On air at 17&18 GMT: Stephen Hawking - "Heaven is a fairy story"
|
Tuesday, 5 May 2011
|18:00 - 19:00 GMT
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Stephen Hawking has said that there is no heaven. He said it is "a fairy story for people afraid of the dark"
His comments are being blogged about and tweeted all over the world.
Elizzie in Ohio tweets
Stephen Hawking, you couldn't be more wrong. It's because heaven IS real that we do NOT fear death.
Writing in the Huffington Post, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield disagrees with Stephen Hawking
"Whether he is correct or not is not something anyone can know for sure. We can believe as we choose, but we cannot "know" as a matter of fact, either way."
This article in Live Science argues that his comments don't matter. It's because of what a belief in heaven offers that people are inclined to it.
Daniel Kruger, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Michigan said:
"The idea of an afterlife offers some hope in a world where, historically, life has been pretty harsh. Thoughts of heaven may also stave off fears of death."
But some people agree with his argument.
Melissa posts on Facebook
Mr. Hawking is right. Heaven is a fairy tale and god is a mythological creature. Our world would be so much better without religion.
De la Chris posts on Facebook
I feel quite strongly that god and heaven are not real. I don't care if others believe differently. It's unfortunate, but atheism is still seen as such an awful thing. It shouldn't be. It's okay not to believe in god.
This blogger says
There is life after death "for those who are remembered for their good deeds, they maintain a wonderful life after death but only in the minds of those who knew them."
What do you think? Do you agree or is this an unnecessary attack on religion? Is a belief in heaven ok if it offers comfort?
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
18:57
113631290
<p>
Victor in South Africa: E.N.D.. Energy never dies.. Thats why reencarnation is the only thng that makes sense,you cant destroy energy but it can be altered into other forms.. Heaven cant exist.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:56
113631290
<p>
Lisa in Indiana emails: As an atheist, I'm appalled at the condescension some non believers show to believers. Faith is a private decision to be respected.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
18:56
113631290
<p>
Lombe in Zambia: HEAVEN IS REAL you first have to believe in God,not gods but God to believe there is a Heaven,if u don't then yes i don't expect you to say you believe in Heaven. .</p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23057
18:56
113822651
@大象传媒_WHYS What I hear from those kids is not education, it's brain-washing.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:54
113631290
<p>
Bareesh in Bangladesh: Nobody can really be sure of the existence of Heaven or Hell. At the end of the day, it all comes down to belief. Some people will believe and some won't. He has expressed his point of view. I don't particularly think any believers will care what he thinks. </p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23057
18:50
117858468
@大象传媒_WHYS I don't believe in heaven. But I know that hell is a place with lots of paperwork.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:53
113631290
<p>
Daithí in India: Arguing whether there is heaven or not is akin to arguing as to whether God exists. It's a very personal issue. To some there is and to others there isn't. For me there isn't. I agree with Hawkings.</p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23129
18:50
113631290
<p>
Carmelovalone tweets: Stephen Hawking: "Heaven is "a fairy story" for people who fear death" Me: I totally agree.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:48
113631290
<p>
John in Cleveland emails: How does he explain the energy within us that we call our soul? Where does that go scientifically when it sheds it's flesh? Souls, energy, however you wish to phrase it, exists.</p>
Comment sent via SMS
18:45
117858414
Thank you for bringing up this "hot" topic. In all respect of Prof Hawkins great knowledge and understanding, he is missing that there exist so many proofs...
Comment sent via unknown: 23129
18:45
113631290
<p>
Ray in Colorado emails: Always be sceptical when any scientist makes a definitive statement like Dr. Steven Hawking's even though he is brilliant. Two hundred years ago we were burning witches at the stake.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:45
113631290
<p>
Benjamin in Michigan emails: Heaven and hell is just like all religion: it is intensely personal. You believe what you have to so that you can wake up and face another day.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:44
113631290
<p>
Larry in New York emails: John Lennon was 1/2 right. You don't have to Imagine there is no Heaven, 'cause there ain't any. Of course, I think there is Hell. Being in jail in Haiti, being a soldier in anybody's war, or being in a nursing home are all forms of Hell.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
18:37
113631290
<p>
Linda in Maryland emails: There has to be some statute of limitations on apologies. If you asked americans in the early 1800s they would not think highly of Britain now though there us no animosity You cannot blame subsequent generations for the sins of their forefathers</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:36
113631290
<p>
Matt from Canada but in Spain emails: I always found it amusing when I argue for Canada to be a republic that my mother makes the argument for the Queen because it makes us different from Americans. I find it especially amusing because she is of Italian-Hungarian descent and I'm the one that's half British! I now live in Spain that has it's own royal family and it doesn't make me any more excited about the British one.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:35
113631290
<p>
Javid in Pakistan emails: Its great that her Majesty visited Ireland, however, we sincerely wish that her Majesty consider visiting Pakistan too, since in these difficult times people should feel that they are part of the Commonwealth.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
18:30
113631290
<p>
Meredith in Oregon, USA, posted on Facebook: The Irish people are wonderful and so are the Brits. It seems only natural that the Queen would want to visit her lovely EU neighbour to the west</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:27
113631290
<p>
David from Belfast but in Germany emails: The fact that the head of state of the United Kingdom has laid a wreath at this historic site should far outshine the fact that protesters felt the need to demonstrate that the old wounds are still being scratched in the hope that the scars will bleed.</p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23129
18:27
113631290
<p>
Ian in Plymouth in the UK emails: A powerful message has been sent to the Diaspora of Ireland; a message of reconciliation and of unity. We watch the progress of the Royal party with interest and pride.</p>
Comment sent via SMS
18:27
116259994
Not only should the British state apologise for its colonial past, it should end its neo-colonial adventures in the Afghanistan and elsewhere. Tom Wills, UK.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:24
113631290
<p>
Tenpa in Nepal: The best thing that a monarchy could do now a days, is what the Queen did today: bring people closer, making peace. It is a step forward in terms of relationship between two nations, time to move on.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
18:21
113631290
<p>
Ali in Tanzania emails: Why should lreland spend a lot of money on the Queen's tour, will her tour bring any thing good?</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:18
113631290
<p>
Matthew tweets: Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Queen went to Ireland...folks there don't seem too happy.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
18:17
113631290
<p>
Dooshweena in Mauritius: It's a historic visit! She should naturally be welcomed!</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:15
113631290
<p>
Jarda in Belgium emails: I'd love if someone could explain me what is the queen doing in Ireland except shaking hands, watching flags and signing visitor's books.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
18:03
113631290
<p>
Laura posted on The Telegraph online: Ireland is a messy situation which we have to make the best of, but why the Queen had to visit, I don't know. She should steer clear of dangerous political situations which she may not have any real understanding of.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:02
113631290
<p>
WendyCMurphy posted on Twitter: Welcome to Ireland Queen, ignore the bomb scares, the majority of us love you!</p>
Comment sent via host
17:40
113631290
We''re talking about the Queen''s visit to Ireland. Should she be welcomed or not? And we''ll also be discussing Stephen Hawking''s comments that heaven does not exist. You can post any comments you want to share here.
On air at 17&18 GMT: Stephen Hawking - "Heaven is a fairy story"
| Tuesday, 5 May 2011 | 18:00 - 19:00 GMT
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Stephen Hawking has said that there is no heaven. He said it is "a fairy story for people afraid of the dark"
His comments are being blogged about and tweeted all over the world.
Elizzie in Ohio tweets
Stephen Hawking, you couldn't be more wrong. It's because heaven IS real that we do NOT fear death.
Writing in the Huffington Post, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield disagrees with Stephen Hawking
"Whether he is correct or not is not something anyone can know for sure. We can believe as we choose, but we cannot "know" as a matter of fact, either way."
This article in Live Science argues that his comments don't matter. It's because of what a belief in heaven offers that people are inclined to it.
Daniel Kruger, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Michigan said:
"The idea of an afterlife offers some hope in a world where, historically, life has been pretty harsh. Thoughts of heaven may also stave off fears of death."
But some people agree with his argument.
Melissa posts on Facebook
Mr. Hawking is right. Heaven is a fairy tale and god is a mythological creature. Our world would be so much better without religion.
De la Chris posts on Facebook
I feel quite strongly that god and heaven are not real. I don't care if others believe differently. It's unfortunate, but atheism is still seen as such an awful thing. It shouldn't be. It's okay not to believe in god.
This blogger says
There is life after death "for those who are remembered for their good deeds, they maintain a wonderful life after death but only in the minds of those who knew them."
What do you think? Do you agree or is this an unnecessary attack on religion? Is a belief in heaven ok if it offers comfort?
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Victor in South Africa: E.N.D.. Energy never dies.. Thats why reencarnation is the only thng that makes sense,you cant destroy energy but it can be altered into other forms.. Heaven cant exist.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Lisa in Indiana emails: As an atheist, I'm appalled at the condescension some non believers show to believers. Faith is a private decision to be respected.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Lombe in Zambia: HEAVEN IS REAL you first have to believe in God,not gods but God to believe there is a Heaven,if u don't then yes i don't expect you to say you believe in Heaven. .</p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23057
@大象传媒_WHYS What I hear from those kids is not education, it's brain-washing.
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Bareesh in Bangladesh: Nobody can really be sure of the existence of Heaven or Hell. At the end of the day, it all comes down to belief. Some people will believe and some won't. He has expressed his point of view. I don't particularly think any believers will care what he thinks. </p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23057
@大象传媒_WHYS I don't believe in heaven. But I know that hell is a place with lots of paperwork.
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Daithí in India: Arguing whether there is heaven or not is akin to arguing as to whether God exists. It's a very personal issue. To some there is and to others there isn't. For me there isn't. I agree with Hawkings.</p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23129
<p> Carmelovalone tweets: Stephen Hawking: "Heaven is "a fairy story" for people who fear death" Me: I totally agree.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> John in Cleveland emails: How does he explain the energy within us that we call our soul? Where does that go scientifically when it sheds it's flesh? Souls, energy, however you wish to phrase it, exists.</p>
Comment sent via SMS
Thank you for bringing up this "hot" topic. In all respect of Prof Hawkins great knowledge and understanding, he is missing that there exist so many proofs...
Comment sent via unknown: 23129
<p> Ray in Colorado emails: Always be sceptical when any scientist makes a definitive statement like Dr. Steven Hawking's even though he is brilliant. Two hundred years ago we were burning witches at the stake.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Benjamin in Michigan emails: Heaven and hell is just like all religion: it is intensely personal. You believe what you have to so that you can wake up and face another day.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Larry in New York emails: John Lennon was 1/2 right. You don't have to Imagine there is no Heaven, 'cause there ain't any. Of course, I think there is Hell. Being in jail in Haiti, being a soldier in anybody's war, or being in a nursing home are all forms of Hell.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
<p> Linda in Maryland emails: There has to be some statute of limitations on apologies. If you asked americans in the early 1800s they would not think highly of Britain now though there us no animosity You cannot blame subsequent generations for the sins of their forefathers</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Matt from Canada but in Spain emails: I always found it amusing when I argue for Canada to be a republic that my mother makes the argument for the Queen because it makes us different from Americans. I find it especially amusing because she is of Italian-Hungarian descent and I'm the one that's half British! I now live in Spain that has it's own royal family and it doesn't make me any more excited about the British one.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Javid in Pakistan emails: Its great that her Majesty visited Ireland, however, we sincerely wish that her Majesty consider visiting Pakistan too, since in these difficult times people should feel that they are part of the Commonwealth.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Meredith in Oregon, USA, posted on Facebook: The Irish people are wonderful and so are the Brits. It seems only natural that the Queen would want to visit her lovely EU neighbour to the west</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> David from Belfast but in Germany emails: The fact that the head of state of the United Kingdom has laid a wreath at this historic site should far outshine the fact that protesters felt the need to demonstrate that the old wounds are still being scratched in the hope that the scars will bleed.</p>
Comment sent via unknown: 23129
<p> Ian in Plymouth in the UK emails: A powerful message has been sent to the Diaspora of Ireland; a message of reconciliation and of unity. We watch the progress of the Royal party with interest and pride.</p>
Comment sent via SMS
Not only should the British state apologise for its colonial past, it should end its neo-colonial adventures in the Afghanistan and elsewhere. Tom Wills, UK.
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Tenpa in Nepal: The best thing that a monarchy could do now a days, is what the Queen did today: bring people closer, making peace. It is a step forward in terms of relationship between two nations, time to move on.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
<p> Ali in Tanzania emails: Why should lreland spend a lot of money on the Queen's tour, will her tour bring any thing good?</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Matthew tweets: Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Queen went to Ireland...folks there don't seem too happy.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Dooshweena in Mauritius: It's a historic visit! She should naturally be welcomed!</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> Jarda in Belgium emails: I'd love if someone could explain me what is the queen doing in Ireland except shaking hands, watching flags and signing visitor's books.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
<p> Laura posted on The Telegraph online: Ireland is a messy situation which we have to make the best of, but why the Queen had to visit, I don't know. She should steer clear of dangerous political situations which she may not have any real understanding of.</p>
Comment sent via YOURSAY
<p> WendyCMurphy posted on Twitter: Welcome to Ireland Queen, ignore the bomb scares, the majority of us love you!</p>
Comment sent via host
We''re talking about the Queen''s visit to Ireland. Should she be welcomed or not? And we''ll also be discussing Stephen Hawking''s comments that heaven does not exist. You can post any comments you want to share here.