Episode 88 -PROF SAROJINI NADAR (UWC) ENGAGES MY CLAIM THAT THE CHRISTIAN GOD DOES NOT EXIST

Professor Sarojini Nadar (University of Western Cape)
responded(https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/opinion-and-analysis/2022-04-16-god-grief-and-good-friday-a-response-to-eusebius-mckaiser/?fbclid=IwAR0SioBDrOuKohEuxvKf2-i51Uvrtz2ow9V8X43wWBwzCero5zZ-1P8p3iI
) to an article in which I had argued that the God I was taught
about in Catholiism does not exist (
https://www.timeslive.co.za/ideas/2022-04-15-eusebius-mckaiser-i-was-taught-god-exists-that-is-a-lie-heres-why/
). I argued 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 my 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 In The Ring, Nadar expands on the conversation
that had begun on TimesLIVE. She started off by sharing her
personal journey from a Pentecostal upbringing to her discovery
of black, femnist and queer works which engage her faith.
Thereafter, I challenged Nadar on whether the very idea of a
transcendental being is necessary in order for one to be
committed to black radical thought, feminism and justice. We also
discussed the strategic importance of engaging and working with
religious communities in order to achieve social justice in
society, regardless of what one thinks about the metaphysical
claims of those who believe in a supernatural being.  





We also reflected on religion and humour, and whether it is ever
wrong to have playful discussion about religious beliefs. We
ended the episode by debating whether or not it is important for
religious beliefs to be true or whether religious beliefs and
practices can be defended wholly instrumentally by appealing to
the (potential) benefits for individuals and society.