The Curious Case of Brad’s Vacant Pit
by Jason Killian MeathBrad Pitt was recently asked by German magazine Bild if he believed in God. Pitt smiled and answered: “No, no, no!” Then, asked if his soul was spiritual, he once again said: “No, no, no!” Adding: “I’m probably “20 percent atheist and 80 percent agnostic.” With that, the shrieks of millions of women who dreamed of a storybook church wedding with Mr. Pitt could be heard crying out across the planet.
The comment is sure to cause a few ripples from the man who once played the son of a preacher man in the spiritual A River Runs Through It. What’s more, Pitt advises there is no use thinking about God or a higher power — we’ll find out when we get there, he says. Umm, get where Brad? The Beverly Hills Hotel in the sky? It never ceases to amaze to hear celebrities speak out about religion – or a lack thereof. In a business where vainglory is king, perhaps it is not surprising many in Hollywood are said to lack religion. Que Sera Sera — free country, right?
Pitt’s charity work after Katrina has been widely applauded, but how does a soul become so adrift in the face of such good works? Through his Make It Right Foundation, he has undoubtedly spent many hours of hard work toiling over ways to rebuild New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Much of the work seems highly concentrated in green architecture, a luxury to most. But hey, if he can make it affordable to those who desperately need a roof over their head, so be it (worth noting: he seeks stimulus funds to build these designer homes). And, in a funny twist, the name of the first neighborhood to receive the fruits of all this labor is an embodiment of Christianity itself… the “Holy Cross” section in the Lower Ninth Ward.
Pitt might look even closer around New Orleans, his “second home” and the place where he feels a deep connection to the people. The city is a melting pot of religion so profound and powerful, it would take a thousand Katrinas to eclipse. Perhaps he would be surprised at the ways residents in the Lower Ninth Ward have turned to religion and community churches as an unorthodox way of fighting crime in neighborhoods that struggle for survival. Perhaps he should visit an African-American congregation on Sunday morning and listen to the bustling choirs (if your soul is still unmoved, you need to check your pulse). Or, he could always find some rowdy Creoles or a few Voodoo Queens to really shake up his spirit.
If he’s still searching after all that, can’t he find a spark of spirituality in the innocent eyes of one of his six children — adopted or biological? As a parent, the purity of mind, body and spirit of a child is often miraculous and can move the soul quite unexpectedly. Pitt, and his wife Angelina Jolie, have traveled the world finding children — scooping them from war zones, disease and poverty — giving them opportunities in life they never would have dreamed possible. Still running on empty Brad?
Oh well, there’s always Deities-R-Us! Look, I don’t have an ax to grind with Brad Pitt — I enjoy many of his films — and I’ve just written a book singing praises of his extensive charitable work with Jolie. My only point is this: it’s a curious case indeed when one can’t find a little spirituality in leading such a charitable life.
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161 Comments
true story…
There was once an incident when, pinned down by murderous enemy crossfire, several G.I.'s were taking stock of their diminishing future prospects. One, an old E-6 started the Lord's Prayer. A younger but educated PFC claimed 'there is no God'.
An enemy 81mm mortar round landed just feet away from their position. After the debris had settled and the ears stopped ringing the PFC was heard saying 'God save me!'…
The moral to the story is the old axiom- there are no atheists in a foxhole. Maybe what Mr Pitt needs is an 81mm
wakeup call…
Liberals get the government to do their charity for them which is why Hollywood celebrity cares more about cultivating their external image than developing heart and soul.
The Church of Hollywood: cheap tricks on the Big Screen; empty shells in life.
One wonders if Mr. Pitt understands what 80% agnostic means. My understanding of agnostics is that they don't know what to believe and want proof of something. I'm not going to shoot Mr. Meath down for suggesting all sorts of routes for Mr. Pitt to goose his soul and experience something deeper than just our day to day existence. I understand what he means. How do you spend so much time involved in such a stew of spirituality immersing yourself in such good works and not feel touched in some way that leads you to wonder if there is something more than crude existence? Can Mr. Pitt really be that shallow?
You buried the lede. He is seeking stimulus funds for his charity. The 5th most highly paid movie star wants gubmint money for his do-gooding. You know, Brad — it's not philanthropy if you use someone else's money.
Jeez, guys, this is pretty thin gruel to jump start your customary two-minute hate with. But I guess it doesn't take much for you all, does it?
you seem to enjoy it just fine- and remember your Orwell- it is the Left that hates with all of it atheistic might…
God exists AND had a sense of humor.
If you doubt me, go rent Cutting Class starring Mr. Pitt.
I'm indifferent on this one… he was asked a question and he answered to the best of his beliefs. I don't begrudge the mans opinion or his beliefs, it is what it is… let it be. I'm a conservative, but to each his own in matters of the spirit.
Belief in God or a soul is not needed to be a good person. Why does it matter if Brad Pitt hasn't found spirituality? That doesn't mean he's searching for it. Some people are perfectly moral, happy, complete people without feeling the need to add a mystical element to it.
"It is the Left that hates with all its atheistic might…" This from a guy who just suggested that Brad Pitt be shot at. Cute.
I think his point was that in New Orleans, there is a church on practically every street corner. Off the top of my head, I can think of seven churches within walking distance of my house.
so you took that from the story, eh?
You're just a clueless as the not so bright Mr Pitt. If you took your brain out of your rear end for a brief moment you would understand that there are moments when you realize your millions or your good looks or whatever are worth NOTHING… these are defining moments when you either believe in God or not- and the spectre of a Dirt Nap (your belief?) is not comfitting…
If Pitt is 80% agnostic, will he raise 4.8 of his children that way?
Oddly, I was just looking at a book that documented how religious beliefs and/or spirituality (including atheistic meditation) have distinct beneficial effects…
I agree with you.
I don't think there's anything curious about it at all. It's not an anomaly that the most famously "nonreligious" among us do the most (slightly self-promotional) charity work. After all, if you don't believe in a religious system of merits and sins, how else do you salve your conscience for all the "take" you do from the world? I'm not saying those are conscious motivations, but it's worth considering.
I find it ironic that the side of the aisle that claims to have more understanding about belief seems to have no compassion towards poor atheists like me. While I have no objections to the beliefs of any of my friends, and indeed have quite a few religious friends and tolerate their ideas and have even enjoyed going to their church services (the music can be quite enjoyable!), I'm allowed, by my friends, to believe whatever I believe without, I hope, their assuming that I'm, ipso facto, evil.
Also, while New Orleans may indeed be a very religious city (which I used to call home), it is also a very violent, dangerous city, and not at all a place I'd call a nice place to live. Perhaps people like me would be more amenable to religion if we saw that it created better communities than it seems to. My experience has been that the neighborhoods with the most churches are also the ones with the most drive-by shootings.
Also, thanks to the poster who commented that there are no atheists in foxholes. My experience has shown me that there aren't very many atheists in prison, either. Atheists may not know the mysteries of the universe, but we certainly know what places to avoid.
Pitt is entitled to his beliefs, and at least he's more honest than the dipsticks who claim they are "spiritual" but in reality only worship themselves. That said, I'd love to ask him what he thinks the point of all of his and his partner's good works if there's nothing beyond death.
For the Far Left Hollyweird Sacred Cows there is no GOD. There's only Government and the Power Player's that they Know. I wonder if They or their Children where in a Tight Spot or had to Face a Tough Call Who would They call out to … Some Favored Politico?…The William Morris Agency? or GOD?…..I'll put My Money on the Last Choice and… So Will They.
Old Tom,
Brad Pitt didn't say, "it's all b.s." Matter of fact he didn't even imply that. By his own admission he’s “mostly” agnostic.
It’s amusing in a way, because it reminds me of ‘Lilies of the Field’ with Sidney Poitier. The local atheist helps build the chapel. His (Juan’s) reasoning:
“To me, it is insurance. To me, life is here on this earth. I cannot see further, so I cannot believe further. But, if they are right about the hereafter, I have paid my insurance, Senor.”
So, Mr. Pitt seems to be hedging his bets.
So you have to be spiritual and/or religious to get fulfillment out of charity work? Maybe Pitt recognizes that helping out the Katrina victims was just the right thing to do. If anything, it's more impressive if somebody is charitable on their own accord than if they're just trying to please their Higher Power. I have nothing against belief in God on principle but this holier-than-thou attitude is most perplexing.
The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers – motto "Atheists in Foxholes" – disagrees with you. Even if that story were true, it wouldn't establish your point, I'm afraid.
I wonder if unbelief often has something to do with an inability or desire to thank someone else. It is not always about you.
And asking for stimulis money, another form of govt welfare.
Just because a belief is comforting doesn't mean it's true. The famous Christian apologist C.S. Lewis argued against such thinking in his book, "The Screwtape Letters", when he had his devil say, "Believe this, not because it's true, but for some other reason…"
Poor lost soul! He worships at the altar of "self" as so many do in our society today.
Pitt is simply trying to be European, where most of the population is atheist. I don't know why Hollywood celebs think Europe is the end all in everything and that Americans are only cool, with it, intelligent, or enlightened if we ape them. Funny thing is, if one actually lives there, not as a tourist but as someone shopping at the grocery stores and whatnot, you find that Europeans are actually fascinated with Americans. Europeans are a somewhat depressed people, mostly due to their socialistic governments sucking the live out of them, while Americans are typically carefree, happy, and optimistic WHILE in Europe, while in the sea of mild despair, painful melancholy, whatever. It's this American characteristic that annoys them so much. Typical Hollywood thinks this depression is "deep" and "intellectual" when in reality, Europeans want to FEEL. Americans carry with us our hope- I really think that's why many liberals hate Americans, because the beliefs and lifestyles of far-left liberals doesn't lend itself to happiness, and certainly not selflessness that almost any religion would require.
Brad's entitlement to not believe in God is his choice. Won't stop God in working his miracles when and how he chooses.
Why do you think that one must believe that anything more than "crude existence" just has to be supernatural? Can't something be understandable and still marvelous?
This seems like an unnecessary article to me. Brad Pitt is not a "celebrity speaking out against religion," he was simply answering an interview question. It's not like he called a town hall to preach an atheist/agnostic lifestyle. The author also implies that Pitt is searching but cannot find religion or spirituality, where it seems to me that he's not really looking and is content with his current views.
My point is, as the author points out, that in America we are free to maintain whatever beliefs we choose. Pitt has demonstrated that he values his fellow man as evident by his numerous charitable works and just because he doesn't attend that same church as us (or any church for that matter) is not reason enough to speak ill of him in my opinion.
20 percent atheist, 80 percent agnostic — 100 percent clueless.
Most of these Hollywood types do believe in a god– themselves.
Mr. Pitt is exactly right when he says "we'll find out when we get there". Unfortunately, then it will be too late to make a choice. Only those who aknowlege God through the work of His Son will spend eternity with him. It is not enough to do "good works". It saddens me how we take a gift so simple and make it something so complicated. If someone handed you a million dollars with no strings atatched, would you accept it, or would you question the motive, or would you assume you had to do all manner of things to deserve it? Atheist, agnostic, spiritualist, etc… Believe what you want. It won't change the fact that every knee shall bow.
they are certainly welcome to disagree. It why it's called 'faith'…
maybe so. But you must admit it is interesting that only when confronted with your own mortality you tend to WANT to believe- and, after all that is the main tenet of faith…
by the by, the story is most definitely true…
it's interesting to note that Brad is the son of an Assembly of God pastor….hmmmm
I suspect what Pitt means is that most of the time he doesn't really know, but often (say, 20% of the time) feels an odd kind of certainty about there not being a God. I've known quite a few agnostics who've described their beliefs that way. I've also known a few people who alternate between being agnostic and theistic depending on their mood. I had one say that he was "half agnostic and half Jewish." Meaning, in those moments where his doubt wavered, he reverted to the Judaism of his youth.
I don't see this as all that complicated or controversial. It's just human nature.
Please don't infer that I missed the thoroughly profound import of your "story," dcase. I got it. And it's horseshit. Which leaves one with: you would like Brad Pitt to be shot at. Period.
The fact is that, comparatively, there aren't that many atheists *at all.* And many tend to keep their atheism to themselves. Of course, I've known a few soldiers who said that there are, in fact, many atheists in the armed forces. The idea that facing mortality suddenly makes agnostics and atheists into theists is a comfortably fiction that religious people tell themselves to feel better about their own choices. And I say this as a theist myself.
Matthew 7:16 "Ye shall know them by their fruits." I think Pitt's good works speak for themselves. My dear father-in-law, beloved by all who know him because of his just, kind and productive life as one of the editors of a prominent libertarian print newspaper, is sure he will disappear into dust when the body dies, that there is nothing to him but the body. I just joke with him about it, and say, "Just do me a favor, and if you find, once your body has died, that you are still alive, don't then try and pretend that you are really dead!" He will stick to his guns to the end, and then hopefully will not go into a self-willed unconsciousness, instead of leaping in to whatever new opportunity will present itself.
It leaves you with that, but that's just you.
I tend to agree with you, but I can also express my disbelief that someone could not feel something deeper to what they're doing than just the surface when involved to the depth that Mr. Pitt is. I know I feel a profound sense of satisfaction when I do the difficult but right thing that has little to do with the surface satisfaction of just being an everyday good person which is where I base my disbelief from. YMMV
Interesting article, Jason, and if Gregory's comment is true, Pitt is the ultimate rebellious PK (pastor's kid). But I'm surprised that, while doing research for your book, you did not learn that Jolie is not Pitt's wife, as you state in this post. She is the woman for whom Pitt left his wife.
Wrong again nitwit… The 'story' is true, and if you didn't understand the deeper context it just advertises your intellectual limitations for all to see. We happen to like Mr Pitt- it's a defining moment in his privileged life that he lacks. As, apparently do you…
I think your experiences with your religious friends are the norm and not the exception. I have quite a few friends who don't share my faith. I don't push my views on them and expect them to likewise respect my views. It's not my job to try to convince them to live their lives with a certain belief system; I witness by simply being myself. It's also not my place to judge. We all have to find our own paths through life, and you, like my friends, are an adult capable of making your way. In the end, whatever happens will happen and I seriously doubt any of us will be in any position to say "I told you so" one way or the other.
There was no way anyone could reasonably infer that dcase wants Pitt to be shot at. Only if one stretched things very far, as you have, could that be said, but just because an ostritch and a giraffe have long necks, it does not make them relatives.
Things to keep in mind about self righteously calling yourself an Agnostic; if you have doubts, you have doubts; all people of faith do from time to time.
Agnostic comes the Greek word, “gnosis” which is knowledge. When you place the preposition “a” in front of a Greek word, it means the opposite, or without. Muse means to think, amusements are without thought.
So an “agnostic” is someone without knowledge. In the case of Brad Pitt (and other Hollywood elites), the Latin word is more appropriate… Ignoramus
I think his ex-wife would have preferred he had been a little more "moral" and "complete" before screwing around and ditching her for someone else.
And how full are they on Sundays?
With Parishoners, that is. Not tourists come to see the architecture.
I don't know where to find the stats but I do believe that religious people, on the whole, do far more charity work via time spent volunteering and through charitable donations (goods and money) than do non-religious people.
The most famously "nonreligious", and I assume you mean hollywood celebs, do self-promotional charity work because it gets them attention, soothes the itch of selfishness and makes them look like nice people. The next minute though they trash Christians as bigoted homophobes. These folks DO NOT do "the most charity work". Observant, religious people FAR AND AWAY out-do atheists and agnostics in that regard.
Interesting….two readings of Jason's piece here and I can find no scintilla of "hate" directed toward Brade Pitt there. Perhaps you are so eager to find "hate" in Mr. Meath because you are full of it yourself.
There aren't amny atheists in prison because:
1) Finding "religion" gets you on the better side of the parole board,
2) in the case of prison Islam, it gets you protection and
2) for those who TRULY convert, it helps with loneliness and can reduce the chance of recidivism.
Also, the violence in N.O. is NOT the fault of the churches in any way. They do outreach, believe me. It is better blamed on those who do not attend church. THOSE people need to help build better communities, but they are selfish, so they do not care about community. "I, me, mine" is their "religion".
I'll say it a million times, LIBERALISM is the root of all evil.
There's four Starbucks within walking distance of my house. Doesn't mean I go in.
Being 38% Catholic, 43% Qigong and 57% metaphysically abused I agree.
The Presbyterian Church only has about 15 members. The Methodist Church, Episcopal Church and the Church of Christ seem fairly active. The Baptist Church and the Catholic Churches in the area seem to be fairly full. I, myself, no longer am a regular church goer (am, in theory, an Episcopalian). The majority of people in New Orleans are Roman Catholic, and, while the diocese has closed some churches, you can not escape Catholicism in the culture here.
Well, let's not forget that the people responsible for 9/11 were extremely religious. And my point about New Orleans is that religion may not cause a violent community, but it certainly doesn't end that violence, either. Let's face it, the most religious place on earth is the middle east, does that make it a happy, peaceful place to be? Oh, and if liberalism is the root of all evil, does that mean there wasn't any evil before liberalism came to be? I think you'd have a hard time proving it.
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Hell, Teddy "where's the open bar?" Kennedy and the Chris "the world's oldest fratboy" Dodd and other like minded millionaires in the U.S. Congress have been playing philanthropist with the taxpayers money for decades!
The fool says "There is no God.."
having served with all sorts of beliefs the one constant was the non-beievers were quite happy to be around men of faith when the proverbial stuff hit the fan- in the SpcOps community you find an inordinate amount of Objectivists- Ayn Rand devotees- who are not religious whatsoever.
They were on the same philosophical plane of allowing free men to believe… a wonderfully liberating concept.
"Welcome to the Hotel California…"
What is a "theoretical" Episcopalian?
"My experience has been that the neighborhoods with the most churches are also the ones with the most drive-by shootings. "
Perhaps that's where they're most needed.
That'd be nice, but typically non-religious folks do charity work to get attention. That's all. A few might do it out of pure altruism but those people are definitely the exception and NOT the rule.
I suppose you've never bought your wife flowers just because you love her? I suppose you've never spent hours building a tree house for your kids just because it will bring them joy?
When you love someone, great efforts and sacrifice flow naturally from your love.
Can't figure out what you find perplexing about that.
You confuse "religious" with "fanatical" which is what a lot of liberal leftists do.
RELIGION does not end violence, PEOPLE who stop being so self-absorbed and love their neighbors and community help to end violence. RELIGION cannot act. People can.
Fanaticism in the middle east (on the part of Muslims, I will add) causes problems.
I was being a wee bit sarcastic on the liberalism thing, but do tell me ONE good thing that liberalism has brought to mankind. I will show you how it was either 1) NOT good, or 2) NOT liberalism that brought it.
May be, DontTread, but having religion or spirituality didn't stop the same thing from happening to Ted Haggard or Newt Gingrich. I think that further illustrates my point that spirituality and morality are separate variables.
Ya, but apparently he operates under a different set of morals and values than many work-a-day average Americans. If moral relativism needs a poster boy, well, they have a "pin up boy" ready and waiting.
So, you think it's a compensatory need to "do good"? That could be true…
Cool, so not "believeing" is another form of belief? Could be…
Faith is not a "magic bullet" against sin and temptation. It only means that when one sins, that person should REPENT sincerely and not repeat the sin. Has Gingrich or Haggard repeated the sins?
Many on the left seem to think that since man is fallible, and since man sins, he should not even TRY to do better. The left is all about "lowering the bar" when failure is around. You see it in the tests kids are given in school, in exams for promotions, and in social settings. The right believes we all can and should do better. The right believes in self-responsibility. The left believes in the lowest common denominator, in "feeling good" over "doing good", and in blaming others.
I don't dispute that liberalism hasn't done anyone any good; I myself am the perfect antithesis of liberalism, as any of my liberal acquaintances will bitterly attest. I wasn't arguing in favor of liberalism, I was arguing in favor of logic. Evil doesn't come from one cause, does it? I mean, if it were that simple, people wouldn't argue so much in the comment section, would they?
So please don't call me names like "liberal leftist", and I won't make the mistake of assuming that religion actually has anything to do with, well, anything at all. Deal?
Well, to be fair, Gingrich is on his third wife, so he didn't learn from his first failed marriage. And Pitt hasn't repeated his mistakes in his current marriage either.
As for your whole left wing/right wing thing, I though we were discussing religious v. non-religious. There are plenty og good little atheist right wingers out there, in the same way there are lots of religious left wingers. My initial question though, was why does the author seem to feel that Pitt needs religion, when when his actions (in the eyes of the author) seem honorable? If faith is not a magic bullet against sin and unhappiness, then why wonder how people can avoid sin and unhappiness without it?
I am glad Pitt left the door at least 80% open to the possibility of God.
I agree Crabby. It's not like he's trying to be Miss America or anything. He's just a guy answering a question honestly. Nothing to see here.
Pitt has been fooling around again, according to the supermarket racks.
For your initial question, ask the author.
Fine- I'm sorry I called you a liberal leftist.
According to the supermarket racks?! You've got to be kidding me. These are the same journalists that claim Sara Palin gave birth to Bristol's baby. How is it so hard to believe Pitt might be a decent guy who just happens to not believe in God?
Pitt is my absolutely best, most favored actor. All of my other "greats" are dead. So, I hope continually that Pitt keeps his mouth shut….I would hate to have to abandon him. Does he even understand what he has said? As a self described athiest I cringed at his statement.
And while we're at it, let's also not forget that Communist Russia under Stalin, Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution, the killing fields of Pol Pot, and Hitler's Germany were all very anti-religious places where millions were marched off to die. You can quibble some about Hitler's Germany because there were overtones of pagan religious sybolism there, but it was certainly very anti-traditional faith.
Sometimes, the secular are so quick to point out the plank in religion's eye that they miss the stick in their own. Evil knows no religion or lack thereof whether you believe in evil or not. Francis Collins said it best when it comes to evil and violence done in religion's name: When you pour the pure water of faith into the rusty vessel of mankind, you cannot expect that the pure water to remain perfect and clean, but to blame the pure water for the faults of its vessel which have besmirched it is wrong.
Hey, I agree with you! Totalitarianism is the greatest plague to assault this planet, no question about it, and I never said otherwise. But the horrible acts of totalitarianism are not an excuse for the horrible acts of religion, are they?
My only point is that religion doesn't seem to trump evil, so why criticize people for being atheists? I myself am an atheist, but have never supported totalitarian governments and never, personally, have I killed anyone, period. Yet I know of many people who have killed many of their fellow men; some of them atheists, some of them religious. Their victims, however, are all similarly dead. To characterize the religious murderers as misguided, while the totalitarian murderers are evil, strikes me as a bit hypocritical.
To quote a great movie line, I never heard a corpse ask how it got so cold.
Nothing. If you feel bad about the Katrina victims, great efforts and sacrifice flow naturally from your compassion. Nothing perplexing about that. What I find perplexing is the idea that Brad Pitt doing charity work without religious motivation is somehow hard to believe.
I didn't see it so much as critical of Pitt as it is disbelieving that he finds nothing in his surroundings or the things he does that stir his soul. The author doesn't even seem to be calling him to Christianity so much as wondering how he can not be deeply touched by what he does and derive more meaning from it beyond the material. I think it's a common feeling those of us with faith have when confronted by things that stir our souls. We simply wonder how others could be so tone-deaf to that deep sense of having touched something greater just for a moment.
It's no specific criticism, per se. I have the same feelings when I sit down to an excellent meal and that first explosion of flavor hits my tongue, and I turn to my husband and ask him if he noticed all the wonderful nuances, and he replies, "I noticed it was hot, mushy, and filling."
Hollywood goes over to Europe and says stuff like this. The only thing it has do with is keeping the Euros watching their movies. They go to the UK and laugh at stupid Americans; they go to Germany (the home of Sigmund Freud arguably the father of modern athiesm) and claim to be agnostic; they go to France and think 9-11 was an inside job. Then they come to America and say, for example, their movie really "celebrates" the American Military or whatever patriotic thing they can come up with.
It has nothing to do with conviction and everything to do with making more money.
Everyone is an Ignoramus until their death. Belief, however intense, should not be confused with knowledge. An Agnostic merely accepts this fact.
That's a mighty Staw Man you've constructed. If you have to pick fights with people (you claim) don't matter, why do you get out of bed in the morning? WHy do you keep breathing? Does the hate keep you going?
Well, that's the downside of freedom, I guess. You never know how some free person will freely respond to something. Also, it's a mistake to assume that everyone's soul is stirred in the same way. I mean, perhaps "hot, mushy, and filling" was your husband's way of saying it was an excellent meal.
Yes, you are correct, and that was poorly worded on my part. What I meant to say was that the reason that celebrities tend to do charity work that gets the most notoriety is because they give in such outlandish ways as a way to make up for the outlandishly self-centered lives they otherwise lead. Sorry for the confusion.
Brad Pitt is an idiot- flat out. i knew this when i heard him say in an interview, he had a "mode of operandis" when he meant to say a "modus operandi"…. shoulda finished that degree at mizzou, eh? he may be good hearted, although, he doing it with our money. As for agnostics, they're just fence sitters that know the truth on the inside but are too scared to admit it outwardly. As for atheists, most of them are posuers, as dcase & others, have shown. For the few "real" atheists out there, i have something far worse than a bomb exploding in a foxhole for you… a simple question– how does it feel to know that every second ticking off the clock brings you closer to absolute nothingness??? if you can't honestly answer that question straightfaced in a heartbeat, you aren't really an atheist. It is that simple. I put this to an atheist friend of mine
Like I tell every "agnostic" or athiest over the years: "Believe what you want, but you better be dead right; by that time it's too late."
Mr. Pitt and all the other athiests do believe… they believe in themselves as being almighty. I'd sure hate to be hanging my everlasting hat on that theory.
The old "religion is responsible for great evil" bit…
Religion is also the inspiration for great good, and great works of art.
The same cannot be said of atheism, agnosticism or Totalitarianism.
As someone who is 100% agnostic, I agree with what the reply posts are saying: I know it's hard for some true believers to understand, but agnostics are people that really want to believe, but are finding it hard to pin down what the specifics are. I was raised Catholic and so raised with certain specifics. I just found that sometimes such specifics don't make much sense to me logically. I always ask: if there is a God, all powerful and all knowing enough to create this universe, why would that God care if I ate meat on Fridays? Why would he be so interested in being worshipped in the exact same way by all 6 billion of us? I just find that it is hubris to state that one knows what God wants.
(cont'd)
I go with this: most respectable religions, whether they be monotheistic or polytheistic, believe that people need to be good to themselves (treat themselves with respect) and terat others well. To simply "be good", whatever that entails. If that's doing what Brad Pitt is doing, great. If it that is going to a man-made building and saying prayers and singing songs, that's great, too.
The fact is, in my relatively short life of 37 (almost 38 years), I have met both religious and non-religious people and even just plain old "spiritual" people. And the conclusion I come to is that ACTIONS, not professed belief is the key to it all. I have met Wiccans that I would trust with my life and the lives of my children and Christians that I wouldn't cross the street to pee on if they were on fire. And vice versa.
(cont'd)
Religious belief is not the be all and end all of "goodness" is what my final opinion is. There are times I "feel God" when I go to Church with my mom and I certainly have become a little more "religious" rather than "spiritual" of late. But I doubt that I would ever become a full-blown practicing Catholic (or any organized religion) again.
If Brad Pitt "feels spiritual" with the work that he is doing, the more power to him. He does more than most Hollywood types do IMHO.
And this does not take away anything from people who are religious in the traditional sense. More power to you.
Cheers.
This is a good point, and not lost on me- I cannot KNOW God exists any more than I KNOW anything else. I don't REALLY know that there are electrons. I've never seen one. I have been TOLD they exist. I feel what are purported to be their effects in my life and in my environment.
I guess I believe in electrons just as much as I believe in God.
Mr. Pitt is free to believe whatever he wants because this is the USA and that's the way we do things. (At least for now. I wouldn't fancy Brad's chances at his next celebrity schmoozefest if he suddenly announces "You know – I think global warming is a crock of s__t") I doubt if Mr. Pitt has any deeply-held convictions on anything that does not directly involve himself and probably regards religious worship as simply a rival form of show business.
Hate to be pedantic – but Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are not married. 2nd to last paragraph, 3rd sentence. Kind of an important point given the article…
To which I ask the question, "What's makes you think that the story is not true?" Also, I ask in what way, shape or form did dcase show disrespect for those that serve on the collective "our" behalf? By your statement, your are indeed implying that it is a political bludgeon and heavily in use by those of the other political persuation. To some, religion is a crutch. I understand that. Better religious belief than heavy drug dependence or reliance on psycho-analytical money grabbers. The statement, indeed, holds.
How can he maintain atheism/agnosticism "in the face of all those good works," you ask? Maybe it's because HE'S AN ATHEIST/AGNOSTIC! He's living proof that you don't need to be taking your queues from a supposed god in order to do good things.
There's a lot of sour grapes in this forum. When you thought he was with you, all his good works were wonderful & he was an amazing humanitarian. Find out he doesn't share your theology & suddenly he's a narcissistic Hollywood fake who's just pretending to care. Pathetic.
Okay. I give up. You're right; atheists like me are responsible for nothing but evil and there hasn't been a single act in my life that could be conceivably misconstrued as good or great, and your bias against anything that doesn't agree with you and your worldview is justified.
Happy now?
Kinda funny how those "inferences" seem to be so readily visible to some yet, nonexistent…….or, not.
it's inferred………….lol
His WIFE Angelina Jolie? Did they get married?
Someone please point me to an article where Pitt and Jolie MARRIED. I follow Angelina's humanitarian work and I never noticed her getting MARRIED.
No. Your debate skills are weak and your reading comprehension is worse. I'll never get these minutes back.
Seriously, you think someone is actually suggesting that Pitt should be shot at with an 81mm shell? That's stupid. The words were chosen poorly, but I'm not fooled.
If someone wanted to spook him good a case of elephantiasis would do a better job than artillery lobbed his way, anyhow.
–You confuse "religious" with "fanatical" which is what a lot of liberal leftists do.–
Absolutely true. Never,…… EVER did the views of a Swaggart, Fallwell, …..whomever agree with my views. They may spout similar things but they are/were shams. I found them more a source of comedy than any kind of theologic honesty. Many SANE liberal leaning individuals I am aquainted with are, genuinely religious. They are religious within themselves and don't push anything on anyone. I respect that immensely. Then again, I live smack dab in the middle of fly-over country and…….loving it!
I don't believe in Brad Pitt.
we stand by our wording; it was an attempt, anyway at sarcasm- the proverbial 'wake up call' in his world would be something that moves him to look beyond that which he has so much of-
and so little of as well…
we agree.
It's interesting to see the take on various comments about the estimable Mr Pitt. No one has seriously insulted him- just pointed out he may be a bit vacuous… and remember, no one hates like the Haters.
We are too busy having fun and making money to hate anyone…
You'll never get those minutes back? You mean, there ISN'T an afterlife??!! Damn, just when you had me convinced. Oh, well…
It means I am mad at the people running the church and don't feel welcome in the church where I was christened, confirmed and married.
Mr. Meath –
What do you mean by "spirituality", exactly? You seem to suggest that any form of spiritual expression is just as good as the next ("Voodoo Queens"? Good Lord).
But in that, you're really no different than Brad Pitt. If either a black church choir or a voodoo priestess sacrificing chickens could be employed to "shake up your spirit", then there's not really any difference between the two in terms of the apprehension of the infinite. There's either one true pathway to God, or there's just a bunch of crap that people have made up. They can't all be right.
So, before I adopt that brand of ecumenism, I'll join Brad Pitt and say it's all b.s.
I find it amazing how many people think that God and religious beliefs can be separated from "doing the right thing" or having "morals". Where do you think morality comes from? It comes from God, not nature. Humans are the only creatures created that have an understanding of "do not steal", "do not murder", "do not commit adultery"…nature does not teach this, God does. Whether or not we abide by God's morality is the choice He allows us to make everyday. Pitt is like many others in his industry, too egotistical to recognize a higher power other than himself. The homes in the lower 9th ward that Pitt is helping to rehab under green initiative have now increased from values of $50-$60k to $100k…how exactly does that help the residents of this area whose income is anywhere from 15k to 25k per year?? Whose going to help them qualify for homes that are now more expensive? Oh yeah, Fannie and Freddie.
Good point. I asked someone who "said" they were atheist.."what if you're wrong"…to which they retorted, "well what if YOUR wrong". I said, "well, if I'm wrong, and you're right that there is no God, what does it matter, not like there would be a Hell to burn in then. Now if YOUR wrong and I'm right, then think how you would explain to God why you didn't believe in Him while nervously watching the big red lever His Almighty hand rests on"..lol They didn't think I was funny.
Why do you equate "agnostic" or "atheist" with empty? He sounds like a nice person with a full life who shares that and does well by others, in other words, a happy person. I can think of LOTS of church goers I have known who may consider themselves spiritual, but who are smug, selfish, insecure and "wanting" and not a bit content with their lives and who have not a lot of goodness to spread around and are only nice with an eye on getting brownie points from God.
Kinda like Sarandon / Tim Robbins
Shacking up
Having kids
Great role models !
/spit
See, to me, when someone says they are agnostic, they are open to having that spiritual experience, but they haven't necessarily had it yet. In my opinion (totally mine), once you've had that experience, you can't doubt that there is something deeper than our day to day reality. Now, how you choose to interpret that spiritual experience is completely up to you. The plethora of religions, cults, and spiritual philosophies that surround us is good evidence of that. For all I care, Mr. Pitt could have his "come-to-Jesus" moment and decide that Scientology is all for him, become a Buddhist monk, or a Hindi Sadhu; how he chooses to express it is his personal decision.
Whether you are agnostic or an atheist, you still believe in a god. Certainly, not the God, but a god. It might be money, fame, power, or simply self. Self is always a co-god in the lives of agnostics, atheists and plenty of people proclaiming to be Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons and Scientologists as well. Hollywood people receive healthy doses of money, fame, power and every self-gratifying pleasure money can buy. Its not so surprising to find plenty of them agnostic, or atheist.
Interesting point about finding God in children. I wasn't raised in a religious home, I married in my husband's church, but when I first looked into my newborn's eyes and she looked back at me (or maybe when I felt that first kick) I not only knew there was a God, but that He blessed me.
Perhaps Pitt hasn't experienced that moment yet, but I do give him props for walking the walk and not just talking the talk re: helping people.
Why should he worship God when he believes he is a god himself? His role as Achilles in Troy taught him a lot about hubris in the ancient Greek sense of the word, however, it didn't sink in that ulitmately Achilles hubris is what killed him. What a tool.
As an atheist I can completely understand what he's saying. A-theism simply means lacking a theistic belief. That doesn't mean that we don't ponder what is out there and what could be. Something that many theists may find beneficial from time to time.
Take Brad Pitt or any other agnostic or atheist and hang them by their finger tips over a cliff on the Grand Canyon. As they slowly lose their grip and realize they're about to fall several hundred feet to their deaths, you can be sure that there will be a lot of, "Oh, Gods," and, "Oh, Jesus, please help me" before they fall screaming into the abyss.
I doubt that a single one of them will simply say, "Oh, well, I guess this is it."
No wonder 'Troy' was such a godawful movie. Homer, Achilles Odysseus and all the Greeks and Trojans were God fearing men. When I saw that worst of movies I knew Homer and the heroes of the Iliad would have despised it. Pitt didn't have the soul to play godlike Achilles.
Dear Webmeister,
Could you put a comma between Achilles and Odysseus?
You know, if we really rejected the celebrity culture, we wouldn't care what they believe, and we wouldn't be making fun of them in such detail. We could actually show care and compassion fro the people around us instead of mocking celebrities for making personal decisions about religion. Let's do something worthwhile.
malcolm muggeridge was the darling of the left, a tree hugging communist loving agnostic until he converted to catholicism in 1969 at ago 70.
give brad time.
Check out the big brain on Brad! JK
Why the downvote for Ray Ingles? The men and women who fight on your behalf deserve respect, even if you don't agree with them. God is not a political bludgeon.
Besides, not everyone who cries "Lord Lord" is saved.
Cool, Ben. You sound like a thoughtful guy. As a theist, that is, a believer in the holy Triune, I mostly ponder the perfection of God's salvation worked through Jesus Christ and the depth of his love.
As for Mr. Pitt… I suspect you could walk through the waters of his mind and not get your feet wet.
Okay, that's a bit harsh. But it is funny. Actually, I like a lot of Pitt's work. Methinks when he's not reading a script, he should mostly keep his yap shut. At least when he's in public.
having served with all sorts of beliefs the one constant was the non-beievers were quite happy to be around men of faith when the proverbial stuff hit the fan- in the SpecOps community you find aninordinate amount of Objectivists- Ayn Rand devotees- who are not religious whatsoever.
They were on the same philosophical plane of allowing free men to believe… a wonderfully liberating concept.
This guy is one harrowing, pants crapping, near miss, loss of cabin pressure, private jet ride from "finding spirituality"…these phonies think to themselves constantly; "image, I must, I m u s t maintain the image" before the utter a single word in public. Now, as to whom he is trying NOT to offend with this "there is no God", crap…well that's the $6.40 question in his empty, pretty boy, head…
If he hasn't seen God through the mracle of his children's births, I doubt he ever "sees". Just counting those ten perfect fingers and toes is a religious experience.
Just remember, atheism is a position of faith just as much as theism. Both sides have questions that are inherently unanswerable at this time, it's just a matter of which system you think will take you to truth.
I'm a theist (Catholic, to be exact), not because of Pascal's wager or because I'm afraid of going to Hell, I've done research and plenty of thinking and I'm more convinced there is a God than not. Some people do the same thing, and come to the opposite conclusion. Does that make them any more right or wrong? Time will tell.
I mean, Charles Darwin was a prominent member of the Church of England until his daughter died (causing his loss of faith) and one of Madalyn Murray O'Hair's (American Atheists founder) sons converted to Christianity in his 20s, so one's religious views could change drastically over time.
Even if my hypotheses about God and Heaven do turn out to be correct, I refuse to adopt an "I told you so" attitude because to use one's faith as a trump card belies why you have it in the first place.
No, that's not what you said.
You said, "If anything, it's more impressive if somebody is charitable on their own accord than if they're just trying to please their Higher Power. I have nothing against belief in God on principle but this holier-than-thou attitude is most perplexing."
So, doing good things as a result of one's love for God is less valuable than doing it for another reason? How is it "holier than thou" to act out of love for God?
Please explain how people are doing charity work "out of their own accord" is somehow more altruistic than a religious motivation?
What is "of their own accord"? Liking the attention? Feeling superior? Feeling guilty?
I just feel so sorry for his parents. His current view on religion was not instilled/taught by his loving parents. His mothers heart has to be breaking and yet I'm sure she prays for her son/family daily.
Who cares what this airhead thinks? Really, what has this egotistical turd done? Flush him, along with the rest of the Hollywood garbage, down the toilet. They are all phoney and soulless.
That's not to say that Atheists do not do great good or produce great works of art, only that their lack of a theistic belief doesn't produce those great works of art or great good.
They simply draw on other inspiration.
To all you Trolls out -there who are knocking down my points.LoL. Every knock from You is a Boost for Me. So Knock yourselves out.
So… a fabulously successful (and talented) man who's also adopted two (three?) third-world orphans and gives-to/lobbies-on-behalf-of charity apparently DOESN'T put much stock in religion; thus serving as a bit of a walking-refutation to the pleasant mythology that goodness MUST inseperably follow belief.
Gee… I wonder what's got everybody's dander so up?
Well, then I guess I don't even know if I qualify as agnostic. B/c I've had my "spiritual experiences" that lead me to believe that there is a darn good chance that there is a God. I'm just not sure what his/her (does God really have a gender?) agenda is. But I agree that many agnostics still haven't had that moment, but like you said, that moment can mean anything, kind of like it did for me – Christianity and Jesus can still give me some meaning b/c I was brought up with it, I just don't necessarily think all the bells and whistles are that important and are more man-made.
I just don't think that any one legit religion has the corner on the Truth. I think they all kind of hit upon it, but then get lost in the ritual a bit – instead of worrying whether or not the Bible is the literal Word of God, or whether you have to have 7 Sacraments and priest to hear your confession, and all that other stuff, we should be worried about being good people, and good people come from every walk of life and every religion.
DevilDog to the rescue…
We still find it amazing how something spelled out so clearly can be so misinterpreted. As you are no doubt aware the military is populated with highly principled folk- someone who will put their life on the line for others not quite as devoted. Never did we see any disrespect towards out atheistic bretheren.
We just didn't see very many, that's all…
as Aniston, his ex-wife, said – this guy has no soul/empathy and looks likes he enjoys being jolie's boy.
You managed to say a stupid thing in every phrase. And no, "the Europeans" are not fascinated with "Americans". Not with "Americans" like yourself, anyway.
Would you care to open a dictionary to look for the meaning of "agnostic"? Speaking of ignoramus…
How can somebody without a "soul/empathy" adopt orphans? Do you even know what empathy means?
Stunned by some of the comments here. The spiritual walk is a personal one and doesn't have a time table. Sad to see so many that have been blessed with the gifts of grace and redemption willing to mock someone yet to receive it. The fact is that he is doing and has done some amazingly charitable things. The argument about the stimulus request is petty. If you had a charity and could get more funding for it to be able to do more, wouldn't you try? His works alone won't save him, but he's being far more fruitful with his time than the prodigal son was and he was welcomed back into the fold. Why don't we try granting others the same grace we've been granted and let God handle the rest.
Regarding Pitt's so-called "good works"……when he sounds the trumpet for his applause, he has already received his reward. In other words, annonymously assisting the needy will be recognized as doing the Lord's work and noticed by the only One who matters. In Pitt's pathetic world, he seems to be the only one who really matters to him.
I bet when Angelina puts on her man stick he cries out to something.
Sir Isaac Newton believed in God. He devoted more of his life studying Daniel and Revelation than he did to math, science & alchemy. And his study of science was his life's effort to proselytize the awesome wonders of our Creator. Some atheists think they are smarter than anyone who believes in a "myth". Some look down their noses at people with faith and call them morons and fools.
So, was Isaac Newton a moron and a fool? And which name calling atheist would like to compare his intellect and scientific achievement with Sir Isaac Newton's?
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God"
Its easy to see that Brad Pitt had never really had to rely on anyone for anthing. Rich people have "everything" and when you have "everything" then its really hard for them to see that they really need something.
Believing in God is putting your trust in Him and relying on Him. Its very easy to say you dont belive in something when you have never really felt that desparation on needing to rely on someone greater that yourself, especially when you are rich and can buy anything you want.
I will pray that Brad Pitt finds himself in that desparate state and realizes what a Great deliverance God can be for him.
I like Brad Pitt the actor fine- I think he has a decent heart and does alot more for disadvantaged than most of hollywood. His atheism, I believe, is a result of buying into a Hollywood lifestyle, where consequences and mortality are few and far between. It is nearly impossible to be a big star in Hollywood and have any regard for a higher power- it is simply incompatible with the Hollywood lifestyle. Plus, we've seen how Hollywood treats the religious (Mel Gibson) and conversatives in Hollywood (Gary Sinise, Jon Voight, Roger Simon).
Who cares if he's an athiest? It's his own business and he keeps it to himself (unless he's asked about it). It's not like he's one of those Christian-hating douchebags like Bill Maher who belittles anyone who believes in a power higher than Bill Maher.
I don't like Pitt myself, but there are better reasons than his lack of religious faith to dislike him. Such as the fact that he's a dimwitted Socialist douchebag.
The comment is sure to cause a few ripples from the man who once played the son of a preacher man in the spiritual A River Runs Through It.
Also: the guy who played Darth Vader was not really from outer space.
Take care when slinging insults as you come off as a bigger idiot that most.
Why do you people have such a difficult time believing that others have no belief in a deity? Does it somehow lessen your faith when others don't believe what you believe?
From where does a "non-spiritual-20% atheist-80% agnostic" get morals? Morality is not an abstract concept. It has..strike that…it REQUIRES foundation…God.
It always makes me laugh when I hear someone (usually some entertainer) say they are not religious but they have morals. Morality is not perk you get when you join SAG.
I don't believe there is anything within my comment to even remotely suggest that I have a "difiicult time" with those who don't believe, or that my faith is lessoned by those who don't believe. True faith in God is not altered by some group that, sadly for them, has no spiritual life. I find it amusing and revealing that you jump to assumptions such as these. Modus operandi..attack what you fear or don't understand with comments based on silly assumptions. Also, if any group has major issues about people of faith, it would be the atheists. They continue to try and remove any trace of God from our schools, government, money, monuments. What are they so afraid of? Maybe that faith will rub off on them somehow? Gasp!
But isn't 'spread the wealth' akin to 'spread the doubt'?
"All reasoned objections to belief in God ultimately depend on unargued God-like assumptions to which the objector must appeal for the same universal and ultimate authority over one's thinking that it was the purpose of the objections to challenge in the idea of God."
–from the blog roger random, by machinephilosophy
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