Penn Jillette: Reading the Bible (Or the Koran, Or the Torah) Will Make You an Atheist | Big Think

TL;DR

Reading the Bible and exploring theological questions led Penn Jillette to become an atheist and find inspiration from like-minded individuals.

Transcript

In my church group in Greenfield, Massachusetts at the age of about 16 or 17, I had made a deal with my mom and dad—I was very, very close to my mom and dad. I'm a real momma's boy and got along with them my whole life, hardly even rough periods. And they went to the Congregationalist church: The Church of the Covered Dish Supper in Greenfield, Mas... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫠 Reading religious texts in their entirety can challenge one's belief system by exposing contradictions, controversial themes, and disturbing stories.
• 🤗 Open discussions and inquiries about religion can lead to expulsion from religious groups, highlighting the resistance to questioning or doubting faith.
• 🇨🇫 Finding inspiration and community in openly atheist public figures can provide a sense of belonging and validation for individuals exploring atheism.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why would reading the Bible make you an atheist?

Reading the Bible in its entirety exposes the darker aspects often ignored, such as disturbing stories, contradictions, and the absence of a sense of shared humanity, leading one to question its divine origin and reject its teachings.

Q: How did reading theological texts from the library contribute to Jillette's journey?

The library's theologica section allowed Jillette to explore various perspectives and arguments, promoting critical thinking and leading him to question his beliefs even further.

Q: How did the presence of openly atheist public figures influence Jillette?

Learning that respected individuals like Martin Mull, Randy Newman, and Frank Zappa were atheists provided Jillette with a sense of belonging, inspiration, and confidence in his non-belief, especially in a predominantly Christian community.

Q: How has the acceptance of atheism changed over time?

While atheism was once considered taboo, it is now experiencing significant growth in the United States, with polls indicating over 20% identifying as atheists, potentially making it the fastest growing "religion" in America's history.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Penn Jillette made a deal with his parents to attend youth group in exchange for not attending church services, which sparked his interest in theology.

• He took his inquiry into theological questions seriously, reading the Bible cover-to-cover, and concluded that reading religious texts can turn someone into an atheist.

• Jillette's conversations about his doubts eventually led to his expulsion from the youth group and the influence of atheist figures like Martin Mull, Randy Newman, and Frank Zappa.