May 17, 2012

You are here: Home / News / Atheist Ricky Gervais would fight for people's right to have religion, even though their beliefs are wrong

Atheist Ricky Gervais would fight for people's right to have religion, even though their beliefs are wrong

February 17, 2012 By 4 Comments

Ricky Gervais with Piers MorganActor and comedian Ricky Gervais was interviewed this month on CNN's Piers Morgan Show about his atheism and views on religion.

"When someone's arguing with me that the earth is 5,000 years old, yes, I'm smiling," he told Morgan about his Twitter debates.  "Of course, I'm smiling.  The fundamentalist view of the creation of the earth is rather like an episode of the Flinstones, so I have to laugh."

He said that god-fearing Americans should not take exception with his lack of belief.  "I say to them," referring to those who are offended by his atheism, "tell me the reasons why you don't believe in all the other gods and that's the reason I don't believe in yours.  I've got nothing against people who believe in god at all, you know.  In fact, if it did make you a kinder person,  and you did good things in his name, then great, but there's the rub.  It's when — I've seen some of these religious fundamentalists saying that they've told their 5-year-old children if they turn out gay, they will burn in hell.  That, to me, is child abuse.  That's nothing to do with religion or spirituality, that's child abuse.  So that's why I'm passionate."

Morgan asked about the Republican candidates who make anti-gay remarks  based on their religious beliefs.  "Well, this goes back to offense [...] Just because they're offended by someone being gay, it doesn't mean they're right.  You know, it's a strange thing, they say that being gay is a choice.  Being gay isn't a choice.   You know, I want to go, 'You try it then.  Here's a choice, have a go.  See how much you like it.'"

The comedian spoke highly of America's opportunities and the freedoms in both America and England to criticize.  "Freedom of speech to me one of the most important things discovered, and I'd fight for that right.  And even though I don't believe in God and don't believe in — I treat all religions the same — even though I believe they're wrong, not morally wrong [...], but if someone said, 'We're banning religion,' I'd march to not ban because it's your right to believe what you want, and it's your right to be wrong, and I'll fight for that right."


{video link}

Buffer

God Discussion Reporter

Deborah is the owner and administrator of the site, starting it in February 2009. She received her business education at the University of Texas and operates a number of websites and small businesses. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work and editing.

More Posts - Website - Twitter

Auto-Generated Related Posts (Use the Search for Better Results)

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
  • Kevin Walker

    I mostly agree with Mr. Gervais. However, his view that a person has a "right to be wrong" overlooks the very real consequences that such a view might have on others. The problem is not the ignorant beliefs they may have, it is the harmful behavior that such beliefs engender.

  • http://youmademesayit.com PhillyChief

    I don't know why this is so surprising for believers. Most atheists are not out to ban, censor or in any way outlaw religion. Opposing tax dollars for 10 commandment displays, prayers at government meetings, religious banners in public schools and so on are not about that at all. That's all about preserving our constitution and protecting the freedoms of everyone as opposed to allowing one group to have freedoms at the expense of others.

    As an example, let's replace religion with alcohol. I would think most would be opposed to beer posters in public schools or having to make a toast as part of the Pledge of Allegiance but that doesn't mean you'd want Prohibition. You're free to drink insofar as drinking doesn't impose on anyone else. It's that way with all of our freedoms. You're free to listen to music but if it's too loud, the police might be knocking on your door with a noise complaint. You're free to say whatever you want but invoking a riot or slandering another isn't permitted. I could go on, but the point is there are limits to all of our freedoms, and those limits are where others begin. As Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "the freedom to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose."

  • http://www.justfilm.co.uk ChrisP

    Ricky Gervais comes from the UK where there is a battle going on right now because the National Secular Society objects to public prayers (Christian prayers) being said before each meeting of Bideford Town Council. A judge has found in favour of the NSS because, he says, the Council have no right in law to hold the prayers during Council Meetings. The National government, however, has responded by stating it will amend the law.

    The obvious compromise is for the prayers to be replaced by a period of silence for individuals to use in what ever way they wish – to pray, to meditate or just to reflect on the business ahead. But some defenders of "the faith" (not necessarily the Church itself) are up in arms at this "attack on Britain's Christian values". In reality, of course, Britain, in common with most states, largely ignores Christian values. How else can you explain our love of military might and our obscene wealth in the face of abject global poverty? Are they Christian Values?

  • http://tinyurl.com/blogger-raven Raven

    I would take far more seriously these councillors' claim to be concerned with upholding Christian values if(1) they prayed privately rather than publicly [see Matthew 6:5-6], and(2) they spent all this energy and attention instead upon feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and providing medical care to the sick.