Is there an afterlife, and why are the Jews so powerful?

Alright, here we go with another classic 'atheist v theist' debates. However, what sets this particular debate apart is the sophistication and honesty that unfolds between the two classically opposed camps. For anyone who is familiar with this arena may already expect this when they discover that God's council are sophisticated Rabbis.

In the heathen corner we have Christopher Hitchens

Venomous anti-theist
Dying of cancer
No longer can drink/smoke, must be pissed
Thinks religion fucking sucks

And Sam Harris

-Neuroscientific atheist and anti-theist
-Hates Islam and pretty much all the rest
-Ethnic Jew
-Scientifically accepts mysticism

On God's behalf, we have Rabbi David Wolpe

-Conservative/Conventional Jewish leader
-Theological and sophisticated
-Head of Sinai Temple in LA
-Wrote book on faith in the face of illness

And Rabbi Bradley Artson

-Conservative Jewish leader
-Fully accepts evolutionary (and all other) science
-Writes Jewish blog and books on Jewish philosophy
-Has an autistic son he likes to mention

What makes this video worth creating a topic for is the progression from total opposition to relative common ground. It would be wrong to say that any of the panel changed their mind about their position on the afterlife, but they came to realize how close their beliefs might be. Also, as I mentioned in the title, the end of the debate has an interesting discussion about the Jewish tradition of belief and success in the modern West in comparison to Christianity and Islam.

The discussion is over an hour long, but I'm sure that anyone who has read this far into my topic will be the kind of person to find the time. Reply with thoughts.

Link: http://www.jewishtvnetwork.com/?bcpid=533363107&bctid=802338105001

Sam Harris is such a beast. Watching it now.

Bradley Artson talks about how an omnipotent God isn't in the Torah. It seems like he conceded this after Sam Harris finished talking about the gratuitous evil inflicted on innocent children, as if to remove blame from God. If God is anything less than omnipotent, however, then he isn't God. I am less than omnipotent and I don't expect anyone to worship me nor do I wish that they would.

Sam Harris

"Scientifically accepts mysticism"

Scientifically?

Bull.

Why does no one ever ask why are the Christians so powerful?

Sam Harris

"Scientifically accepts mysticism"

Scientifically?

Bull.

correction: Scientifically accepts the possibility of the truth of mystical claims. Now, that sounds less exciting, doesn't it?

He makes the point that science must always remain open to the truth.

Big bump, but this was a great debate. I highly recommend watching it.

Thanks, I wanted to last time but forgot. No time now hopefully I remember

Unlike Islam and Christianity, Jews don't really have a clear depiction of afterlife.  I also wouldn't say that Jews are powerful. Wealthy for the most part yes. The real power is behind Anglo Saxons, that's easy to see.

Unlike Islam and Christianity, Jews don't really have a clear depiction of afterlife.  I also wouldn't say that Jews are powerful. Wealthy for the most part yes. The real power is behind Anglo Saxons, that's easy to see.

LoL at most Jews are wealthy.

Quote from: New Earth on April 14, 2011, 02:03:13 PM

Unlike Islam and Christianity, Jews don't really have a clear depiction of afterlife.  I also wouldn't say that Jews are powerful. Wealthy for the most part yes. The real power is behind Anglo Saxons, that's easy to see.

LoL at most Jews are wealthy.

Prove me wrong?

>Jews
>not powerful

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/jews-in-the-media-hollywood/

And that's just the media.

>Jews
>not powerful

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/jews-in-the-media-hollywood/

And that's just the media.

Astounding. A culture which places great emphasis on education and professional achievement produces many people who are well educated professionals. I am over-fucking-whelmed.

Quote from: Areweonfiya on April 14, 2011, 04:45:55 PM

>Jews
>not powerful

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/jews-in-the-media-hollywood/

And that's just the media.

Astounding. A culture which places great emphasis on education and professional achievement produces many people who are well educated professionals. I am over-fucking-whelmed.

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

In terms of education, yes. I am a huge believer in the power of education, and it just so happens that Jewish culture places great emphasis on education and skill development. The results are apparent in any number of ways. For an anecdotal example (which Hitchens mentions in this debate), just look at the number of Jewish Nobel prize winners.

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on April 14, 2011, 05:16:54 PM

Quote from: Areweonfiya on April 14, 2011, 04:45:55 PM

>Jews
>not powerful

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/jews-in-the-media-hollywood/

And that's just the media.

Astounding. A culture which places great emphasis on education and professional achievement produces many people who are well educated professionals. I am over-fucking-whelmed.

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

They value education much more than Christian culture. That's just a fact. For instance, a rabbi is different from a priest. A rabbi is considered to be anyone with a high level of education about Judaism, and they are greatly respected.

Quote from: New Earth on April 14, 2011, 05:18:50 PM

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

In terms of education, yes. I am a huge believer in the power of education, and it just so happens that Jewish culture places great emphasis on education and skill development. The results are apparent in any number of ways. For an anecdotal example (which Hitchens mentions in this debate), just look at the number of Jewish Nobel prize winners.

OK and what culture places no importance on education?

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on April 14, 2011, 05:24:07 PM

Quote from: New Earth on April 14, 2011, 05:18:50 PM

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

In terms of education, yes. I am a huge believer in the power of education, and it just so happens that Jewish culture places great emphasis on education and skill development. The results are apparent in any number of ways. For an anecdotal example (which Hitchens mentions in this debate), just look at the number of Jewish Nobel prize winners.

OK and what culture places no importance on education?

Yes, a bunch of sweaty hicks running around going, "We cant have dem faggits gettin' married, it'll ruin America and God," right before they beat their wives is a prime example of the importance of education amongst the Christian community.

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on April 14, 2011, 05:24:07 PM

Quote from: New Earth on April 14, 2011, 05:18:50 PM

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

In terms of education, yes. I am a huge believer in the power of education, and it just so happens that Jewish culture places great emphasis on education and skill development. The results are apparent in any number of ways. For an anecdotal example (which Hitchens mentions in this debate), just look at the number of Jewish Nobel prize winners.

OK and what culture places no importance on education?

Christianity. Not modern Christianity, the old burn-the-witch-and-kill-the-heathens one. But the point is that they place a much higher importance on it than other cultures do.

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on April 14, 2011, 05:24:07 PM

Quote from: New Earth on April 14, 2011, 05:18:50 PM

Do you imply that Jewish culture is superior MR. Admin?

In terms of education, yes. I am a huge believer in the power of education, and it just so happens that Jewish culture places great emphasis on education and skill development. The results are apparent in any number of ways. For an anecdotal example (which Hitchens mentions in this debate), just look at the number of Jewish Nobel prize winners.

OK and what culture places no importance on education?

False dilemma.

So the only reason they are powerful is because their culture puts an emphasis on education? Would you say they have the most?

So the only reason they are powerful is because their culture puts an emphasis on education? Would you say they have the most?

I'm not saying it's the only reason, but this "Jews are SOOOO powerful" stuff reeks of dark age black-magic accusations. Whatever power they have they owe to their cultural emphasis on education and achievement. Knowledge is power.

When I went to college, in all honesty the most hard working students were Asians. In my school it was Koreans, Chinese and Indians. They literally studied all day. I know many Jews who got no education at all. Go to Brooklyn NY and see what the Russian Jews are doing there. Sure they make millions of dollars, but not by their educational achievements but my Mob activity and con work.

Look at the history of Las Vegas, Jewish organized crime written all over it. A lot of Eastern European Jews are wanted by various countries for money laundering and tax evasions. I got nothing against the Jews. My dad is Jewish, but you just gotta call it how it is.

Yes, but Asian communities in the United States are one of the great immigration success stories, and many attribute that to emphasis on education and professional acheivement. Of course there are still criminal elements within the Asian community, but that's true of any community (including the Jewish community). However, there is a clear link between success and education, and that is just as true of nations as it is of cultures.

Yes, but Asian communities in the United States are one of the great immigration success stories, and many attribute that to emphasis on education and professional acheivement. Of course there are still criminal elements within the Asian community, but that's true of any community (including the Jewish community). However, there is a clear link between success and education, and that is just as true of nations as it is of cultures.

So what you really trying to say is that blacks don't give a shit about education, LOL

Yes, but Asian communities in the United States are one of the great immigration success stories, and many attribute that to emphasis on education and professional acheivement. Of course there are still criminal elements within the Asian community, but that's true of any community (including the Jewish community). However, there is a clear link between success and education, and that is just as true of nations as it is of cultures.

but you dont need very high education to be successful

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on April 14, 2011, 06:04:00 PM

Yes, but Asian communities in the United States are one of the great immigration success stories, and many attribute that to emphasis on education and professional acheivement. Of course there are still criminal elements within the Asian community, but that's true of any community (including the Jewish community). However, there is a clear link between success and education, and that is just as true of nations as it is of cultures.

but you dont need very high education to be successful

Absolutely correct. I'm a perfect example of that. I got a high education but I'm not very successful, lol

Quote from: vhu9644 on April 14, 2011, 09:28:12 PM

Quote from: Lord Wilmore on April 14, 2011, 06:04:00 PM

Yes, but Asian communities in the United States are one of the great immigration success stories, and many attribute that to emphasis on education and professional acheivement. Of course there are still criminal elements within the Asian community, but that's true of any community (including the Jewish community). However, there is a clear link between success and education, and that is just as true of nations as it is of cultures.

but you dont need very high education to be successful

Absolutely correct. I'm a perfect example of that. I got a high education but I'm not very successful, lol

isnt that the isnt that the converse of what i said?

i think you will get the power you work for.  it is just you need the skills and the ingenuity to do so