Alec
This book came to me at the right time in my life, and it came through a random, recent interview of Mr. Fugelsang by Richard Wolff. I loved his way of speaking and the message he brought, so I gave it a chance.
In my childhood I went through Catholic religious studies by random chance. My mom who was Orthodox, asked me if I want to go to Protestant or Catholic classes in school. I picked Catholic, because I thought it sounded cooler. That's literally it.
At around 12, I became an atheist. The story of the Abrahamic all-knowing and yet vengeful God made no sense to me, and it still does not. I loved arguing with people about it and watching skeptic content on YouTube. A few things have made me soften a little on the subject however, like the album Geogaddi, Stalker (1979) and most recently "Wake Up, Dead Man" by Rian Johnson, with the last one on the list flooring me with a strange wash of emotions and thoughts before I went to bed. I (think I) believe now, but what I believe in is the power of the idea of Christ, a good shepherd trying to reach those who have lost the way, a kind and merciful figure who helps without expecting anything back.
And so, reading this was quite cathartic, very close to tears multiple times. Seeing the unrecognizable shape of hatred and power-lust that has insisted on itself being Christianity, be disentangled and returned to its basic form, the teachings of a compassionate advocate of human decency and social justice: I did not not know I needed, but wow, I really did.
Being a comedian while still showing warmth and kindness is a hard tight-rope to walk, but Mr. Fugelsang does it easily. I like Carlin, but I wouldn't have wanted to grab a beer with him, but the author here just seems like a super level-headed and well-read guy. I loved listening to him in the audiobook form and can recommend it as a way of experiencing the book.
Originally posted at www.youtube.com.
This book came to me at the right time in my life, and it came through a random, recent interview of Mr. Fugelsang by Richard Wolff. I loved his way of speaking and the message he brought, so I gave it a chance.
In my childhood I went through Catholic religious studies by random chance. My mom who was Orthodox, asked me if I want to go to Protestant or Catholic classes in school. I picked Catholic, because I thought it sounded cooler. That's literally it.
At around 12, I became an atheist. The story of the Abrahamic all-knowing and yet vengeful God made no sense to me, and it still does not. I loved arguing with people about it and watching skeptic content on YouTube. A few things have made me soften a little on the subject however, like the album Geogaddi, Stalker (1979) and most recently "Wake Up, Dead Man" by Rian Johnson, with the last one on the list flooring me with a strange wash of emotions and thoughts before I went to bed. I (think I) believe now, but what I believe in is the power of the idea of Christ, a good shepherd trying to reach those who have lost the way, a kind and merciful figure who helps without expecting anything back.
And so, reading this was quite cathartic, very close to tears multiple times. Seeing the unrecognizable shape of hatred and power-lust that has insisted on itself being Christianity, be disentangled and returned to its basic form, the teachings of a compassionate advocate of human decency and social justice: I did not not know I needed, but wow, I really did.
Being a comedian while still showing warmth and kindness is a hard tight-rope to walk, but Mr. Fugelsang does it easily. I like Carlin, but I wouldn't have wanted to grab a beer with him, but the author here just seems like a super level-headed and well-read guy. I loved listening to him in the audiobook form and can recommend it as a way of experiencing the book.
Originally posted at www.youtube.com.