Julia Sweeney, known for her characters on SNL and comedy specials, discusses her devout atheism, cultural Catholicism, and the importance of community. They explore the act of calling on a God they don't believe in, breaking up with a belief in God, and the beauty of Tokyo Story. They also touch on Julia's positive personality, Catholic traditions, and the allure of ceremonies.
Julia Sweeney credits Catholicism for instilling in her a conviction of belief, despite her current atheism.
Sweeney finds value in using the concept of God as a tool to access a different perspective on decision-making.
Deep dives
The Influence of Catholicism in Julia Sweeney's Belief System
Julia Sweeney, a former Saturday Night Live cast member and renowned comedian, reflects on her upbringing in a large Irish-American Catholic family and the impact it had on her belief system. While she no longer believes in God, Sweeney credits Catholicism for instilling in her a conviction of belief. She admires saints who endured physical pain for their convictions and sees herself as having a similar conviction of not believing in God. Sweeney also discusses her interactions with Catholics, both liberal and conservative, and how she appreciates those whose belief in God inspires them to be kind and do good for others.
The Usefulness of the Concept of God as a Tool
Although Julia Sweeney does not believe in God, she finds the concept of God as a useful tool in certain situations. She explains how she sometimes asks herself what God would want her to do as a way to tap into her wiser, higher self. However, she acknowledges that this is merely an experiment and a means to access a different perspective on decision-making. Sweeney reflects on the idea that even if God did exist, why would God care about being acknowledged or believed in? She believes that being a good person and doing good for others is more important than religious belief.
The Performance of Religion as a Social Force
Having extensively explored religion and Catholicism in particular, Julia Sweeney views religious practices and rituals as performative acts that demonstrate one's adherence to a particular group or tribe. She argues that the act of believing in God and engaging in religious rituals is often about signaling loyalty and establishing a sense of belonging within a community. Sweeney discusses her interactions with right-wing Catholics and finds disagreement with their worldview, particularly their emphasis on authority and the requirement to believe certain things.
The Role of Art and Joy in Life
Julia Sweeney explores the role of art and joy in her life. She references the movie 'Tokyo Story' by Yasuhiro Ozu as a work of art that she believes would make the world a better place if everyone experienced it. She appreciates the profound worldview presented in the film, which explores themes of disappointment and the beauty of everyday life. Sweeney also touches on her optimistic and joyful nature, attributing it to her personality rather than any inherent qualities of Catholicism or religion.
Julia Sweeney is a multi-hyphenate performer known for her hilarious characters on SNL and her comedy specials God Said Ha, Letting Go of God, and most recently Older and Wider. This week on Ye Gods!, Julia joins Scott to discuss her devout atheism as well as her feelings on religion, God, the saints and more! Julia explains cultural Catholicism sans a belief in God and how community is central to who we are as human beings.
In My Homily Opinion (IMHO): Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s love of the Catholic ceremony, this week's IMHO Scott asks listeners to send in stories of how religious ritual has affected their lives and if experiencing them can reveal spiritual mysteries.
Guest: Julia Sweeney is an actress, comedian, writer and film director. She was born in the U.S. in Spokane, Washington in 1959. She’s appeared on numerous film and television shows and is well known for her years on SNL in the first half of the 1990s. She has created several comedic one-person shows. In 2014, she released her book “If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother”, a collection of essays on the complex blessings of motherhood. The latest TV series Julia has appeared in is Shrill and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
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