David Baddiel, comedian and bestselling author, discusses his desire for a God and how it proves God's non-existence. Joined by Richard Ayoade and Ben Quash, they explore concepts of vulnerability, Jewish identity, cultural traditions, fear of death, and the connection between joy and belief in God.
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Quick takeaways
The desire for God is linked to the search for meaning and purpose in life, extending beyond personal fears of death.
Language plays a crucial role in conveying truth and sharing experiences, allowing for genuine connection and understanding.
Deep dives
The Rise of Religion
Religion, despite expectations of decline, is on the rise. With 80% of Americans claiming to believe in God and the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism and Christian evangelical Christianity, religion continues to play a significant role in society.
Desire for God and Meaningful Living
The desire for God is linked to the search for meaning and purpose in life. Although the existence of God may be questioned, the desire for something greater than oneself remains. This desire extends beyond a personal fear of death and encompasses the quest for meaningful relationships, love, and order.
Language, Truth, and Sharing Experiences
Language plays a crucial role in conveying truth and sharing experiences. Despite the erosion of truth in today's digital age, language allows for genuine connection and understanding. The metaphysical role of language in the recognition and sharing of thoughts and feelings creates hope and belief in the shareability of truth.
Joy, Beauty, and the Experience of God
Joy and the experience of beauty often lead to a feeling of connection to something greater than ourselves. While not necessarily directly related to the existence of God, the expression of joy and recognition of beauty can evoke a sense of the divine. Joy arises from the innate human ability to appreciate and find delight in the world around us.
This is the second instalment of a three-part episode. David Baddiel would love there to be a God. The comedian and bestselling author has spent a lot of time fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually were a supreme being – which for him would be some kind of Superhero Dad who chased off Death. Unfortunately for him, there isn’t. Or at least, that’s Baddiel’s view, and it’s the starting point of his new book The God Desire. In April 2023 Baddiel came to our stage at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, London, to argue that it is the very intensity of his, and everyone else’s, desire for God to exist that proves God’s non-existence. Baddiel was joined on stage by comedian, actor and film-maker Richard Ayoade and theologian and broadcaster Ben Quash for a conversation that tackled this most ancient and fundamental of questions: is our need for there to be something greater than ourselves anything more than just that – a need?
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