In 'The God Desire: On Being a Reluctant Atheist', David Baddiel presents a unique argument for atheism, focusing on the psychological aspect of human desire for God. He posits that the intense desire for God to exist, rooted in our fear of death and the need for meaning, is actually evidence that God does not exist. Baddiel summarizes his argument with the equation 'desire + invisibility = God', highlighting that unlike other desires, there is no concrete evidence for God's existence. The book delves into how God provides a narrative and meaning to our lives but concludes that this is a form of wish fulfillment rather than reality.
In this book, David Baddiel argues that antisemitism is often overlooked or downplayed by progressives who otherwise champion social justice. He discusses the 'hierarchy of racisms' that places antisemitism at a lower level of importance and highlights double standards in how antisemitism is addressed compared to other forms of racism. Baddiel explores various topics including under-representation of Jews in media, the relationship between Jews and white privilege, and the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. He also reflects on his personal experiences and engages with contemporary debates in politics, sports, and culture to make a compelling case for why Jews should be recognized as a legitimate minority group facing unique forms of discrimination.
The Intelligence Squared team look back across 2023 in the third of our staff picks episodes. Senior Producer Tom Hall joins Associate Producer Layla Ishmail to select their highlights. Layla's pick is comedian and writer David Baddiel, who appeared onstage earlier in 2023 to discuss his book The God Desire along with religious scholar Ben Quash and fellow comedian, actor and broadcaster Richard Ayoade. Tom's choice is the VS podcast from Intelligence Squared, which put the TV shows Succession and the White Lotus against each other backed by the opinions of guests comedian Ania Magliano and journalist, crime podcaster and screenwriter Poppy Damon.
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