Atheist Penn Jillette on proselytization

LordShadowfire · 2023-10-05T00:05:42-04:00

Beliefs - Atheist Penn Jillette on proselytization (Quote) Think about that. This is coming from someone... (52 replies).

I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me along and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?

I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.

Think about that. This is coming from someone who has repeatedly professed an absolute lack of belief in any gods or afterlife. And even he says that if you're a Christian or a Muslim, and you're not actively trying to convince people that heaven and hell are real, you are (at least in your own mind) deliberately and willfully condemning people to hell.

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Axeroberts · 56-60, M

this is coming from an atheist who does not know how it really feels to believe, so his conclusion is skewed. people who believe can be rational and not this irrational belief of believing beyond a shadow of a doubt. he has this wrong. many believers are still rational human beings and understand it is a belief and not a fact. of course there are some people who are not but not everyone as he depicts

BlueSkyKing · M

@Axeroberts

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

@Axeroberts I remember what it was like to be a sincere believer in Jesus Christ. To believe that literally everyone who didn't believe in him would go to hell. Every time I watch someone reject Jesus, it was heartwrenching, knowing as I knew that they would suffer for a literal eternity.

Now, as it turns out, I was wrong, but back when I believed I was right, I would tell everybody about it. Because I didn't want anyone thrown into hell.

Axeroberts · 56-60, M

@LordShadowfire but currently you are not a believer?

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

@Axeroberts I do not believe in Christianity. As far as my belief in gods, it's complicated. I think they exist, but are the creations of humans, at least most of them.

Axeroberts · 56-60, M

@LordShadowfire sounds like you do not have a strong belief. no offense