God is Dead (German: "Gott ist tot") is a widely quoted statement by Friedrich Nietzsche. It first appears in The Gay Science, section 108 (New Struggles), in section 125 (The Madman), and for a third time in section 343 (The Meaning of our Cheerfulness). It is also found in Nietzsche's classic work Also sprach Zarathustra, which is most responsible for popularizing the phrase. The idea is stated by 'The Madman' as follows:
God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we, murderers of all murderers, console ourselves? That which was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet possessed has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? With what water could we purify ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we need to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it?
—Nietzsche, The Gay Science, Section 125, tr.
Walter Kaufmann
I don’t want to start a new debate over the same things that others, now or before us, have been debating. I just want to start a dialogue. Is god dead or just not feeing good lately? Who are we fooling? If he is around, is he paying any attention? He has been around from the beginning of time. In his grand holy scale, 5000 years would be as is if I’m talking about a fraction of a second. Isn’t it more like a micro or even a nanosecond or less, in the life of the earth since its creation? I’m just focusing on the last 5000 years or so that we have some written history of its occupants, more to the point, the human beings. I just want to know whether he’s being paying any attention to the last 5000 years or so. Apparently he has. He has devoted a lot of time apparently. He has bestowed several religions on us in that time frame. Then is he off the hook? He gave us knowledge and we now must take care of ourselves? Is that how it was supposed to work? He gave us everything. He gave us knowledge, wisdom, creativity, humanity, passion, jealousy, love, desire, empathy, cruelty, freedom, art, language, music, philosophy, math, physic, and on and on. You may disagree with some or all of this. Fine! It’s also okay that I’ve mentioned things that mean the same thing. I may have left some out too. I’m just trying to make a point. Did he also give us, war, conflict, disaster, and disease? You may say that some are man made and blame some on nature. Okay! I’m not here to argue any of it. I’m here to wonder and question. What are some of his attributes? Is he wise, merciful, just, or kind? I guess we all have a different image and understanding of him according to our faith. That might be a personal thing for some of us.
I don’t think he is just or kind. I think he hasn’t been much attention. Why all the miseries, disasters, and disease? Is he punishing us? Is he trying us? Is he trying to teach us something? I have a lot of doubt on his wisdom. Why then some of us have an easier time than the rest? How come children and innocent people suffer too? Why is there so much poverty and inequality? Is that our fault too? I know he didn’t give me enough brains to analyze and question him. That’s not just to me.
I’m lost. I keep changing the channels looking for a new message or a new answer. I don’t know where to look and who to ask. I yearn to know. Who am I and why am I here?
I’m sorry! I’m moral, but it’s not because I’m scared. I’m moral because it’s part of me. No one taught me to be moral. I’m not scared of you. I am who I am and I don’t know why I’m the way I am. I don’t believe in your messages. I don’t believe in your establishments and your messengers. I’ve found them to be cruel too. I don’t know what to think. I’m okay with my belief, but I’m afraid of my neighbor’s beliefs. Most of us need you and most of need your guidance. I don’t. There were many wars in your name and there will be more because of you. There would be hell without you, but it’s already hell for many of your followers and many of non-believers. So, who’s right? Who is wrong? What is the truth?
FYI Links:
Time Magazine Cover: Is God Dead? - Apr. 8. 1966
Karen Armstrong describes herself as a monotheist, but there’s much to it. It’s an interesting argument. You should look it up for yourself. Try here: Karen Armstrong on Wikipedia.
Karen Armstrong on PBS sereis on Genesis with Bill Moyer. It’s a great segment.
