Seal's Kids Connect Him to God

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Beyond red Kabbalah bracelets and the ever-present “thank you’s” at awards ceremonies, there is often little room for celebrity and religion to mingle in the spotlight.

In filmmaker Peter Rodger‘s visual odyssey of a documentary, Oh My God?, however, celebrities including Hugh Jackman, Ringo Starr and Seal get the chance to speak honestly about their personal views of God and the great beyond.

“If I’m constantly reminded by those access points, then I need look no further,” Seal says candidly in the film, referring to his wife, model Heidi Klum, and their four children. The singer, 46, says that he has “chosen to see God in people” over the years.

His voice will join those of an entire cast of interviewees, ranging from everyday people to spiritual leaders to celebrities, all speaking from various cultural and religious backgrounds. Says Rodgers of the project, which began (initially self-financed) in 2006: “My goal was to find out what this entity that goes by the name of God means to people.”

“I was fed up with the childish schoolyard mentality that permeates this world, what I call the “My God is Greater than Your God” syndrome. By throwing out the question in an interview as ‘What is God?’ instead of ‘Who is God?’ it makes the interviewee look at God from the outside in rather than from the inside out.”

Says Hugh, star of Broadway’s current A Steady Rain, and one subject in the film: “If you put Buddha, Jesus Christ, Socrates, Shakespeare, Arjuna, Krishna at a dinner table together, I can’t see them having any argument.”

Originally premiering in July 2009 at the Jerusalem International Film Festival, Oh My God? will come to select theaters stateside in November.

– Joyce Chen

Click below to watch Seal show off photos of his wife and kids and hear how he sees God in them.

Comments

How sweet!

- Sabina on October 19th, 2009

I love when celebrities talk about religion! I feel people put it aside today so they don’t ‘offend’ anyone, yet it’s really more offensive to people like me, when they pretend religion doesn’t exist. People don’t allow God in schools anymore which is APPALLING and boils my blood that kids don’t get a chance to learn about other religions, instead pretend there is no such thing. (That’s what public schools in my area do, when they should really teach about all religion and celebrate all holidays, since most people do have some religions). Anyway, aside from my rant, it’s great that he’s doing this, and they seem like a wonderful family.

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

Erika, I could not have said it better myself. Thank you! And you worded it so nicely, no one could take offense to your post. It is amusing to me when people say Oh I don’t believe in God, umm hello where did you come from???

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

Thank you for agreeing with me Lauren, and I tried to word it nicely (even though I don’t particularly care whom I offend on this issue, my opinion is my opinion and that’s how it stands)! And I agree with you too, I find it interesting when/how people state that as well.

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

Although I don’t find it weird or “funny” or “interesting” when people say they don’t believe in God – because I know a relatively God-less explanation to why we are here exists, I totally agree with you Erika on the point that schools should teach about all religions!! I think what they did right was to remove the “practise” of one chose religion in school since some students might follow a different one, but it would definitely benefit everyone to be educated about the different religions that exist and their beliefs! It’s a way to learn to respect others too even if they might not believe the same thing you do. And even fo those who do not believe it is quite an important part of cultures. I think their reluctance might be because they are afraid to create “problems” as it is still a sensitive issue (in the sense that it can create conflicts if some try to “force” their beliefs on others). I understand this.

- Alice on October 19th, 2009

That is absolutely beautiful… My heart melt !

- Jo Ann v. on October 19th, 2009

I had to respond, Erika. No, I don’t think you should care if you offend anyone, you are 500 percent right but I am just saying there won’t be an excuse for someone to say you did. I was just so happy to read your comment, I hardly ever read other people’s opinions like this anymore. And as far as school goes, my husband and I have decided a private school is the best for our kids. I do NOT want them going to school where God is never mentioned, and it is treated like a forbidden subject. He is too huge a part of our life. And now they are trying to get His name removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, sad if you ask me. Sorry to go on and on, just had to get all this off my chest! Have a great day

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

Erika – where do you live? I’m curious because I’m a high school history teacher, and I teach about World Religions every year (just started this unit today, in fact!). It’s pretty much impossible for a student to really understand World History (according to my state’s standards, at least) if they don’t have a basic understanding of at least the big 6 religions!

- dearling on October 19th, 2009

Lauren – You know the “under God” portion of the Pledge was only added in the 50s or so, right? (as a part of the Cold War and fear of the “godless communist Russians”) Why would it be so scary to remove it? (As a public school history teacher, I’m just curious).

I do think it important though that you send your children to the school you feel is absolutely right for your family – I was actually sent to parochial school for K – 12 and ended up teaching at public school, so I’m a huge fan of both systems!

- dearling on October 19th, 2009

dearling- I live on Long Island. When I was in high school, they taught basic beliefs of each religion, such as where they originated, what year, and how many figures they believed in, but before that, we learned nothing about religion. I didn’t even know the difference between a monotheistic and polytheistic religion until 9th grade, because they were so afraid of offending. If kids wanted to, they could get a note to be excused from the religions unit.

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

Interesting, Erika. I teach primarily 9th grade in California, but have taught all high school grades, and I simply begin each unit by reminding my students why religion and history are inextricably linked and how we’re focusing on learning the basics of each religion (we focus on the big 6) to see how it influenced the decisions and actions of historical figures. If I were a parent and my child’s history teacher wasn’t incorporating that – I’d be ticked! I did just glance at the NY State standards and they’re definitely worded differently than CA (less specific in some parts) but they do say that students should be taught the different religious beliefs/traditions).

Here’s where I got the standards if you’re interested (downloaded the PDF):

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/ssrg.html

- dearling on October 19th, 2009

Well dearling, I appreciate that you weren’t rude in asking your question, but I just think that since we are a nation under God, why does it need to be taken out? It’s like people don’t believe in him or something. He created all of us, which makes up the nation, so…. I guess you will need to answer for yourself. I have alot of experience with public and private schools as well, so I am looking forward to sending my kids somewhere I actually feel good about. I know religion can be a touchy subject with some folks, but it doesn’t have to be.

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

I understand that your belief is that we are one nation under God, but not all believe that (personally, I’m an atheist), and I believe the government shouldn’t be espousing one religious belief system over another (which it does by choosing the word “God” over Allah or Yahweh or Jehovah, etc.). While I choose to refrain from saying the words “under God” when I say the pledge, I do find it offensive that it is in there, especially given that it was not really put in there to support religion, more by using religion as a political tool, which I think is denigrating to the religion, as well.

- dearling on October 19th, 2009

Okay, if it is offensive to you, then don’t ask others what their opinion is! I am NOT going to get into the religion thing here with a complete stranger. If we have a different opinion, that is fine, but like Erika and I mentioned earlier, where did you come from? Just something to think about, don’t answer to me.

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

That’s a silly, illogical question. Where did I come from? I came from my parents.
There is as much proof of God as there is of Santa Claus. Both fictional.

- Dahlia on October 19th, 2009

You came from your parents? What a silly answer. Obviously. Where did THEY come from? Their parents, of course. And where did they come from?

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

Do you spend American dollars? Because it says “In God we trust” on there too….

- Becky on October 19th, 2009

Dahlia saying both are fictional is very, very offensive to me. Of course Santa Clause is, but what makes you the expert on everything in the world, to say that there is no such thing as God. I wholeheartedly believe in him, and know he exists, but your comment implies that everyone who is not a nonbeliever is stupid. Dearling states that she is an atheist, but doesn’t tell me that God doesn’t exist, or that I can’t believe in him, which is the way it should be.

Everyone I know who is an atheist is arrogant, conceited and thinks they know everything about the world. They have no respect for my conservative christian beliefs and it’s rude.

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

Lauren, that’s exactly what I wanted to point out in my previous post, your question is irrelevant because people who don’t believe do not have some kind of issue with knowing where they come from as you seem to think. They can tell you where they, and everyone else for that matter comes from and it is each person’s choice/belief to see an act of God in it or not.
I hope you see I am not trying to say you are wrong or debate about religion itself, just tell you why you (and Erika) shouldn’t be surprised that people know where they come from, God or not.
You were pretty happy to “get into the religion thing” when it was with someone you agree with, who was just as much of a stanger by the way.

- Alice on October 19th, 2009

Erika, I think Dahlia maybe does not have any blessings in life that she can thank Him for. I find her to be arrogant for thinking someone did not create her and EVERYTHING around her. Dahlia, have you ever been to the Grand Canyon, the ocean, Yosemite, Rockies, Niagara Falls, Denali, and all the things beautiful America has to offer? I have been to all of them and they all take my breath away. How do you explain these things?

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

“Everyone I know who is an atheist is arrogant, conceited and thinks they know everything about the world. They have no respect for my conservative christian beliefs and it’s rude.”

Way to generalize. I generally have a hard time deeply discussing issues with conservative christians because I have found that it’s hard for me to reach a level of logic and reason with people with such deep belief systems. That is not to say everyone is though – I’ve had plenty of intelligent, enlightening chats with people who have very different beliefs than I do, so I feel it would be rude to generalize that way.

- April on October 19th, 2009

Alice, I only responded to people who were talking TO ME, which is none of your business by the way, but you or Dahlia has not given an explanation to where you “came from” and I don’t need one. I know where you came from. And you need to reread my post. Nowhere did I say that anyone had an issue. Thanks for trying to help, but try to read carefully before you act snooty.

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

Seal and Heidi have such a beautiful family. And I think his words are lovely. I have to comment however to April. You should read more carefully. Erika said the atheists SHE KNOWS, not all of them. If she knows them, she is not generalizing them by explaining their traits. She never said anything rude, and I am not saying that because I happen to agree with her. I am saying that because you are picking on her for something she did not say.

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

Lauren, you don’t want to hear my explanation. But I feel like now if I don’t give it to you it means I don’t have one. Sad, eh? If you don’t want to read it jump to the next paragraph.
So, you and me come from billions of years of evolution and before you ask, the first single cell everything evolved from probably came from a “soup” of organic molecules formed by solar radiations in the sea. The Grand Canyon was carved for a loong time by water, and Yosemite is actually a volcano, created simply bcause it’s hot inside the Earth (because of radioactivity). Funny fact, it erupts regularly and is currently late of a couple thousand years. Next time it does, we all die.

Did I say God was absent in that, or that He doesn’t exist? No. What happened is what happened. You can’t change it for all you want. But you can believe God did it, you can believe it’s too much not to be the case. It is indeed beautiful. But everything can be explained without a “non-mechanical” intervention, hence why as I said the question was irrelevant.

Sorry I talked to you without asking for permission… I am not trying to be snooty but polite. Why are you so agressive? You come off just like these atheists Erika knows.

At least we agree on Heidi and Seal…

- Alice on October 19th, 2009

April, I don’t think ALL atheists are conceited, but all of the ones I know are.

Becky, that’s a very good point!!

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

lauren, you are joking right? where did we come from??? please say you’re not a creationist. because, yes i came from my parents, and they came from theirs and in the grand scheme of things we evolved. there, that’s it. we evolved, no imaginary friend up in the sky, just evolution. there is so much overwhelming scientific evidence for this that nowadays saying that evolution isn’t true is pretty much the same as saying the earth is flat. and most of the time the people who deny it are the ones who haven’t even bothered to properly read up on it, which any sane human being would agree does not make them qualified to discredit it.

and to this whole one nation under God bit, as someone previously stated that was only added during the whole paranoid communist scare in the 50s under mcarthyism (a pretty sordid part of american history if you ask me) and the founding fathers were secularists who believed in separation of church and state. sadly somewhere along the line, through a communist scare and 8 years of bush, we have ended up with some portions of american society completely misunderstanding the sentiment of the “under god” bit which was a manipulative, exclusive, discriminating and politically motived addition.

if you are going to teach world religions, fine, but let’s at least make sure we get the politics behind it right as well.

- JM on October 19th, 2009

erika, you don’t understand that there is a difference between believing sometihng to be true and it actually being true. the reason you find atheists arrogant and conceited is because they disagree with you. that is absurd. there is as much evidence for god as there is for santa. that doesn’t mean you can’t believe in him. not at all. i have a friend who believes in fairies and unicorns (i’m not joking), let her, she’s not harming anyone. but that doesn’t make them anymore real i think you’d agree. or, are you saying that her believing in unicorns means that they are real? in which case we have a different understanding of what is real. atheists are treated very badly in america and it’s sad that this is largely down to ignorance and a biased media *cough*foxnews*cough* i believe the majority of christians are good and loving people, there is no reason for them to feel the way you do about atheists, unfortunately in many cases it is just part of the early indoctrination.

- JM on October 19th, 2009

april, well said! i am the same. i have many lovely religious friends, sadly, there are always some people who don’t understand rational or logical arguments and they usually end up getting angry with me because of it.

- JM on October 19th, 2009

JM- I’m sure as an atheist, you feel you *know* that there is no such thing as God. As a Christian, I feel that I *know* that there is such thing. I don’t need visible proof. My problem with Dahlia’s post was she said it as if I am not allowed to have my beliefs (because they hadn’t been proven true), even though I never said she couldn’t have her beliefs (which also have not been proven true). There is a big difference between disagreeing, yet respecting my religion, and telling me I’m wrong as if you know it. That’s my problem with her post.

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

Okay well I have a right to my opinion, and I have no use for people saying I said stuff I didn’t say, so I am done here. You people are a waste of my time. So closed minded.

- Lauren on October 19th, 2009

Me too! I think I’m just going to wrap this up by saying Heidi and Seal have a gorgeous family, and this debate has gotten a little off topic! Good night.

- Erika on October 19th, 2009

Oh Lauren, that’s rich.

- April on October 19th, 2009

Well, by the look of the commentaries here, people would better not go and check this documentary,they’d probably be disappointed.The guy said he wanted to “look at God from the outside in rather than from the inside out.”Exactly the opposite of people here who absolutely want their “in” (what I believe, what I feel,what I know) put out.

I have the feeling that hearing people talk about their perceptions of God,if they don’t involve christian values (strong of course, always strong)and a religion will get you very offended.
You’ll be upset about those Hollywood type who prefer spiritual over simple and real established religion.Spare you the headache.

- Cécile on October 20th, 2009

Erika- I love your posts! They are beautifully written, and you have been able to do something that can be very hard to do (especially when it comes to touchy topics like religion), and that is finding a way to state your opinion and beliefs without being at all offensive or coming across as judgemental.

I agree with everything you said one thousand percent!

- CelebBabyLover on October 20th, 2009

that pretty much proved my point… when people get frustrated with themselves because they don’t have the arguments or logical reasoning to back up their arguments they just abandon the conversation. but it doesn’t really surprise me, this is generally my experience with this issue. people are too happy in blissful ignorance.

and just for the record there is no such thing as “true for your and true for me” something is either true or it isn’t. evolution is true.

- JM on October 20th, 2009

I love Seal and the way he looks at the world is so refreshing!!!

That being said, I find it highly offensive that for years and years and years God was involved in our schools and in peoples’ every lives (the ones who believed) what I find nowadays is that with the huge influx of immigrants from other parts of the world, some of them have taken it as an insult to give tanks to God.

I’m in Canada and I am also an immigrant and God is nowhere to be seen in schools anymore. The minute you talk about it, you are offending someone from another country. We have given up so much of ourselves and our identity that if people ask me what does Canada stand for or represent that is home grown. I couldn’t tell you. And that is a tragedy.

I remeber in high school I had a student in my class who refused to stand for the national anthem and I got very upset and blasted him. I told him that if we were all in his country we would have had to stand and be respectful of his anthem. I told him that if he is so against the anthem, he should stay out of school until after it but dont sit there and disrespect the national anthem for those of us who are thankful to be in a land of wonderful opportunities. My fellow classmates agreed and from that day he was always late to homeroom which was fine by me.

We are not allowed to wish people ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ anymore because it is offensive to certain cultures. We have to say Happy Holiday. I say GET OVER IT. You come to a country and this is their tradition, you dont have to follow it but you dont go around protesting it either.

It really bothers me that religion has become something that I should be ashamed to talk about or express divinity for because I might offend someone else. I have friends from many walks of life including very staunch atheists and we are able to have a discussion without offending each other because they hold strong to their beliefs as do I. In the end we agree to disagree and move on with our lives. It is always refreshing to hear about people and the Gods they worship. It makes you so aware that no matter where you come from, we are all linked in something bigger than ourselves.

Thats my two cents. Thanks for listening.

- Dee on October 20th, 2009

Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. End of story. Neither one is better than the other so it is pointless to try and say otherwise.

Lauren, I found your posts to be extremely close-minded. It has nothing to do with your belief, either. It had more to do with your attitude towards others and theirs.

- Liliana on October 20th, 2009

I must say the Seal really seems to be a very compassionate man that knows “God” is all things and to him he see it in his family. I could cry watching that because if you are honest with yourself most people do not even feel that way about their own family so much any religion. God is all things and He shows you that on a daily basis if you just open you heart, minds and eyes! Thanks Seal for putting it into such simple terms for all to understand!

- Stacey on October 20th, 2009

Dee – I don’t know about Canada, but in the US (where I was born and raised) our tradition is one of religious tolerance, not one of Christian tradition. This country was founded on the belief that people should be allowed to believe what they choose and not be indoctrinated with others’ beliefs.

To the person who asked if I still spend the money that says “in God we trust,” yes, I do – it’s a fact of life that I have to deal with. It doesn’t mean I agree with being indoctrinated with the Christian religion for me or my children in schools with the Pledge, or in everyday life with the money. I’m sure other people would agree if someone wanted to change “God” on the money to another religion’s word for god.

All that being said, I would be really interested to see this documentary – because I do think people’s beliefs should be explored and celebrated. To those who are saying that they have “proof” that God exists – that seems to me a misunderstanding of the word faith. Faith, as I was taught in Catholic school, is belief WITHOUT proof.

- dearling on October 20th, 2009

Great post!! I am glad you ladies decided not to argue I mean debate YOUR beliefs.

- Melanie F. on October 20th, 2009

Heh, might as well throw in my perceptions of God. God is love, God is pure, God is holy. Wherever I see those qualities, I see His work. Perfect flowers dripping with dew, my child cozy in her swaddle and my husband gazing at me with tenderness are just an example of the things that help me see God.
I understand what Seal means. Very sweet.

- Stella Bella on October 20th, 2009

Erika you rock ! It’s about time people stand up for what they believe in. Our country’s very existence and foundation was on they Bible. It’s sad that it’s no longer reverenced or respected.

- Trish on October 20th, 2009

Trish – that’s not exactly historically accurate. While some of the laws and structures of different laws were modeled after or taken from the Christian tradition, part of the very fundamental structure of the US government, as it was created in the 17 and 1800s is that the government is NOT to promote or support one religion over another. The fact that those laws or structure of laws are taken from the Christian tradition is simply because those were what were familiar to the Founders, not that the Founders were promoting Christian tradition over another.

It is important to show reverence to the Bible, whether or not you support it, as a sign of respect to those who do believe in that tradition. Respecting it, however, does not mean that those who do not believe in it need to be forced (for lack of a better word) into following it or agreeing with it.

- dearling on October 20th, 2009

the FOUNDING FATHERS were by and large SECULARISTS!!!!! do you just CHOOSE not to believe or see this? how many times does it need to be said??? stop saying you were founded on christianity.

to me the bible is a book of fairy tales. if other people want to believe it is true, fine that’s their choice. but to me, i respect it as much as i respect my book of brother’s grimm fairytales. my choice…

- JM on October 20th, 2009

Its completely illogical to believe in something you have no proof of. God is just as real as Santa Claus and that is not offensive. If you choose to believe in fairy tales, that’s your choice, but don’t expect people to take you seriously. No, I don’t have proof that God doesn’t exist, but until you have proof that he DOES exist, “he” is still just a mythological figure. Where is your proof that Santa Claus doesn’t exist? Where is your proof that the Hindu gods Shiva, Ganesha, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vishnu and others don’t exist?

YOU happen to have been born into a monotheist christian family, but what if you weren’t?
Who are YOU to say that your God exists when there are plenty of religions with plenty of Gods out there?

If somebody told you that they believe in Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and other greek gods, you would call them crazy. Nowadays those gods are considered mythological, but what proof do you have that your “God” isn’t just a myth too?

The fact is that each religion was invented by PEOPLE. With SO many religions out there, and so many different Gods, how can you say that you’re sure that your religion and your God are real?

The bottom line is that until you have proof of God, you are wrong. I’m not arrogant, I am logical and don’t believe in superstition and myths. I believe in Science and will not believe in something until I am showed concrete proof.

You say “but you don’t have proof that he doesn’t exist” – I don’t NEED proof. If your neighbor came to you and said he saw a unicorn but you don’t believe in unicorns, WHO is the one who needs to show proof? Him because he is the one making the claims, of course! There would never be any atheists saying God doesn’t exist if religion had never been invented and spread throughout the world. The ones spreading the lies are the ones who need to show proof.

- Dahlia on October 20th, 2009

Dahlia, so beautifully put. i could not agree with you more, everything you said, logically and rationally argued that no person of sound mind could actually object to if they really read and try to understand what you are saying. it is true and it’s sad that children are indoctrinated so young.
i am glad to see a fellow rationalist fighting our corner.

- JM on October 20th, 2009

Hey Dahlia, my general feeling is that any god worth worshiping ought to be big enough to reveal Himself to each of us individually. If He’s big enough to create the world, He’s big enough to talk to me if I am willing to listen.

- Stella Bella on October 20th, 2009

There is proof that Santa has been invented by Coca-Cola. I’ve been wanting to say this since it was first brought up.

I agree with you Dahlia (except for Santa!), and I am not a believer, but I just don’t think we can logically be definitive. How long did we have to wait for the proof that the Earth was not flat? As long as your hypothesis hasn’t been challenged it can be considered true, but it doesn’t mean it actually is. That’s why I’m incomfortable with the “until you have proof of God, you are wrong”. Either it’s wrong or it’s right, if we say “until” it does mean there is the possibility that it’s right. This is enough for me to think that maybe they are right and the answer will come eventually even if it’s only when I die.
I wouldn’t have said this a few years ago, it’s actually studying science and learning scientific logical reasoning that led me to this.

And the fact that there are so many religions is more of an argument for God imo, because they all agree on the presence of a bigger something, whether its divided or just one. They gave them different names because as you said men invented religions but still, each in their own little part of the world, they came up with the same thing. Now why they fight about it and say theirs is the only one is beyond me, but still.

- Alice on October 20th, 2009

alice, out of interest, do you adopt the same stance on all mythical beings such as unicorns, fairies, leprechauns, pixies etc etc etc? it would genuinely interest me.
(on a sidenote santa clause was not really invented by coca-cola just given his colours. the idea stems from the story of st nicholas)

- JM on October 20th, 2009

Well to be honest – yes and no. For me the difference is most of these creatures as we nowadays think of them would be “material” unlike God. Unicorns are if I recall right a mix between horses and rhinoceroses, well that’s impossible because they are not the same species and cannot breed, period. I can’t say that doubt is allowed until it has been proven wrong because it has.

It also depends of what you put behind these words, for example fairies as little flying girls wearing cute dresses and making boats fly are openly invented stories, for the purpose of entertainment. However the origin of fairies themselves, their looks and legend basically fall into the tradition to represent nature in a human form in art, poems etc. As spirits of forests or lakes or whatever, creating them, protecting them, loving them, they are an analogy of mother nature, the concept of nature personified as some kind of deity. So in the end it all goes back to the notion of a “bigger thing” with a purpose – nature or God(s).

So my answer is no I don’t hold the same stance on fairies and pixies as solid little things running in my garden, because their actual definition, what they are and come from, is a representation of deity. Believing in them flying around us is like being a creationist, it’s taking things too literally.

- Alice on October 20th, 2009

see i disagree i think we either go on an evidence based decision or we don’t. a unicorn is not actually a cross between a rhino and a horse it is supposed to be a seperate horse species. and fairies are rarely if ever described as gods but as creatures in their own right. for me believing in any god is the same as believing in these on the very basis that there is absolutely no evidence for either.

- JM on October 21st, 2009

“You say “but you don’t have proof that he doesn’t exist” – I don’t NEED proof.”

Just like true Catholics, Jews, etc. don’t NEED proof that God exists to believe. Faith is belief WITHOUT proof. Just because YOU refuse to believe anything until it is proven to you doesn’t mean everyone is that way.

“The ones spreading the lies are the ones who need to show proof.”

And who’s to say you’re not the liar? Until YOU can prove religious followers are lying, you have zero more proof than anyone else. Going by your logic, then, you are not truly an athiest, but an agnostic-you can’t possibly know and prove there is no life after death. Therefore, you cannot believe this claim until you can prove it.

And going on a real philosophical tangent, unicorns, Santa Claus, et al. DO exist. Regardless of the fact that they are not material beings, we nonetheless have concrete images of what they look like in all our minds, just as we do with horses, etc. Anyone who says the word “Unicorn” automatically has the image of what a unicorn looks like in their minds. Therefore, unicorns and Santa Claus do exist and always will insofar as the images of them exist in our minds.

- Lauren on October 21st, 2009

God is an essence we know nothing of. Until this
awful blasphemy is got rid of there will never
be any liberal science in the world.
~ John Adams

The clergy believe that any power confided in me
will be exerted in opposition to their schemes.
And they believe rightly.
~ Thomas Jefferson

I have seldom met an intelligent person whose
views were not narrowed and distorted by religion.
~ James Buchanan

My earlier views on the unsoundness of the Christian
scheme of salvation have become clearer and stronger
with advancing years.
~ Abraham Lincoln

“Christianity is the most perverted system that ever
shone on man.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

“The Government of the United States of America is
not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
“This would be the best of all possible worlds, if
there were no religion in it” ~ John Adams

“Lighthouses are more useful than churches.”
~ Benjamin Franklin

- The Founding Fathers on October 25th, 2009