Have any of you faith-spouting fundamentalists read ‘Fear and Trembling’ by Søren Kierkegaard?

Question

How many have heard of it?

You might like to know that it is the best definition of, and best defense of, faith (particularly Christian faith) ever written.

I have never seen a single mention of it by any of the ignorant, but oh so self-righteous, conservative Christians who claim knowledge of THE great truth – knowledge that has eluded the greatest human minds.

How can it be (what defect in intelligence and/or psychology do they possess) that a group of people who so boldly demand that all humanity bow to their beliefs and adopt their lifestyle be the most ignorant of the nature of their own faith and belief?

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fifimsp1 –

Not exactly a defense, but Friedrich Nietzsche, who may not have been the first atheist, but is a take-no-prisoners battering ram, is good not-SK material.

‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ will set you free.

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shugodoth...

Trust me – they are light-years behind Zarathustra.

SK is a difficult read because…well.. it just is. Plus he pis*es me off. So, I’ll grant you that one.

Besides, unless you strive towards a life of idealized pure faith or are really deep into Existentialism you won’t get through it. I made it through once and never considered revisiting it.

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J.P. –

I hate SK so much I can’t even stand to read ABOUT him.

I once tried to skate on an exam question by claiming that Danish-philosophy was an oxymoron – apparently I was mistaken on that particular point.

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answer faerie –

I ALWAYS keep my golf shoes handy after that nasty incident with the lizards and the blood.

Lazlo…pterydactyls… Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

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Heaven's Messenger---

Why are you so afraid of knowledge – even when it might do you some good?

More, why do you believe the myths and folktales of quasi-historic semi-nomadic tribes of illiterate Semitic goat herders who lived over 2000 years ago, and who actually had to make a law about not having sex with sheep because such a law was actually needed?

Why do you believe in Jesus when, not only is there no physical evidence of his life, there are no first-hand documents that mention him by name, describe him, or provide us with even a single word he might have said? None of the documents produced by any of the scribes, historians, or community and national governments in the region ever mention anyone by that name, or anyone with a great many followers, or anyone doing miraculous deeds, or the crucifixion of any such person.

There is no reference to him, or anyone like him, in any contemporary Roman documents – including the papers, letters, and reports of Pontius Pilot. Nazarus is never mentioned historically until after his supposed death. And the darkness that allegedly covered the earth on the day he died is not recorded by anyone, anywhere in the world.

If there was an historic Jesus, it appears (during his lifetime at least), that no one ever heard of him.

You cannot defend your beliefs, but Kierkegaard did.

He, at least, was more educated and knowledgeable than the pre-Copernican, pre-Newtonian, and pre-Darwinian yahoos who took 40 years to find their way across an area the size of West Virginia. For crying out loud, it took Lewis and Clark less than 3 years to travel 7000 miles, and they only lost one person (compared with the 80% death total suffered by God’s ‘chosen people’).

Answer 1

Oh for crying out loud... Kierkegaard? DUDE. His stuff is garbage, and that's assuming you can even get past the verbiage.

Even I wouldn't recommend it, even to Christians. I'm just NOT that sadistic.

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Yes, Freidrich Wilheim Nietzsche is definately a worthy read, ESPECIALLY

"Companions the creator seeks, not corpses, not herds and believers. Fellow creators the creator seeks - those who write new values on new tablets. Companions the creator seeks, and fellow harversters; for everything about him is ripe for the harvest."

"Also sprach Zarathustra" -- Nietzsche

Answer 2

From the looks of it, even as an atheist, it doesn't sound like a great book already. Go read Harry Potter people. Much more entertaining. With all sorts of witchcraft and wizardry. Potions, magic, flying brooms. Wow. Or play some Dungeons and Dragons. Go knock some orc heads and cast a Level 10 spell to kill that troll.

Answer 3

I'm an atheists, but will give it a read. Always like to read new things, especially if I don't agree with it. Know anything written as well for the defense of atheists (well except you know, every basic science textbook). Just kidding. But really.

Answer 4

No but this Atheist read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter Thompson...now THAT'S a great read!

Answer 5

The only book they read is the Bible. It's what keeps them so ignorant. It's not even good literature, it isn't good history, it isn't good morality, it's a crappy book. I'd rather read Kierkegaard.

Answer 6

What are you, Søren Kierkegaard's publicist?

Answer 7

Never read it, not planning to. But I suggest you not read anymore of that related stuff, it's the main reason for your non-Christian like views.