Thought Experiments : The Blog

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Great Sex and Burning?

It's troubling - so many things are - that the first atheist 'thought' on Radio 4 is to be delivered by the woman who created the Atheist Bus Campaign - which was, of course, the Agnostic Bus Campaign. It is still more troubling that she is photographed sprawled on the grass with a bare midriff and a 'take me now' look. This can only lead to an arms race. The Chief Rabbi will be photographed on a sofa in a pair of fetching silk boxers. And my pal Rowan - well, you get the picture(s). I suppose the pose of Ariane Sherine is intended to indicate that becoming an atheist means you have loads of great sex. This may well be true, though it doesn't really seem much compensation for burning for all eternity in the fires of Hell.

# posted by Bryan Appleyard : 8:57 AM  

27 Comments:

  • At January 10, 2009 10:51 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Thanks Bryan - gorgeous picture. I shall definitely become a convert to agnosticism. I don't suppose you have contact details as well as the pic??

     

  • At January 10, 2009 12:35 PM, Blogger Brit said…

    I expect to see that pic appearing in the Lumber Room as evidence for the existence of the Divine.

    And shouldn't that headline be "Great sex or not burning?"...not important of course.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 2:09 PM, Anonymous passer by said…

    "burning for all eternity in the fires of hell" ?

    Sounds like a job for the councils environmental services dept. Are they offsetting? or have they got some sort of capture technology?

     

  • At January 10, 2009 2:16 PM, Blogger Robert Iddiols said…

    On this evidence I'm definitely turning to atheism.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 2:23 PM, Anonymous Nick Cohen said…

    I'm sorry to sound like her dad, but won't she catch her death of cold posing on the frost-hardened grass with a bare mid-riff? We athiests need to hang on to our babes for as long as we can.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 3:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    "a 'take me now' look."?!

    That's simply your interpretation: You're the one whose thoughts seem to be dominated by sex; Ariane never mentioned it - so I think that this says more about you than about her or her campaign.

    And, incidentally, if you read the bible properly, nowhere does it say anything about "burning for all eternity in the fires of Hell." - That seems to be an invention by the Church to try and frighten people into compliance and submission.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 3:26 PM, Blogger Bryan Appleyard said…

    Good Lord, Anon, you're right I take it all back and I promise I shall never try to be funny again.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 4:02 PM, Blogger James Higham said…

    Having great sex leads to hell? Quick, all of you - tell your wives.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 4:42 PM, Blogger malty said…

    Define, in no more than 500 words, great sex.
    Grate sex leaves ashen botties.
    Great sex leaves ashen faces.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 5:25 PM, Blogger ian russell said…

    far too young! I suspect a theist conspiracy plot!

     

  • At January 10, 2009 5:33 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Brian Appleyard: Good Lord, Anon, you're right I take it all back and I promise I shall never try to be funny again.

    Good. Then you might succeed.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 6:07 PM, Blogger ian russell said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 6:13 PM, Blogger ian russell said…

    Poor old Damazer - a man who's less with it than his hairstyle.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 7:36 PM, Anonymous The Johann Hari Institute said…

    Who the hell do you think you are? The fact that atheists have fewer beliefs (less hang-ups) means they're far more capable of enjoying sex to its fullest.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 10:21 PM, OpenID elberry said…

    Done.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 10:23 PM, Anonymous Paddy said…

    I heard her on the radio this evening and thought she was a lightwiehgt. But now I've seen the picture, I'm keen to met her and discuss it in greater depth.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 11:06 PM, Blogger rainywalker said…

    Love those "Take me now," eyes.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 11:13 PM, Blogger Mark said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 11:17 PM, Blogger Mark said…

    Let's not forget that JC himself had a thing for babes. So Ariane's choice of pose is utterly and becomingly traditional, gorgeous as it is. I wonder when, in the West, folks got the idea that being spiritual is all about being cerebral. Maybe that's why the sky pilots on Thought for the Day are often so dull. It's not really a club many of us would be keen to join, so kudos to Ariane for doing her bit to keep Thought for the Day alive for a few more months.

     

  • At January 10, 2009 11:53 PM, Blogger Duck said…

    I'd like to believe that atheism leads to great sex, bot I'm afraid that there is something to be said for the idea that sex is dirty. Once we've all been convinced that sex is a perfectly healthy and guiltless activity, it will be as exciting as eating organic broccoli.

    Luckily I stored up enough Catholic guilt in my youth to last for a lifetime.

     

  • At January 11, 2009 12:27 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I think you may be right, Duck. In that exact same vein i often wish anal sex was still illegal...

     

  • At January 11, 2009 11:20 AM, Anonymous snakepit said…

    Don't put 'vein' and 'anal sex' in the same sentence, please.

     

  • At January 11, 2009 1:27 PM, Blogger Peter Burnet said…

    The fact that atheists have fewer beliefs (less hang-ups) means they're far more capable of enjoying sex to its fullest.

    I once tried to enjoy sex to the fullest but it was so damn exhausting I started going to church for a rest.

     

  • At January 11, 2009 2:51 PM, Blogger Rus Bowden said…

    But don't we burn in hell for the great sex we've had anyway? Or maybe this wisdom dawns as one moves through middle age, or two divorces.

    "Now stop worrying and enjoy life." I knew I heard that somewhere before: Bobby Mcferrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

    Yours,
    Rus

     

  • At January 13, 2009 2:15 PM, Anonymous Gablodian said…

    burning for all eternity in the fires of Hell

    Do you believe that? It's obscene; worse, it makes God out to be a cruel and sadistic tyrant!

     

  • At January 21, 2009 6:08 PM, Blogger Raaj said…

    Green tea helps burn fat. Honest! Four or five cups a day could mean you'll be half a stone lighter in about 10 months, due to the boosting effect green tea has on fat burning.
    ------------
    Raaj
    Adult Dating

     

  • At October 10, 2009 7:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Religion is for the weak so get down on your knees and pray for forgiveness for all that you have done wrong and yet judged others for doing the same.

     

Post a Comment

Links to this post:

Create a Link