To See The World In A Grain Of Sand Or The Hand Of God In A Formation Of Space Matter.

[sandyRoe]

I confess, I haven't the imagination to see them myself. Do you?




http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/hand-of-god-seen-in-space

[naomi24]

Khandro, ha ha! A change of tack. You can't bring yourself to believe that he was an atheist, can you?

[solvitquick]

Dear Khandro,
Dave Allen is a poor example to quote in a religious debate.
Why?
Because he was deliberately enigmatic on the god theory and much else besides. Sure this great comedian specialised in mocking the 2 christian multinational-companies-in-fancy dress ("churches" if you prefer).
However he never mocked god or gods.
Hence we do not know if he did or did not believe in god and would not discuss it. "A practising atheist" is another enigmatic statement meaning nothing. Surely you cannot actively practise a non-belief in something. I don't practise being an atheist, I just am. At best one can reject formal religion as atheists do but still believe in a superior creator and keep quiet about it.
Similarly, his comment "I'm an atheist thank god" was a deliberate contradiction telling us nothing! That aspect was not part of his repertoire, so no statement.
He left no evidence that his church-mockery had anything to do with the division of the island of Ireland and never expressed a view on this!
But you attribute his humour partly in that direction! You are wrong but typically chose to attribute to someone what you personally believe.
Dave Allen had his own agenda and stuck to it even including the reason why he lost part of a finger.
A comedy genius but cleverer than those "celebs" who blabber their way, out of their depth and pay the price.
"May your god go with you" was another classical example of this very private man's distancing himself from those who would chose to
nit-pick by using a totally neutral sign-off. Had he added "if you have a god" that would have put the sentence into a controvercial sphere.
Like Naomi and other atheists, I suspect he too was an atheist but don't believe we will ever know because he did not want us to know.
Good to see you again Khandro,
Carry-on stirring,
SIQ.

[Khandro]

SIQ; For heaven's sake! Though you write at length an essay/obituary on D.A. I have nothing to say in either support or criticism of him, other than to quote one thing he said (Mon. 16:27) with which I concur. Perhaps if I had said there are 1.2 billion people in India, and 1.2 billion religions, it would have been just as apt to my meaning, which, as I concluded; 'everyones take is different' (except of course atheists).

[solvitquick]

Dear Khandro,
That's a big leap from DA to 1.2 billion Indians/religions. Still if you understand it that's OK. Oh, you made 3 (three) posts on DA.
Regards,
SIQ.