' is possible. In fact, i don't believe 'nothing' IS possible, because if it were, it would exist and if it exists, it's 'something'.

[@hayvenb]

Well, just because we give an idea a name, it doesn't really affect the properties of said idea. The idea in mathematics of 0 exists, we have named it. It's still nothing. Then when you think about dark matter in physics or the general idea of space or void it still rings true. But it is true, to some degree depending on the what we are weighing against nothing, the nothing can be measured, as in voids between places or silence in time. Shit gets complicated.

[@WolfHeathen]

Exactly. "Nothing" is simply not existing. We can't know about things that have never existed. We can't know what they are and we can't explain why they don't exist because we don't know about them in the first place. That's basically what the concept of "God" is. It's something we can't prove has ever existed and therefor it's nothing. It doesn't exist.

[@callanc3925]

@@WolfHeathen Thats circular reasoning mate. We cant know of things that never existed, that doesnt mean things that we know nothing of have never existed. We discover things every day that, up until that day, we had no knowledge of. That doesnt mean they didnt exist until we discovered them.

[@respectfullyrazerian2154]

​@@hayvenb Technically speaking 0 still exists as being represented as a number so you have a symbol for nothing making it something. Nothing isn't an absence of value it's absolute non existence and you can't view that in anyway.

[@AlexanderMedwin-fk4hj]

Never seen You two so quiet. lol. You guys show is as Awesome as always.

[@retired4365]

Watch Ricky and Stephen Fry talk, very smart talking points.

[@David-xi7jj]

A conversation between two atheists is not very enlightening.

[@sideboob6851]

​@@David-xi7jj Critical thinking is something you find boring?

[@skibboshadow2670]

@@David-xi7jj. I bet you are projecting your own inadequacy here......

[@SkellyJay31]

@@David-xi7jj I'd say two people delving deep into philosophical discussions, ethical considerations, and critical examinations of this topic without the influence of religious doctrine is actually very enlightening.

[@kokemon84]

Colbert was not being smart here

[@AJ_Evo]

Stephen Fry on God is also a good video. Well thought out, respectfully put and worth watching.

[@DB-qw6xq]

It was a thoroghly nasty thing that Fry said, this is what atheism becomes, aggressive and abusive!

[@AJ_Evo]

@DB-qw6xq "Aggressive and abusive" . . . As opposed to the beacon of composure and tolerance that Christianity is?

[@ChrisKilluminati]

Ricky dropping BARS! Shout out to Tasha dropping some BARS of her own. Saying they don’t get offended that you don’t believe in god, but rather they get offended that you don’t believe in -their- God while they also don’t believe in any others was so good!

[@TheycallmeMrWonka]

Part of the problem and you are doing this right now, is that you've gone into "gotcha" mode. Drop the mic, I win. That doesn't work well at all. He spoke, he didn't get self righteous about it, there was no smugness to any of it. He just sat, explained as calmly as he could, listened to what Colbert was saying, thought then gave the most suitable answer to what's been said. There's little point in going in with sleeves rolled up as you trigger them, they trigger you, and in the end there is no actual engagement, it's just "they this" "you that".

[@ChrisKilluminati]

@@TheycallmeMrWonka Calm down friend. I simply pointed out that I appreciated Tasha’s point. I liked the way she worded it. I didn’t participate in a “gotcha” or be self righteous. Simply appreciated someone’s take. If you believe in God. Any god, and it helps you navigate life, then good for you. Religious people calling other people “self righteous” is a bit funny to me, but do you. That’s the difference between religious people and non religious people. Religious people are like vegans. It’s not good enough that you are religious/vegan and believe in a God/eat only vegetables and no meat, you have to try and convert others to your beliefs. Agnostics and atheists are like the meat eaters. We don’t picket with signs or knock on your door about it. We just want to be left alone. If you don’t want to eat meat, then that’s fine. More meat for the rest of us. Just be vegan and let other people live their life. If you believe in a God, then again, that’s good for you. Just leave the rest of us alone. ✌️

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

Thank you to the lady for saying _"Let him finish!"_ at 2:22 which was exactly what I was thinking!

[@dogtrainerjen]

I appreciate that they’re willing to debate without declaring the other a lunatic. 😂😂😂 Well done!

[@lidewijvos]

Steven Colbert was very condescending with the whole gratitude question. It all stems from a deep extremist belief that atheists can't have a moral compass because that's is given by religious.

[@anibaldk]

"You deny one less god than I do" That's just an extraordinary response.

[@traviscue2099]

I always forget that America is a religous country. Here in Australia its not really a thing, and if you are religous you keep it to yourself because its considered rude and weird to talk about in social settings.

[@paulrichards6894]

europe the same....when will the americans catch up

[@piggehz]

Ricky Gervais is probably the perfect dinner guest. Can be funny when the mood calls for it, and has something interesting to say on more serious stuff.

[@-R.Gray-]

This wasn't their first time discussing this. Stephen's line about Satan raping Ricky was referring to a story Ricky told on one of his specials about a hate tweet he got from a Christian. It's called "A Weirdo Trolled Ricky Gervais But Truly Missed The Point | Netflix Is A Joke". Another viewpoint with some interesting, funny ideas is "Jim Jefferies - Heaven And Hell".

[@jackwhitbread4583]

I love Jim's stand up on religion. The Jim Jeffries show was gold too

[@spacedman2868]

Any being in existence that demands unconditional love admiration and worship at the threat of burning is quite simply put, a tyrant, a bully, and a dictator who doesn't deserve any.

[@blacbraun]

And clearly mad made or more suitably man made up.

[@zachromero5637]

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, that you shall live. Deuteronomy 30:19 In my father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

[@jackwhitbread4583]

​@@zachromero5637fk your evil God, keep that wickedness to yourself. Any being who creates a hell to punish people eternally for finite crimes is beyond wicked and you should be utterly ashamed of worshipping such an abjectly evil entity.

[@chuckyboy6977]

I don’t really like trump much either.

[@callanc3925]

If you created the whole universe can you honestly say you wouldnt have an ego about it?

[@ct5625]

If belief in God comes down to "I want to express gratitude toward something for my existence" then you only need to look under your feet. Without this planet we wouldn't exist. If you feel you have to worship and revere something in thanks to your existence, how about starting with the physical planet on which we all live?

[@onlycrazy7258]

Belief doesn't come down to this, it comes down to believing that if there's a creation there's a creator and that God created us and he sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay the ransom for our faults and then came back to life to show that he is the way the truth and the life and the only way to God is through him. (John chapter 14 verse 6) Gratitude comes once we believe because that's the response we have as Christians towards such grace.

[@kickthunt4239]

LOL, ofc everyone was created, created by your parents doing the deed @@onlycrazy7258

[@WolfHeathen]

@@onlycrazy7258 Then christians should switch to worshipping chemistry because chemistry is the reason for everything. The combination of different elements is the reason for why we're all here.

[@onastick2411]

The planet is a lump of rock with stuff on it, quite possibly the same as millions of other planets with stuff on them, nothing exceptional or worthy of reverence. It's rock and stuff, it doesn't care or know anything.

[@covrtdesign5279]

@@onlycrazy7258 Yeah, that worked...

[@JBW27]

I should just point out that Japan's native religion, Shinto/Shintoism, claims there are 8 million Kami (divine spirits), hence the Shinto phrase Yaoyorozu no Kami (八百万の神, meaning "Eight Million Gods"). Hinduism also lists many, many forms of God, not to mention the thousands of variations of Christianity throughout history. Between all the religions throughout human history, there are literally millions of Gods, spirits, divine beings, prophets etc. The chances of picking the right religion, and then the right variety of said religion, are as slim as winning the lottery - and that's presuming that there's even a 'Jackpot' to begin with.

[@TheCornishCockney]

Succinctly put.

[@HenrikJansson78]

I'm thinking that if there was a god who created it all, he would most likely want us to use these amazing brains he gave us, and not just blindly believe in some 2000 year old book written by people who knew nothing of the world. So my guess is that if there is a god, he is probably on the atheists side. :)

[@onastick2411]

I find it interesting, that all religions appear to be the same really, they have a boss God, and then lots of lesser gods, and a martyr/prophet, and then demi gods: Hercules, Saints, Martyrs, Mystics, depending on the religion. It's like its a pre programmed thing, that certain humans have within them. Some sort of evolutionary template in the brain.

[@georgejackson3570]

😂😂😂

[@BlueSuress]

Billion names of God!!

[@colinallison9163]

Ricky is a very intelligent guy and you need to be intelligent to be funny, this was an amazing argument against religion in the most respectful way. It also flies in the face of those who follow blindly. It's a natural human characteristic to question things and also very healthy

[@seansmith4880]

I love this reaction so much.

[@petergabriel1606]

The 'just on more' is a quote from Richard Dawkins.

[@freebornjohn2687]

If you want to watch a debate on religion you can take a look at: The Catholic Church is a Force for Good in the World on youtube. It has two Catholics against Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry. Its a proper debate lasting 2 hours so wouldn't be suitable for a reaction but I think you would find it very interesting.

[@sideboob6851]

I watched that also. Very good debate featuring two titans of critical thinking.

[@nagaslrac]

There’s also the Tony Blair & Hitchens debate where Blair’s only argument was, the Bible says so. It made me wonder how he became PM.

[@BrianMcGuirkBMG]

That is well worth a watch.

[@paulyeomans850]

I wonder what twat wrote the bible 🥴😆🤭

[@robertopistone1179]

I love your take and reactions to Ricky. Spot on. You have a wonderful, smart daughter sir.

[@tntreactions]

He’s my husband…

[@wandawarthog5724]

Ricky is a very intelligent person.

[@DB-qw6xq]

So was the atheist Stalin!

[@prnothall9302]

Both of those points pointed out by Ricky Gervais, make so much sense and must make any religious believer just think a little.

[@callanc3925]

As an athiest, i doubt it. Religion works upon the idea that there is some super natural power labelled "god." Each individual religion then attempts to describe this power in their own way. Someone being christian doesnt mean they dont believe in 2999 gods. There is only one. They believe their religion describes god most accurately and that other religions dont.

[@davecharlton1995]

Drop the Mic. This ends all religious debates.

[@jazzx251]

Colbert really likes Ricky - I think this is one of several shows in which he invites Ricky on to specifically discuss religion A brave move, because Ricky owns him every time One of my favourite Ricky stand-up routines is when he minutely picks apart Genesis: "... and on the 4th day, God created the sun and the stars ..." "... which means, for the first 3 days, He was WORKING IN THE DARK!.. AMAZING!"

[@DB-qw6xq]

Owns him 🤣. Anyone thinking that Gervais actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@Rip2UDude]

I don’t have any Ricky Gervais recommendation but I have noticed that u haven’t seen any Lee Evans comedy. A very funny Brit comedian who is absolutely crazy! I recommend u try get to ‘Trying to get home from the pub’ and ‘Strong women and carrier bags, Lee talks shopping’. I’m pretty sure u guys will love him as he is another Brit Comedian Legend

[@TheycallmeMrWonka]

I've generally lightened up about the whole God/religion thing. If people want to have their personal belief and it gives them comfort then im not going to get in their face about it. Obviously there are times when the conversation is going to happen but people don't need to be going off on one about it. Im not saying Gervais is doing that here, hes been asked and he's reaponding honestly (incase someone takes that as me saying Gervais is going off).

[@TheOicyu812]

You both need to react to George Carlin's "Religion is Bullsh*t". It's a masterpiece!

[@Jbissful]

It’s been done. Look it up.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

And you need to watch Jim Jefferies and Tim Minchins bits on religion.

[@DB-qw6xq]

Anyone thinking that Gervais actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@loireloire482]

Ricky’s internal Monologue: “DONT JUST READ ONE BOOK. READ TWO FUCKING BOOKS” 😂

[@GenuineUntelligence]

Atheism is a belief system in the exact same way that "off" is a television channel.

[@mirr1984]

The first question that Colbert asked about why there is something as opposed to nothing can be answered through the principle of Murphy's law. The universe exists because it can. A void which functions on certain properties, i.e. physics and chemistry, allows for the cosmos to exist.

[@googelle7555]

Stephen wasn't taking it personally. He is a devout Catholic but openly welcomes opposing views for the intellectual discussion. It's why he complimented Ricky for making that religious/scientific texts argument.

[@ThomasAllal]

I grew up Mormon and officially left during the covid time. I used to be almost scared of hearing agnostic people because their logic matched more my personality than my own religion. Now that I'm an agnostic myself. It's refreshing hearing people like Ricky. His show afterlife helped me go through this hard time. Leaving a strong belief system and your only social circle is no joke. Made a video about mormonism on my Channel.

[@barrywedge1459]

As an English atheist myself i agree with Ricky

[@Jack-lk7wk]

Something that ive noticed with british comedians is they tend to be very intelligent are very rational and ask the world very difficult questions and they more then likely have adhd and were probably a nightmare for their teachers

[@MikeTheBike58]

Ricky does have a degree in Philosophy

[@chrisb2409]

Come on guys, ricky has a degree in philosophy so he will always tie up people like this in debates of this nature 😂

[@MrJimithee]

I love that Tasha said that's her favourite Ricky bit... It bugs me that he's always refered to as "most offensive" or "controversial" on KZbin

[@SiLaChaCha]

Exactly how I feel💚

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

"Why is there something instead of nothing?" "Why is there a god instead of no god?"

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

So annoying believers always go there.... assume there isma god, stop thinking, and accuse us from not being open minded....... aargh

[@sickturret3587]

thanks for checking this out. most people avoid this video. cheers.

[@Beerglass1980]

Exactly!!🍻

[@mitchdaytonam3]

Religion is a small blip in the history of this planet, it’s been around for a few thousand years, it’ll be around for a few hundred or a thousand more. However in the 4 billion years this planet has been around it’s just be a small bit of nonsense.

[@scottmoquin]

There are no athiests in hell.

[@peterbuckby7319]

Only politicians

[@stewrmo]

There is no hell.

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

Try harder Scott. prove hell exists first then prove hells of other religions than yours dont

[@BrianMcGuirkBMG]

The Roman Catholic Church recently declared that there is no such place as purgatory. Only two more imaginary places to be revealed as such to get to the truth.

[@glennpryce7281]

Nope .because he’ll does not exist

[@LouShirley]

Oh my gosh, the interrupting! Ricky has more patience than me. I'd be telling him to mind his manners I'm sure he was taught as a child

[@Zachary-tf1bp]

I believe it’s acceptable to interrupt someone if they’re yapping incoherently. Not sure why you’re supporting this uninspiring and unintelligent man. Try being open minded for once.

[@dearbhlakerr6497]

Right. Anyone who shuts someone down! Can't. Back up their argument

[@BoothTheGrey]

No - there are enough situations where you need to go on and shut folks down who just make trouble. And it doesnt matter if its an atheist or a christian or whoever. Especially in public you cant let anybody speak in any situation. You need some sort of rules. And sometimes people have to be shut down - not because of WHAT they say, but HOW they are putting themselves in a certain situation.

[@Originalroninstorm]

You should see the video of Stephen Fry debating a Priest. Very interesting.

[@stephanhamilton2083]

Comedians are geniuses, plain and simple.

[@DB-qw6xq]

Anyone thinking that Gervais actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@WolfHeathen]

That would explain why Colbert isn't much of a comedian.

[@denischabot2440]

They discussed this multiple times including the ref about Satan rape which is based on a tweet Ricky got at the time… There is always a lot of respect between the 2 of them as there always was.

[@mikefufuffalo8487]

You should watch more of Ricky discussing this. There's more. He has excellent points

[@marksmith7789]

Colbert was ignorant, angry, not very nice and got his ass kicked! I didn't realize Colbert was such a jerk to be honest but I noticed as soon as he looked like he was going to be made to look a complete fool and audience had turned against him he stopped the interview. Ricky Gervais is one of favourite people on the planet because he deals in facts, science, reality and make it funny while he educates morons.

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

I'm old enough to remember when Stephen Colbert was funny

[@clee3133]

I'm old enough, but still can't recall that ever happening.

[@EvilZ2009]

I think that Ricky was being gentle as he has a Carl Sagan Approach which is to recognize that some people will not wish to see reality for what it is and going gun blazin will not change the situation. This is wher ei love hearing form individuals such as Ricky Gervais, Carl Sagan, Stephen Fry versus to Richard Dawkins that goes to deep and burn bridges...

[@Blue.723]

One of the best things I've heard Ricky say on this subject is.. "I'd like to thank God for making me an atheist."

[@TheNicoliyah]

😂

[@GetZappéd1974]

I like the one where he points the backward spelling out: "I believe in dog!" They love you more than they love themselves. They don't punish you.

[@chops6416]

Looking at this from the UK, I didn't pick up on any tension. Ricky and Stephen know each other pretty well.

[@shaneheff5244]

There was tension from Stephen when Ricky's answers easily dealt with his questions.

[@Wooster77]

Gervais clearly won this "debate." I previously thought Colbert was kind of intelligent, for a talk show host.

[@Vaping-AnxietyPT]

Ricky is a human with his imperfections and good points, like any other human being. With a good common sense and knowledge of what surrounds him, good and funny guy. I share his opinion about god/s and reincarnation etc... we're just here once, the memory of those who crossed path with us is what will make us "alive" again.

[@onastick2411]

""alive" again.,", the firing of a few synapses in a certain pattern in someone's brain, gradually fading into oblivion, makes you "alive again"? I don't think so. Relatively speaking, anyone who has a memory of you will soon have ceased to exist as well; some immortality, some life.

[@Vaping-AnxietyPT]

@@onastick2411 It's up to the people who cared, loved, admired etc...and future generations, to make sure your presence among us never cease. As long as there's life, there will always be a way to remember those who passed.

[@Shalltear773]

​@@Vaping-AnxietyPTnot really. Entropy claims all in the end no matter how much effort is put into preserving a memory. In time, every nation today will disappear and be forgotten just like the names and memory of every person that lives today will be forgotten in an even shorter amount of time.

[@teachoc9482]

Gervais is like a genius on this. Cool. Comedians are really good at cutting through the b.s.. I reacted just like you guys did. :)

[@DH-rj2kv]

"I have the strong desire to direct my gratitude towards something." Understandable. But you _are_ aware that your desire, however strong it may feel or be, does not actually make the thing you desire actually exist? My daughter (4 years old) has a _very_ strong desire to have a flying unicorn. It is cute, I love her to bits for her wild and beautiful imagination. She will have to come to terms with the fact there is no such thing eventually. She might write the most beautiful books about fictional unicorns to share here dreams, but would be pretty odd if at age 40 she still expected to find that unicorn and would try to convince everyone around her it that is is real.

[@disasterincarnate]

if stephen wants to direct his gratitude to something for being alive and who he is, he has to look no further than his parents.

[@Erik-op2hy]

Science only moved really forward when the church lost control over everybody. Religious people mostly can’t accept or won’t want to hear that we don’t know if there is a God. There is 0 proof. It should be called hope instead of religion I get why it is so appealing to believe in a heaven and angels etc. You want to believe that you can see your family again after they died..

[@Home8rew]

I noticed that when he was introduced as an atheist, the ripple of applause was interesting - almost like a bit of catharsis that something that is outside the mainstream was getting a long overdue public airing. I’m aware that, if a US politician publicly said they were atheist, their career would be toast. Colbert felt it was important to state his own faith for what I reckon were much the same reasons. What a tricky tightrope to have to walk on a daily basis. Glad the same pressure disappeared in the UK (& in Europe) some time ago.

[@demonsorrows]

Any stance that requires the cancellation of its own claims against itself to function is not a stance that rational people make. "How is there something rather than nothing if there wasn't a god who created it?" -If nothing can exist unless something created it, who created the god? "They've always existed. They're a god." -So the ONLY way your interpretation of the universe and existence can be put on the table, is if you immediately ignore YOUR OWN argument with special pleading/get out of jail free card, trying to bypass your own argument because you know your own belief doesn't hold up to it, but deny that same privilege to other religious gods and beliefs because they're not yours. It's a blatant double standard. It could be applied to any of the another 3000+ gods and would be just as dishonest as you can't prove any of them do or don't exist.

[@wizardsuth]

Why do apologists who ask that question assume nothingness is the default?

[@demonsorrows]

@@wizardsuth Mostly because we all grow up in a world with cause and effect being the most obvious thing. As a species, our history, people preferred to make things up rather than just accept they didn't know. It's foundational to all religions that there HAD to be a cause that "makes sense" of things specific to their part of the world and what their people already had as rules, myths to explain why those rules of the world exist, etc. They're all "the chosen people" of their gods, the original humans blessed/created by the original cosmic beings, etc.

[@callanc3925]

There is no 3000+ other gods. There is 3000+ other religions, all of which are trying in their own way to describe a supernatural phenomenon labelled as "god".

[@Sundablakr]

@@callanc3925 God of the gaps more accurately, societies create religions when they can't explain something. The human need to know is so powerful that they'd rather make something up in order to explain a phenomenon rather than say they don't know. There is a reason all religions came from a time before the scientific method started explaining why things happen. We stopped creating gods and instead realised we now have the tools to figure things out ourselves, we have no need to handwave it away when we can just figure it out.

[@callanc3925]

@@Sundablakr There have been loads of new religions since the dawn of the scientific method brother. Do your research before saying stuff

[@danmayberry1185]

Great reaction. I'm all in with Gervais on this, but if people take guidance or comfort from something I don't believe in, good for them!

[@DB-qw6xq]

A very simplistic and ignorant statement!

[@danmayberry1185]

@@DB-qw6xq Simplistic would be 'my way is the right way'. Did I say that?? Why don't you enlighten me from my ignorance and say something nuanced and well informed?

[@nairdacnalbel]

you can try to offend somebody, OR try to communicate with them. doing both at once is kinda impossible.

[@TheDylls]

Colbert has strong, unshakeable belief... But he has no problem truly engaging and understanding someone else's perspective. The tension you're feeling is actually an old Colbert schtick! No matter what he believes in, he will take the exact opposite stance - giving some popular talking points - and really set the guest up to have some great rebuttals ❤

[@TheMad18dog]

love this

[@Simon-hb9rf]

if you are really interested in this topic there is a fantastic conversation between Ricky and Stephen fry on the topic of atheism and the massive difference in how they have been received as atheists by British and American audiences (you can guess which one sent them death threats)

[@uranusismightybig5111]

Pink Floyd, Monty Python and Douglas Adams....are the Holy English Trinity. God bless England and the English for what they have given humanity! Cheers from Sweden 🍻🇸🇪❤️ 🇬🇧🖖

[@Paul_Allaker8450]

You should watch Ricky & Richard Dawkins on religion, very insightful. Great reaction guys. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@DB-qw6xq]

Anyone thinking that Gervais (or Dawkins) actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@jimpalmer9263]

My observation is that most religious people can’t be bothered to develop their critical thinking beyond Pascal’s wager. Thankfully it’s already a minority interest in the UK: fewer than 5% regularly attend church and is falling further every year.

[@wizardsuth]

If they accept Pascal's Wager they're not engaging in critical thinking. It's an Appeal to Consequences fallacy, i.e. that you should accept a claim not because the claim itself is justified but because accepting it provides some benefit or prevents some harm. The fact that the alleged benefit and harm both depend on the claim being true makes it even worse.

[@botticellirejectbotticelli2668]

I think there is a correlation between the demise of church attendance and the creation of the Welfare State. People no longer had to ask for alms if they became sick. The US continues to be ‘God fearing’ because they do not have Universal health care and are heavily reliant on their church communities. That is a big reason that the right in the US do not want to see ‘free’ healthcare, they know the churches would gradually empty.

[@Anvilcjl]

I didn’t really feel like Colbert was offended at all. He’s playing devils advocate to help Ricky get his point across.

[@arablues4142]

I think your wrong, about helping Ricky get his point across, the dude is like a die-hard Christian fanatic

[@gravyjamable]

Watch Sean Lock and another worth mentioning is Bob Mortimer both excellent in U.K. comedians ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[@paulbromley6687]

It’s a shame more people can’t discuss all the important topics with this level of intelligence and knowledge while remaining respectful of others. Never was it as important as now.

[@peterd788]

Ricky actually thinks about things. An awful lot of people simply repeat things. It doesn't really matter whether you agree with him but you know he's actually thought about what he's saying.

[@maz.6525]

I love Ricky. Also so glad he is a voice for animals. Wish all has his mindset. Watch the arq of Noah piece by Ricky. It’s the best ever.

[@mikeymikeFType]

Well for my part , I died briefly in Oct 2022 and there wasn’t anything. I had cpr and all I remember was a continuous, no interruption at all.

[@tylercarrell]

I died 9-10 months ago, and can confirm there was absolutely nothing, i died while driving (felt just like passing out) and the next thing i know I’m on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance… there is no afterlife and no sense of time passing

[@mikeymikeFType]

@@tylercarrell . I’m hoping there is an after life. Apparently there’s at least 15 minutes of oxygen left in the blood supply before all is lost,maybe I hadn’t gone long enough to have passed over. Clutching at straws here maybe?

[@rossshepherd9836]

Every religious person concedes. They have to. How does a human prove the unprovable? Mental.

[@governmentflu81]

its a great discussion.

[@chefskiss6179]

If you're ever looking for another brit comedy show to react to, PLEASE do try Coupling. 😂

[@_alifeallmine_]

I would never deny anyone their Religious beliefs, who am I to declare myself their Saviour. I went through the full gamut of guilt ridden, corporal punishing Catholic Schooling through the 70s and 80s, and I’m not Religious at all. But I know people who get comfort from it, not the guilt ridden version of old of course, but it helps them function, and they don’t preach or try to sell the idea, it’s just for them. Mutual respect on both sides, it’s not that hard.

[@TheNicoliyah]

Agreed

[@laixi4904]

Ricky Gervais is very smart and very well educated person (I think he has graduated from philosophy with honours award), on the top of this he is very polite (sometimes intentionally he is British polite which really means savage sarcasm). People not knowing those fact see him as "funny guy" - he is so much more.

[@DB-qw6xq]

Anyone thinking that Gervais actually has anything either true or revelant to say about "religion" (what does this mean!?) must read David Bentley Hart's Atheist Delusions. The reality is that Gervais doesn't actually know what he is arguing against, and this is observed in many writings about the problematic statements that many New Atheists use to try and attack "religion". Ricky Gervais repeats over and over again that old atheist slogan "I believe in one less God than you' (?) to which Hart replies that anyone thinking that this is actually a relevant statement shows 'deplorable ignorance of elementary conceptual categories'.

[@SirHilaryManfat]

To be honest, I think it's fair play to Colbert for allowing Ricky to question Colbert's beliefs on his own chat show. Much as I don't believe in God or religion, I respect anyone with faith who's open to discussion and criticism. If someone's faith is strong enough, then they should be comfortable to have it challenged.

[@Shmoobins]

Not a lot people seem to know, but Ricky has a degree in philosophy. That explains a lot when it comes to his arguments

[@abdedzhdadyogi]

Hello from Croatia❤️

[@fionaparkinson3821]

I’m just an atheist. I have heard that whole “sparrow flying through a room” rubbish. The difference between me and the religious crowd is, they’re still trying to catch the sparrow and make it talk.

[@caroldelaney4700]

That interview was very painful.I don’t think the presenter had a leg to stand on.he was far too antagonistic.

[@jose-Maki]

You could tell the host was triggered form the start and at the same time i could also tell Ricky's iq was also double

[@maroondoor]

I love seeing good couples 👍🙂😃

[@666ingz]

The "Satan will be r**ing you", after jumping out a window was in reference to suicide (supposedly) being a sin. Hence going to the 'Hell'.

[@PaulK-ve1pu]

Giving offence is not something Ricky worries about, nor should he. I've always thought we should respect people's right to have a view, but not necessarily to respect the view itself. There is a difference.

[@TheLastCrumb.]

The sad thing is if this conversation happened in modern Britain he'd be reported for hate crimes.