Does Nietzsche's proclamation that 'God is Dead' make us queasy because we are afraid to recognize its truth?

Answer 1

I hesitate to debate the profound wisdoms of F.W. Nietzsche on a forum such as Y!A, but I will respond to the question at hand, as a number of responders seem to be misguided when it comes to Nietzsche...

This quote is a passage from Nietzsche's work "The Gay Science" (Note: The use of the word "Gay" is not a homosexual reference. It stems from a poetic use of the word, and could be read as "Life-affirming").

"The Gay Science' approaches such subjects as intellectual disciplines and pursuits, poetry, the merits of science, positions on how we should view and handle human suffering, and his doctrine of 'Eternal Recurrence'.

He also poses nihilistic/anti-nihilistic takes on theology, and it is from this nihilistic view that we hear "The madman" proclaim to a crowd of non-believers that "God is dead." When the crowd's dissemblings turn into silent astonishment, the madman states that he has come too early, and that his time has not yet come (most likely a regard to the ubermensch, as well as Nietzsche, himself).

So, queasy?...No
Provocative?... I'd have to say... "yes"...

Answer 2

Queasy. Most people feel malaise when their belief is threatened by reason. That queasiness comes when all your beliefs that make you a fulfilled, meaningful person are challenged. It makes one feel utterly meaningless. Yes, the truth makes those of faith feel queasy. Whether they recognize, or understand Nietzsche, or not. Most will simply shut their eyes, zip their mouth, and slap their hands over their ears. They cannot handle the truth. They cannot handle the vacancy, the emptiness. They cannot handle the feeling of being completely alone in the universe. That thought is terrifying when one has been raised with the comfort of a holy father watching over you, telling you everything is going to be okay.

God is dead seems to me as though Nietzsche were implying abandonment. I'm not sure. God is dead, because God has always been dead. He's been dead for eternity. God is the alpha and the omega of what never was to begin with.

Answer 3

I may be mistaken, but I vaguely remember a philosophy class in which the professor said that Nietzsche was eventually declared stark raving mad. Next, I don't know who you mean by "us," but if you mean the U.S., any queasiness is probably due to eating pizza too late at night. It's doubtful that Nietzsche had any thing to do with it because it's doutful that more than 6% of the populations has ever even heard of him. And finally, the American public is perfectly willing to recognize the truth, it's just that Nietzsche's proclamation doesn't happen to be in that catagory.

Answer 4

Certainly not. Nietzsche was only speaking about the old God. The old God is dead and the new God is emerging.

Answer 5

Truth? Truth is, Nietzsche is dead.

Answer 6

Define "God is dead." God is not a human being. I believe that when he said that that the reason why God is dead is because of how corrupt people are. God didn't die. God is still present. The phrase "God is dead" is the reason why churches have revival. God is dead to those who deny him.

Answer 7

Frederich Nietzsche was known to be insane, but surprisingly brilliant. How can you take what he says as truth?

Answer 8

I don't think that many people really understand what Nietzsche was on about when he said that.

Answer 9

Well if you believe its the truth than it might make you queasy...but if you are like me you don't believe false teachers

Answer 10

I've never felt the least bit queasy in my life....