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University of the Western Cape gender and religion scholar Prof Sarojini Nadar responded to an article by TimesLIVE analyst and contributor Eusebius McKaiser in which he had argued that the God he was taught about in Catholicism does not exist.
McKaiser argues that the characteristics of being all-loving, all-powerful and all-knowing are incompatible with the existence of natural evils like devastating floods and earthquakes.
Nadar did not reject all of McKaiser's philosophical analysis, but expanded the conversation by explaining why she had abandoned, in her own personal journey and academic work, a conception of God that invokes notions of “might, masculinity and militarism”.
In this edition of Eusebius on TimesLIVE, Nadar expands on the conversation that began on TimesLIVE. She starts off by sharing her personal journey from a Pentecostal upbringing to her discovery of black, feminist and queer works which engage her faith.
McKaiser then challenges Nadar on whether the very idea of a transcendental being is necessary for one to be committed to black radical thought, feminism and justice. They also discuss the strategic importance of engaging and working with religious communities to achieve social justice in society, regardless of what one thinks about the metaphysical claims of those who believe in a supernatural being.
Nadar and McKaiser also reflect on religion and humour, and whether it is ever wrong to have playful discussion about religious beliefs.
They end the episode by debating whether it is important for religious beliefs to be true or whether religious beliefs and practices can be defended by appealing to the (potential) benefits for individuals and society.
To listen to previous episodes, go here.
Subscribe for free future episodes: iono.fm, Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Player.fm, Pocket Cast
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