God is No Loving Father March 16, 2011

God is No Loving Father

By Guest Contributor
March 16, 2011

Edward Tarte gives the rational, realistic, sensible, atheist take on the Japanese earthquake/tsunami (and any “loving” god who would allow this to happen… or cause it in the first place):

Edward definitely speaks for me in that video.

You too?

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  • Pam

    Here here…yes sir..agreed!!!

  • Slider33

    I like that guy.

  • NeuroLover

    “Unmitigated contempt.” Amen.

  • Claudia

    I know a lot of people really enjoy the young atheists, who liberate themselves from religion by 12 or 13 and are not ashamed to say so. Personally, my favorite kind of public atheists are the older ones. I cannot express enough my admiration for someone, particularly a former clergyman (or former nun) who was willing to deconstruct their entire life because they held the integrity of their rational minds above other things.

  • Richard P.

    Well that was a little harsh. How strident of him to talk that way. I think a little toning it down is in order.

  • Roxane

    What Claudia said. I’m of course delighted that so many young people see through religion so early in their lives, and don’t waste time and energy with it. But we aren’t very surprised when young people rebel against something. What’s unexpected is when an adult who has years of his upbringing, his education, and his livelihood invested in his religion rebels against his faith. For me that has an exceptionally poignant force.

  • Patrik

    People actually believe that the earthquakes are punishment for Pearl Harbor? What a bunch of f-ing self-centered idiots!

  • Rob

    Love that guy.

  • NotYou007

    His tone was boring but his message was spot on and I agree with him 100%

  • 1) I’d actually like to hear more of his story.
    2) My philosophy is basically the same “by the evidence of my eyes, mind and heart, either gods do no exist or they are all bastards who do not deserve worship”.

  • Tina

    Holy crap, I like that guy!

  • Margy

    I like him, too!

  • Nordog

    What a bunch of bigots.

  • Nordog, what on earth is bigoted about the video or any of the comments?

  • Peter Mahoney

    Edward Tarte is DEFINITELY worth SUBSCRIBING to on YouTube. He. Is. Awesome.

    It’s as if someone had a huge vat of reason/rationality/logic and distilled it down to a concentrated, no-frills, bare-bones presentation in its purest form.

    I love lots of atheist-friendly YouTubers (NonStampCollector, TheThinkingAtheist, zomgitscriss, xxxThePeachxxx, DarkMatter2525, EdwardCurrent, many others).

    But Edward Tarte has a particularly charming simple clarity with no distractions from the intellectual points he is making. He proves that one guy with a simple video camera and a clear, rationale voice can make a difference for thousands longing to hear his perspective.

    Also, if you like a really RESPECTFUL, gentleman-like approach yet from a guy who doesn’t back down on pointing out the insanity of religion… he’s your guy.

  • John

    I am proud that Mr. Edward Tarte is a member of MY species. <3

  • Grateful Dave

    So nice to hear sound rational speak these days– from a recovering Catholic Priest no less!! This GOD certainly must be cruel beyond imagination with so much injustice and suffering!! I see this earth life as just cruel, unfair and horribly painful at times. At other times so wondrous, awesome, Beautiful, joyous and loving! We always get to hold each other up – no GOD, just one another holding each other! Works for me!

    “Wo ho what I want to know ho — Is are you kind?”

  • Elsin Ann Perry

    I can subscribe to Edward Tarte on YouTube?! Great!
    Thanks, Peter!

  • «bønez_brigade»

    *clicks Like*

  • I’m about to commit an ad hominem here, but I’m not surprised a “recovering” ’60s Catholic priest doesn’t understand theodicy and the morally sufficient reasons a God may have for allowing natural evil to occur. Probably why he’s no longer a priest, but oh well.

    He speaks as if believers reject the scientific explanations for earthquakes in lieu of something else. I wonder, what would he say to the bereaved to help assuage their pain, on atheism? Sorry guys, earthquakes happen?

    As for those who would attempt to speak for God, well, logically, who could speak for God? Well take it their comments with that in mind.

  • Fred, I’d like to refer you to The Tale of the 12 Policemen.

    I wonder, what would he say to the bereaved to help assuage their pain, on atheism?

    How about: I’m sorry for your loss, I won’t try to explain it away as the actions of a fickle deity or dismiss your pain as part of a capricious plan. I’ll take the time to help you and listen to your grief as sharing this burden can lessen it and make it bearable. What I won’t do is offer empty platitudes that make me feel better while giving nothing of substance. That would be cruel.

    As for those who would attempt to speak for God, well, logically, who could speak for God?

    I agree with your logic. Who could speak for God when there are no gods, at least none that we can tell? What a wasteful exercise. One may as well speak for Dumbledore.

  • Frog,

    Your “tale” is tl;dr

    Yes, perhaps he could say that, as would a believer in God–at least for the most part. However, what would he say in response to a mother, tears streaming down her face, as she held the limp body of a dead child asking “Why? Why did this happen to me?” What words would you put in the good ex-father’s mouth then? “Enh, shit happens!”

    Evil is a problem for everyone.

    Dumbledore, by definition and use, is not in the same category as God as I’ve already pointed out to you on my blog, hover.

  • ACN

    It’s a shame you didn’t read it. It is a rather thoughtful summary of responses to the christian position that god is omni*(benevolent + potent + scient).

    Yes, perhaps he could say that, as would a believer in God–at least for the most part. However, what would he say in response to a mother, tears streaming down her face, as she held the limp body of a dead child asking “Why? Why did this happen to me?” What words would you put in the good ex-father’s mouth then? “Enh, shit happens!”

    I think he answered your question already:

    How about: I’m sorry for your loss, I won’t try to explain it away as the actions of a fickle deity or dismiss your pain as part of a capricious plan. I’ll take the time to help you and listen to your grief as sharing this burden can lessen it and make it bearable. What I won’t do is offer empty platitudes that make me feel better while giving nothing of substance. That would be cruel.

    I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Hoverfrog gave you a perfectly good answer and you’re just reiterating the same point as though you didn’t read his reply.

  • Fred Woodbridge

    Your “tale” is tl;dr

    You didn’t read it? I suggest you do. There are only 12 points so you could take them one at a time for ease of reading.

    However, what would he say in response to a mother, tears streaming down her face, as she held the limp body of a dead child asking “Why? Why did this happen to me?” What words would you put in the good ex-father’s mouth then? “Enh, shit happens!”

    That’s very emotive language but completely wrong of course. As I’ve explained already there are things that can be done from a secular viewpoint. Did you read my comments?

    Evil is a problem for everyone.

    The problem of evil is a special problem for those who assume the existence of an all loving, all powerful and all knowing deity. For the rest of us evil is merely something that must be fought against. For the record a natural disaster is neither good nor evil. That would imply the existence of a agent in causing the disaster. If such a being were to exist then it would certainly be considered evil by our standards.

    Dumbledore, by definition and use, is not in the same category as God as I’ve already pointed out to you on my blog, hover.

    Wrong. God and Dumbledore are both characters that do not exist in reality.

  • Tom

    Edward Tarte makes me smile…often.