Amis, on religion

martino · Post by **martino** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 3:53 pm

or, putting it more precisely, on religious fundamentalism (although this is probably a difference not worth being precise about):

"To be clear: an ideology is a belief system with an inadequate basis in reality; a religion is a belief system with no basis in reality whatever. Religious belief is without reason and without dignity, and its record is near-universally dreadful. It is straightforward - and never mind, for now, about plagues and famines: if God existed, and if He cared for humankind, He would never have given us religion."

The Voice of the Lonely Crowd

If you have read that piece, and you don't like it, you might be interested in what John Pilger had to say about it:

Pilger contra Amis

Post by **Sloth** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 4:09 pm

Wow Martino I love that line:

"If God existed, and if He cared for humankind, He would never have given us Charlton Heston."

Martin Amis was truly a profound man of thought!

Post by **mccutcheon** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 4:22 pm

Isn't Martin still alive? I think he got braces a while back. I think his father is the one who passed on.

martino · Post by **martino** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 5:01 pm

martin is alive and well; kingsly is dead. i wish charlton was too.

martin got not only braces but a major dental reconfiguration. you can read about it in his autobio; it's quite hilarious actually. there's this nice part about doing regular vacations in spain in the early 60s. always self-conscious about his teeth, Amis enjoyed the comparison to england, where people tended to have croc teeth, whereas in spain, you could look into a perfectly pretty girl's mouth and see something resembling a packet of fruit-and-nuts.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 5:37 pm

Painting everyone who believes in God as intellectually stymied is as narrow minded as the Jerry Falwell's of the world. Just because you can't see something does not mean that it isn't there. Being spiritual is not a weakness, being unable to accept the beliefs of others is.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 8:31 am

too true, it just sounds better when a cool English writer says it than some fat headed pig fucker.

martino · Post by **martino** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 11:23 am

amis fired his agent about two years ago, when he was faced with astronomical dental bills. he figured his new agent would have more financial pulling power.

so, i was glad to visit mc and see that he has fine teeth.