Intelligence Squared Was Jesus A Great Moral Teacher? With Julian Baggini and Mark Mardell
Mar 30, 2021
Julian Baggini, a writer and philosopher known for his works like "The Godless Gospel," joins former BBC journalist Mark Mardell for a thought-provoking conversation. They challenge the notion of Jesus as a great moral teacher, examining how his values relate to today’s moral dilemmas. Baggini explores Jesus' views on wealth and generosity, urging listeners to rethink personal morality rather than mere rule-following. The duo delves into the complexity of Jesus’ parables and the personal nature of moral interpretation, encouraging deeper reflection on compassion and individual growth.
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Was Jesus a Great Moral Teacher?
- Many claim Jesus was a great moral teacher, even without believing his divinity.
- Baggini challenges this, urging deeper examination of Jesus's actual words beyond platitudes.
The Godless Gospel
- Baggini's "Godless Gospel" removes supernatural elements from the Gospels, similar to Jefferson and Tolstoy.
- This aims to analyze Jesus's teachings without divinity, not to reconstruct the historical Jesus.
Worldly Success as a Burden
- Jesus taught worldly success and possessions hinder spiritual growth.
- He viewed poverty and weakness as beneficial for focusing on becoming a better person.
