I’m glad Jemima Khan asked me to contribute to this issue of the New Statesman as it (at last) gives me the opportunity to prove the existence of God. You may think me unqualified for a task that has baffled the finest theologians, philosophers and physicists since the dawn of time but don’t worry, I’ve been unqualified for every job I’ve ever embarked on, from learning to drive to working as a postman for the Royal Mail, and both these quests were successfully completed, aside from a few broken wing mirrors and stolen letters. So, unlike the Christmas money of the residents of Ockendon, Essex, you’re in good hands. Atheists are all about us, sermonising from the godless pulpit on the benefits of their anti-faith with some pretty good arguments like, oh I dunno, “evolution” and oddly, I think, given the stated nature of their motives, being incredibly reductive in their line and manipulative in their targets….
LOL, not bad. I’m probably in a minority here but I like Russell Brand. Because of his current movies, I’ve seen interviews with him lately on a lot of talk shows. He’s wonderfully fast on his feet and witty; I especially enjoy his word play and his cheerful, rather self-deprecating banter.
I like the word play, irony, and gentle criticism of Dawkins. Brand makes some good points. No, he’s not a theologian or especially eloquent about God but I think that’s the point — he’s an unlikely bloke who has thought about God, thought about the atheist rockstar’s arguments, and has rejected them. The point is that he’s thinking about the subject and brave enough to write about it even though he knows that the atheists will bash him and many religious people probably will, too.
If you know anything about Brand, you’re aware that he was a notorious drug addict and then a sex addict. He’s turned it around by going to conventional addict meetings and also through meditation. I believe he’s been clean for about 8 years. Hence, his affinity for TM.
Yes, the wit is at times subtle:
[blockquote] “Galileo Galilei, the man credited with being the first to point a telescope skyward (all previous users had presumably been Renaissance peeping Toms)” [/blockquote]
His sarcasm is spot on: Many today believe that Galileo invented the telescope – he didn’t. And many today believe he formulated the theory that the earth revolves around the sun – he didn’t.
Some of Brand’s witticisms echo the Socratic arguments as to why God must exist.
And this bit at the end is priceless:
[blockquote] “Could a witless miasma of molecules and dust ever have created anything as ingenious and incredible as Richard Dawkins? I don’t think so, but I’m prepared to listen and tolerate any theories and arguments, a concerto of contemplation, a requiem of speculation, to divert us till we know the truth.” [/blockquote]