NPR: This I Believe: Penn Jillette: There Is No God
21 November, 2005 
Agree or not, the points made deserve consideration. Here is, I think, an articulate summary of how many see the God of mainstream, American Christianity. (I dare say there are more than a couple of us who self identify as Christians and yet are skeptical about this God that Jillette describes.)
A few tidbits to tease… but I hope you’ll read the whole thing, and let me know what you think.
Believing there’s no God means I can’t really be forgiven except by kindness and faulty memories. That’s good; it makes me want to be more thoughtful. I have to try to treat people right the first time around.
Believing there’s no God stops me from being solipsistic. I can read ideas from all different people from all different cultures…. “I have faith, I believe this in my heart and nothing you can say or do can shake my faith…” [is] just a long-winded religious way to say, “shut up,” or another two words that the FCC likes less.
No God means the possibility of less suffering in the future.
Hi. Based on your post, you might like to read what I had to say about Penn’s essay in my blog.
Cory, I’m not really sure what your point is in posting this?
Are you saying you have your doubts? Are you saying that some Christians are blind in their faith and don’t think? What are you really saying….the one thing that comes to my mind as I read this, the Penn/NPR thing is the song by R.E.M, “Losing My Religion.” It really is not clear what point you want to make….I guess you can infer what I “think” you are saying by the comments I make, but I really do want to know what point you are trying to make.
I read a book recently that I think you may like, “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller
Claudia, I just don’t quite see how your comments connect to Jillette’s. I’m not sure what point you think he is making, so I don’t know how to put your post into context. Perhaps it’s just the turkey, though.
jimmmaaa, here’s my point: First, I think Jillette denies the existence of God based on the identity and character attributed to God by particular Christians, either individuals or groups he has encountered personally or vicariously (e.g. media, friends, etc.). You’ve probably heard something like, “You’re life may be the only Bible others ever read.” Jillette’s concept of God was formed, I suspect, by observing those who claim to be Christians. It sounds like these Christians were (1) rude and inconsiderate; (2) prejudiced and pretentious; and (3) fatalistic and dismissive.
Second, I don’t think Jillette’s experiences are unique or rare by any means. In fact, I think the Christians that I describe above and that I believe shaped Jillette’s concept of God are unfortunately quite common among the prevailing churches in the United States. These are Christians who scarcely resemble the Christ they claim to follow.
So, do I have doubts? With regard to the God Jillette describes the answer is a resounding yes. And I don’t think I’m alone. The growing number of people who are searching for and following Jesus outside of traditional American churches supports my contention.
Regarding “Blue Like Jazz,” I’ve heard good things about it, but I have not had the chance to read it yet. I’d love to hear what you think.