Why did Nietzsche say that God is dead?
Was there a reason or was it just an assertion?
Nietzsche (1844-1900) was fond of making dramatic statements to make a point and get reactions. His statement "God is dead, and we have killed him" must be understood in that light, and also in light of the issues he was speaking of at the time.
Modern life and thinking, to Nietzsche's way of thinking, had brought an end to the meaning found in the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity and Judaism, and, if he dealt wit it, Islam). If we take the drama out of his statement, he is saying, "The idea of God found in Christianity and Judaism is no longer powerful and relevant because our modern lives and thinking are taking us in a different direction." But writing like that does not lead to fame and drama.
The result of Nietzsche's drama is that he is often misunderstood. He was not an absolute nihilist; he found value in Buddhist ideas, and Buddhism rejects nihilism. It is not even clear that he was an atheist. He might have been saying, "our old ideas of God are dead."
Nietzsche was not a systematic thinker. He was more of a provocateur. Let us use his writing to provoke our own thinking in healthy, positive ways, not in the destructive ways it was used later in Germany to justify the Nazi regime.
by Sharon je 14 years ago
There have been a lot of discussions on Christianity, atheist and Bhudism. Anyone interested to take another look at Islamic teachings? What differentiates Islam, Jews, Christtian and Bhudist? What are most of the conflicts about? What makes someone Godless?
by Julie Grimes 14 years ago
As written by, and believed by- British philosopher Bertrand Russell. Who wrote the 1927 pamphlet, Why I Am Not A Christian."He writes;"Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly, as I have said, the wish to feel...
by Kathryn L Hill 11 years ago
However, in the man, the soul's feminine essence is hidden or downplayed. In the woman, the masculine essence is hidden or downplayed. We benefit in marriage through experiencing the essence which manifests predominantly in our partners. In this way marriage helps us get in touch with the deeper...
by davidkaluge 12 years ago
People say that no matter how good or right one can be or live, it won't be counted expect one follow a religious path of their choice. For instance, one must belief/worship Jesus for one to make it to heaven. This is what some people teach. Does it mean God does not bother if we do the right...
by lizzieBoo 13 years ago
Some people like to comfort themselves with the idea that if they get rid rid of horrible-old Christianity from the world, we will be left with nice, peaceful nihilism. I would like to point out that if you trample away Christianity, we won't be left with the unity of blissful non-belief, we will...
by Dan Harmon 9 years ago
Seems that Katy Independent School, Texas, has a class on Critical Thinking for 7th graders. Students were asked to classify the statement "There is a God", among others, as true, opinion or common assertion in an ungraded assignment. One 12 year old said it was true, and when...
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