Is God dead?
A discourse36 total reviews
Comment from wierdgrace
I certainly hope he is not dead, I have been praying to him all the time, and his angels who are always near by. I know I have a terminal illness, and have painfull days, but my friends and family surfer too. I pray for them and some of my fan story friends, I hope his angels are my my dear friend Martin, who writes on this site a lot, who has parkanson disease. he is a awesome writer, as you are too. I love this and enjoyed it a lot, stay with us lord.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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I certainly hope he is not dead, I have been praying to him all the time, and his angels who are always near by. I know I have a terminal illness, and have painfull days, but my friends and family surfer too. I pray for them and some of my fan story friends, I hope his angels are my my dear friend Martin, who writes on this site a lot, who has parkanson disease. he is a awesome writer, as you are too. I love this and enjoyed it a lot, stay with us lord.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thank you for an excellent review; I greatly appreciate it.
Comment from GregoryC
The phrase, "God is Dead" was first coined in the writings of Fredrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. I want to approach this from a philosophical point of view because that is where it began.
Friedrich Nietzsche is notable for having declared that God is dead and for having written several of his works in the presumption that man must find a new mode of being given the demise of God. Perhaps the most interesting quote on this theme appears in his The Gay Science (aka Joyous Wisdom). A fairly full version of this key quote is set out immediately below:-
"Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market-place, and cried incessantly: "I am looking for God! I am looking for God!" As many of those who did not believe in God were standing together there, he excited considerable laughter. Have you lost him, then? said one. Did he lose his way like a child? said another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? or emigrated? Thus they shouted and laughed. The madman sprang into their midst and pierced them with his glances.
"Where has God gone?" he cried. "I shall tell you. We have killed him - you and I. We are his murderers."
What Nietzsche is concerned at in relating the above is that God is dead in the hearts of modern men - killed by rationalism and science. This same God however, before becoming dead in men's hearts and minds, had provided the foundation of a "Christian-moral" defining and uniting approach to life as a shared cultural set of belief fully within which people had lived their lives.
Nietzsche seems to be suggesting that the acceptance of the Death of God will also involve the ending of accepted standards of morality and of purpose. Without the former and accepted faith based standards society is threatened by a nihilistic situation where peoples lives are not particularly constrained by considerations of morality or particularly guided by any faith related sense of purpose.
Although I am a Roman Catholic and have profound beliefs in dogma and theology, I'm an existentialist at heart. it's a contradiction in terms, of course, and when asked if I believe in God, my answer is, "Most of the time."
Nice essay, Al.
Gregory
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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The phrase, "God is Dead" was first coined in the writings of Fredrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. I want to approach this from a philosophical point of view because that is where it began.
Friedrich Nietzsche is notable for having declared that God is dead and for having written several of his works in the presumption that man must find a new mode of being given the demise of God. Perhaps the most interesting quote on this theme appears in his The Gay Science (aka Joyous Wisdom). A fairly full version of this key quote is set out immediately below:-
"Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market-place, and cried incessantly: "I am looking for God! I am looking for God!" As many of those who did not believe in God were standing together there, he excited considerable laughter. Have you lost him, then? said one. Did he lose his way like a child? said another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? or emigrated? Thus they shouted and laughed. The madman sprang into their midst and pierced them with his glances.
"Where has God gone?" he cried. "I shall tell you. We have killed him - you and I. We are his murderers."
What Nietzsche is concerned at in relating the above is that God is dead in the hearts of modern men - killed by rationalism and science. This same God however, before becoming dead in men's hearts and minds, had provided the foundation of a "Christian-moral" defining and uniting approach to life as a shared cultural set of belief fully within which people had lived their lives.
Nietzsche seems to be suggesting that the acceptance of the Death of God will also involve the ending of accepted standards of morality and of purpose. Without the former and accepted faith based standards society is threatened by a nihilistic situation where peoples lives are not particularly constrained by considerations of morality or particularly guided by any faith related sense of purpose.
Although I am a Roman Catholic and have profound beliefs in dogma and theology, I'm an existentialist at heart. it's a contradiction in terms, of course, and when asked if I believe in God, my answer is, "Most of the time."
Nice essay, Al.
Gregory
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thank you for your review. Your intellectual history is quite sound. I was concentrating on the "God is dead" movement of the sixties, as exemplified by people like Thomas Altizer, of whom most people know from Time Magazine's coverage of the "God is Dead" philosophy.
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I remember reading Altizer when I was in college in the 60s...that's when the term 'Death of God,' really was in vogue...Hegel's dilaectical theology was a prelude. Radical Theology and the Death of God by Thomas Altizer and William Hamilton was the reference source for me. Great stuff Al. keep it coming. There's not enough of this type of scholarship on the site. You're really in your element with topics like this. All the best, Gregory
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Thanks for your reply. The reviews on this have been VERY mixed, so I do appreciate your support immensely.
Comment from starman
There was a lot of dogma in this essay, and it required me to concentrate more than I'd like. However, the subject matter was interesting, and you redeemed yourself with an exceptional quote.
...human responsibility for one's actions is indeed paramount. It is to place importance on what one does rather than what one believes...
Bravo
:)s
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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There was a lot of dogma in this essay, and it required me to concentrate more than I'd like. However, the subject matter was interesting, and you redeemed yourself with an exceptional quote.
...human responsibility for one's actions is indeed paramount. It is to place importance on what one does rather than what one believes...
Bravo
:)s
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thanks for a great review. I am a bit confused, though, where was dogma in this essay? Thanks again.
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It is not meant as a criticism just a matter of fact concerning the parties involved. The word dogma sprung to mind as I read the research-related aspects of your discourse. Not your fault just the way it is. ;)
eg.
Dogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization, thought to be authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted or diverged from. While in the context of religion the term is largely descriptive, outside of religion its current usage tends to carry a pejorative connotationâ??referring to concepts as being "established" only according to a particular point of view, and thus one of doubtful foundation. This pejorative connotation is even stronger with the term dogmatic, used to describe a person of rigid beliefs who is not open to rational argument.
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Thanks for the clarification. So I can avoid this if I send this for publication, what seemed not open for dispute or authoritative? That would be helpful to know, because I don't want this work rejected for publication because it seemed authoritarian.
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If placed in an appropriate journal, I suspect this academic discourse could be published without changing a thing. Your eclectic ruminations are food for thought. On the other hand, if you want to attract a wider audience, then naturally, you need to broaden its appeal by softening the starchy and clincal feel of the narrative.
You are an experienced critic. There's nothing I can say that you're not already aware of. It's just my humble opinion that a more user friendly approach would make this discourse more readable. Perhaps introduce some examples of what you mean. eg. Paint a few picture of actual horrors concerning the holocaust or Sho'ah. Demonstrate your own humanity etc., That way many more would relate to the views you hold.
You could probably write several volumes on the concept of God being dead. Now, I may be giving you ideas. lol
Best of Luck
Stephen
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Yes, I thought about writing for a broader audience, but the "God is Dead" concept arose in academentia, so I decided to keep it there.
Comment from babylonia
you bring up a lot of interesting goodies. i am sure you will be gettin some very interesting reviews. if a judgmental god is all i have to chose from count me out. easy to read and follow. i did see one small spaggie.
it seemed hopeless to believe (drop be)
imagery is excellent. made me smile. keep up the good work~
good luck~
love,
barbara
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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you bring up a lot of interesting goodies. i am sure you will be gettin some very interesting reviews. if a judgmental god is all i have to chose from count me out. easy to read and follow. i did see one small spaggie.
it seemed hopeless to believe (drop be)
imagery is excellent. made me smile. keep up the good work~
good luck~
love,
barbara
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thanks for catching that error. I truly appreciate. I can't proofread my own work to save my life. Thanks also for a great review.
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no worries. LOL i can't seem to get near the checkbook myself. :P it all works out in the end. good job.
love,
barbara
Comment from chaswriter
You have written a very informative and powerful discourse. Though I had to read it twice to absorb the history, I enjoyed the education. Thanks for sharing this concept with us. Charlie.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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You have written a very informative and powerful discourse. Though I had to read it twice to absorb the history, I enjoyed the education. Thanks for sharing this concept with us. Charlie.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thank you for your kind words; they are greatly appreciated. Yes, I know this is a somewhat difficult read, and I appreciate you reading it twice. Thanks again.
Comment from hyway94
I'm not a man who goes to church every Sunday, But I'm a man who believes in God. What you have written here is very good and I think a lot of people should read this. I'm going to make a copy of this and send it to my sister. If that's okay with you. It was great. I find no spag. And the flow was very good. Thank you for letting us read this.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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I'm not a man who goes to church every Sunday, But I'm a man who believes in God. What you have written here is very good and I think a lot of people should read this. I'm going to make a copy of this and send it to my sister. If that's okay with you. It was great. I find no spag. And the flow was very good. Thank you for letting us read this.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Yes, please do send it to your sister, but (my editor insists on this) do know this is copyrighted and I should be given credit. Thank you for such a kind review; I truly do appreciate. I often find my work appeals more to those outside the Church than within It!
Comment from amadan01
This is a very good examination of the question, and the fundamental misunderstandings of the history and philosophy. I am sure there will be some who will want to tar and feather you for 'attacking' their 'Truth' (which just once again points out how things are not understood). The piece is written in a reasonable tone and well supported, with fair conclusions.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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This is a very good examination of the question, and the fundamental misunderstandings of the history and philosophy. I am sure there will be some who will want to tar and feather you for 'attacking' their 'Truth' (which just once again points out how things are not understood). The piece is written in a reasonable tone and well supported, with fair conclusions.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Yes, you understood the tone of the work. If someone does attack the work for not having his or her idea of the "Truth", it just illustrates the accuracy of my observations in the article. Thanks for a great review.
Comment from Gert sherwood
Heelo Alvin, excellent knowing that you taught religion as professor in schools, you know what you are talking about.
Of course(I say) if one is True Christn or any other religion that has Faith; naturally they will believe God is not dead
You have so many things in your essay I didn't know about
thank you for showing me .
Gert
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Heelo Alvin, excellent knowing that you taught religion as professor in schools, you know what you are talking about.
Of course(I say) if one is True Christn or any other religion that has Faith; naturally they will believe God is not dead
You have so many things in your essay I didn't know about
thank you for showing me .
Gert
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thanks for a great review; I truly appreciate it.
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Thank you Alvin, I have number of new postings listed in my portifilo.
Stop by if you get a chance.
I wish you the best of luck
Take care.
Gert
Comment from Teri7
Al, This is a very good essay you have written for this. It is full of great ideas and I do believe in that God that loves and heals. Good luck. Teri
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Al, This is a very good essay you have written for this. It is full of great ideas and I do believe in that God that loves and heals. Good luck. Teri
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Yes, God is Love. Thanks for a good review.
Comment from Penpal
Hello Alvin,
Within this piece you have given us historical reasons for how the aspect of "God being dead" came about, what choices we have, and why a religious understanding of goodness has influenced how God can be seen. Very informative piece, that pertains to the actual meaning of the terms "God is Dead"
I like how you back up your information with history, showing the reader your points with style, and forthright knowledge that makes perfect sense.
Here are a couple of observations for your consideration:
If God had all power, why did God not stop the horrendous evils of the wor(l)d, such as the sexual abuse of children?
Academics rightly saw that(,) in this progression(,) God was indeed dead.
Minor nits, compared to this excellent write.
Sallysaucer
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Hello Alvin,
Within this piece you have given us historical reasons for how the aspect of "God being dead" came about, what choices we have, and why a religious understanding of goodness has influenced how God can be seen. Very informative piece, that pertains to the actual meaning of the terms "God is Dead"
I like how you back up your information with history, showing the reader your points with style, and forthright knowledge that makes perfect sense.
Here are a couple of observations for your consideration:
If God had all power, why did God not stop the horrendous evils of the wor(l)d, such as the sexual abuse of children?
Academics rightly saw that(,) in this progression(,) God was indeed dead.
Minor nits, compared to this excellent write.
Sallysaucer
Comment Written 12-Sep-2008
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2008
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Thanks for the corrections. I did make the first change; I have to ponder the second suggestion; I tend to use the comma too much as it is. Thanks also for a great review. I truly appreciate it.
