Nadia Abdelrhman is a Stranger reader who vowed to do everything The Stranger suggests for the entire month of March. Her reports appear daily on Slog and Line Out. —Eds.
My second-to-last night of Suggests was a Q&A with Paul Verhoeven about his new book Jesus of Nazareth at Elliott Bay—on the final night at the bookstore’s historic Pioneer Square location. Jesus of Nazareth is the product of Verhoeven’s 20-year association with the Jesus Seminar, a gathering of theologians who investigate the historical veracity of Jesus Christ.
The opening scene from Verhoeven’s potential film about Jesus was discussed, in which Mary is raped by a Roman soldier. Verhoeven later described Jesus as a talented genius, akin to an Einstein or Mozart, but not the son of God. Finally, when asked what his religion is, he said science. It was wonderfully refreshing to listen to the intelligent dialogue. Suggests approved.
there was enough hot air in that room to float the kingdome.
I know it’s likely just a fun turn of phrase in this case, but whenever anyone says something to the effect of “science is my religion” it gives me the strong suspicion that they really don’t understand what science is about at all. How can you have a religion without any dogma, where every single “point of faith” is always open to re-evaluation in the light of new evidence? I admit people can try and live their lives in a scientific way, but calling science a religion just confuses things. Like calling the Higgs boson “the God particle” and so forth.
wait, is this the starship troopers guy??
Hot tip: on GMA this morning, they were to discuss whether Randy Travis is Jesus.
Knowing Verhoeven, this rape scene would feature a full-frontal shot of the BVM.
Was Schmader there?