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Maeve Binchy on God (video)

  • 02-08-2012 12:29pm
    #1
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭


    I can't say I paid much attention to or took much of an interest in the writer during her life, but I've been lapping up as much as I can since hearing about her death a few days ago. Since her death there have been great interviews played, stories recounted by friends, and tributes paid, and she comes across as such a lovely, kind and generous person.

    Anyway, I just stumbled upon this interview she gave Gay Byrne on his 'Meaning of Life' show. I was shocked to hear it, but it turns out she was an unequivocal, unrepentant atheist! :eek:

    See the video here:
    http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=10039611

    I found it particularly interesting listening to her describing how she told her father about it, and how he reacted, etc. Sounds like such a wonderfully warm home to grow up in, and her parents sound like incredibly understanding people.

    What a lovely woman she was

    edit

    They even talk about Dawkins at the end, and she endorses his worldview unambiguously! :eek:

    Mind. Blown.


Comments

  • #2
    Fortyniner
    Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭Fortyniner


    Among the obituaries in the Indy:

    http://www.announcement.ie/18457229

    'May You Have Found Jesus

    I was so sorry to hear of the death of Maeve. In an interview she gave she said that she had lost her faith in Christianity at the age of 23. The made me very sad indeed. To have lived such a wonderful life and not to have know Jesus must have had some lack. But now I'm sure she is reunited with Jesus her savour and her loved ones.'

    and

    'R.I.P Maeve

    I was saddened to hear the news of the untimely death of the lovely Maeve Binchy. she was an amazing person,Wife, Author, Friend,Sister and aunt. rest assured she has already begun a novel about the beauty of heaven, Just a pity we wont be reading it anytime soon. RIP to the wonderful Maeve'

    People just can't believe that we really are happy atheists, and I don't think the rules allow atheists into their heaven.


  • #3
    jcf
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭jcf


    Fortyniner wrote: »
    Among the obituaries in the Indy:

    http://www.announcement.ie/18457229

    'May You Have Found Jesus

    I was so sorry to hear of the death of Maeve. In an interview she gave she said that she had lost her faith in Christianity at the age of 23. The made me very sad indeed. To have lived such a wonderful life and not to have know Jesus must have had some lack. But now I'm sure she is reunited with Jesus her savour and her loved ones.'

    and

    'R.I.P Maeve

    I was saddened to hear the news of the untimely death of the lovely Maeve Binchy. she was an amazing person,Wife, Author, Friend,Sister and aunt. rest assured she has already begun a novel about the beauty of heaven, Just a pity we wont be reading it anytime soon. RIP to the wonderful Maeve'

    People just can't believe that we really are happy atheists, and I don't think the rules allow atheists into their heaven.

    Absolutely, pretty patronizing from the Indo to publish that condescending CRAP ...



    what a deluded MORON - "The made me very sad indeed. To have lived such a wonderful life and not to have know Jesus must have had some lack"

    Idiot, That poor person hasn't found Zeus either, Gee!! how they are missing out !!!


  • #4
    lazygal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,644 ✭✭✭✭lazygal


    Didn't she have a church funeral? :roll eyes:

    I've told my parents/extended family if they have a church funeral for me, I will come back and haunt the hell out of their asses.

    Thanks for posting the video, if atheism is good enough for Maeve, who always struck me as a rock of sense, its good enough for me.


  • #5
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    lazygal wrote: »
    Didn't she have a church funeral? :roll eyes:

    I've told my parents/extended family if they have a church funeral for me, I will come back and haunt the hell out of their asses.

    Thanks for posting the video, if atheism is good enough for Maeve, who always struck me as a rock of sense, its good enough for me.

    Rock of sense? Evidently she had no sense when it came to her health. However you have to respect her literary prowess.


  • #6
    Enkidu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭Enkidu


    She's a lovely speaker. Very mature approach to things I must say.


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  • #7
    Gregor Samsa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,087 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    CerebralCortex wrote: »
    Rock of sense? Evidently she had no sense when it came to her health.

    Huh? She was 72. There's plenty of ostensibly healthy people that die before that. Sure, if she was healthier, maybe she would have live longer, but I'm not sure why you're making a point of that.

    Would it not be legitimate for many contributors to this board to describe Christopher Hitchens as a "rock of sense" regarding at least certain matters? He died aged 62 from Esophageal cancer - which his heavy drinking and smoking no doubt contributed to. I don't think describing someone as a "rock of sense" is an absolutist term that means that they are infallible.

    If it's her weight you're referring to, in a documentary aired the other night she said that she had a heart condition that required exercise, but that arthritis in her back left her unable to do so. Bit of an unfortunate situation to be in.

    I assume lazygal's use of the term was referring to her published opinions. Which I admit I'm not familiar with, so I can't comment either way on the veracity of the statement. But I don't see how they would be diminished in any way by her state of health.


  • #8
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    My mouth moves quicker than my brain. I really don't know much about Maeve Binchy to be honest, I just saw that she was overweight which isn't a wise state to be in.


  • #9
    sponsoredwalk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,038 ✭✭✭sponsoredwalk


    CerebralCortex wrote: »
    My mouth moves quicker than my brain. I really don't know much about Maeve Binchy to be honest, I just saw that she was overweight which isn't a wise state to be in.

    Wow...


  • #10
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    sponsoredwalk wrote: »
    Wow...

    Wow?

    Edit: I feel like I should apologise for what I've been saying about poor Maeve Binchy. I think my criticisms are too soon and probably too inappropriate. Sorry to all.


  • #11
    Nodin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 46,938 ✭✭✭✭Nodin


    CerebralCortex wrote: »
    Wow?

    Edit: I feel like I should apologise for what I've been saying about poor Maeve Binchy. I think my criticisms are too soon and probably too inappropriate. Sorry to all.

    She was knackered with arthritis and a dodgy hip. Being limited in mobility means its very hard to keep the pounds off.


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  • #12
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    Point taken, let's move on! :D

    She mentions in this interview that she admitted to being an atheist on the Late Late Show originally, and got hundreds of letters! I don't remember it myself, would love to see the clip if anyone can dig it out...


  • #13
    joseph brand
    Registered Users Posts: 4,537 ✭✭✭joseph brand


    If she lived to 72, had a very happy life and sold as many books as she did (42 million I think), then, as far as I can see she was one of life's winners. She outlived her younger sister.

    It's hard to picture book worms and authors downing raw eggs and doing 15 miles on a treadmill in leotards.

    Coffee and smokes more like. :)


  • #14
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    That's one thing Alan Wake got right, writers can sprint fewer than 10 steps before collapsing.


  • #15
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    joseph brand wrote: »
    If she lived to 72, had a very happy life and sold as many books as she did (42 million I think), then, as far as I can see she was one of life's winners. She outlived her younger sister.

    It's hard to picture book worms and authors downing raw eggs and doing 15 miles on a treadmill in leotards.

    Coffee and smokes more like. :)

    Fairly arbitrary and subjective definition of a winner but I've been known to be contrary when it comes to things like that.


  • #16
    Nodin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 46,938 ✭✭✭✭Nodin


    Sarky wrote: »
    That's one thing Alan Wake got right, writers can sprint fewer than 10 steps before collapsing.


    Yet carry feck all ammunition.....


  • #17
    JuliusCaesar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,882 ✭✭✭JuliusCaesar


    Of course, her brother William Binchy wasn't of the same ilk at all.


  • #18
    Enkidu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭Enkidu


    CerebralCortex wrote: »
    Fairly arbitrary and subjective definition of a winner but I've been known to be contrary when it comes to things like that.
    Well it would be better to say it's debatable rather than arbitrary and subjective. (I mean it does have a basis in judging worth via achievement and happiness, which has arguments for it based on objective facts.)


  • #19
    [-0-]
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,981 ✭✭✭[-0-]


    "This is exactly my philosophy, that you have got to play the hand you are dealt. People waste an awful lot of time wishing they were dealt a different hand. There is no such thing as the cavalry coming to rescue you, or a man on a white horse or anything like that. You're not going to be happier if you are thin, rich, or married, because I know a lot of thin rich married people who are as miserable as hell, so that's not the solution."

    Ah lads. She was lovely, the poor thing. RIP.


  • #20
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    Enkidu wrote: »
    Well it would be better to say it's debatable rather than arbitrary and subjective. (I mean it does have a basis in judging worth via achievement and happiness, which has arguments for it based on objective facts.)

    I don't think so, happiness is a moving target.


  • #21
    enda1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,166 ✭✭✭enda1


    As an atheist, I completely understand her having a church funeral if it was for the sake of easing the pain of her loved ones remaining. Sure it would make no odds to her now that she's dead and is a very selfless gift to make.


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  • #22
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Wedding? :)

    But yeah, I'm the same. If my family (read: my wife) feels that a church funeral would provide her with the most comfort when I die, then she can work away. I'm dead, what do I care? My personal preference is to do a ceremony that the deceased would have enjoyed, but that's the kind of thing that gives me comfort. YMMV.


  • #23
    Enkidu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,005 ✭✭✭Enkidu


    CerebralCortex wrote: »
    I don't think so, happiness is a moving target.
    I agree with you. I'm not saying the argument is correct, just that I don't think it's totally arbitrary and subjective.


  • #24
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    The priest couldn't resist suggesting that she's in heaven despite having not "found God"

    http://www.newstalk.ie//2012/news/hundreds-bid-farewell-to-maeve-binchy-in-dublin/

    I suppose it's a funeral in a Catholic Church, and I think he probably worded it as well as he could


  • #25
    Gregor Samsa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,087 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    Dave! wrote: »
    The priest couldn't resist suggesting that she's in heaven despite having not "found God".

    Well if she is, she probably won't find him there either. :pac:

    In fairness, it's not surprising that the priest said it. Catholic teaching is that you can go to heaven if you've led a good life. Exactly what good is, I'm not completely sure, but it doesn't necessarily have to involve Jesus or God: http://www.catholicplanet.com/RCC/who-goes-to-heaven.htm

    Many other Christian denominations wouldn't agree, and would stress faith in Jesus as being the ticket for entry. But I think the Pope has a guest list or something.


  • #26
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    This bollocks of sending radio journalists along to funerals to tape soundbytes of some priest really pisses me off. It's just tabloid journalism disguised as "public interest". Like when Sky News stand outside someone's house and comment on the media circus while their helicopter flies about overhead.

    It's even worse when they send them to the funerals of people who've died tragically as then we have to listen to the bleatings of clergy doing verbal gymnastics to reconcile the death of some poor mother's kids in a car with God's will.


  • #27
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Fortyniner wrote: »
    Among the obituaries in the Indy:

    http://www.announcement.ie/18457229

    bloody Indo Christians, why do they have to jizz on EVERYTHING?


  • #28
    trishasaffron
    Registered Users Posts: 922 ✭✭✭trishasaffron


    I was at the funeral and there was a bit of double talking - although the priest mentioned that poor Maeve hadn't sadly had the gift of faith (:o) the wording of the standard funeral was full of references to "our sister Maeve now in the hands of the lord" etc etc. So it was almost funny and just the kind of thing that'd have made a great column for Maeve herself in her heyday.

    I wasn't a great fan of the books unless I was dying with a flu but she always impressed me as someone who had a true understanding of making a good and well lived life for herself. Her atheism was a bonus for me especially how she was almost like an undercover agent - so many extremely conservative conventional religious Irish people regarded her as the last word in wisdom and then to find out she didn't go to mass!!! I overheard a few of them tut tutting at the funeral.:D


  • #29
    Nodin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 46,938 ✭✭✭✭Nodin


    Happened to me mates mother. All of us going were expecting a secular thing (it was a cremation) and next thing ye know theres a priest up talking cack. Her sisters apparently wanted it done that way (afaik-can't really ask as its all a bit "too soon").


  • #30
    Solair
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,230 ✭✭✭Solair


    One of the factors that made her such an huge success as a journalist and as a novelist was that she clearly understood humanity and lived life to its fullest.

    She left a huge legacy in the form of rich fiction and ground-breaking journalism.

    Whatever her personal beliefs, she was a literary and journalistic giant and someone Irish people can be proud to be associated with for centuries to come!


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  • #31
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,460 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Dave! wrote: »
    The priest couldn't resist suggesting that she's in heaven despite having not "found God"

    When I heard that on the radio, I got a little bit sick in my mouth.

    Atheists of Ireland, IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF THE F&&KING CLOSET :mad:

    Nothing will ever change if we continue to go along with what is easy, what our families want us to do, what is 'less fuss'.. then we wonder why our kids have to listen to state funded religious tripe in school?

    Scrap the cap!



  • #32
    Solair
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,230 ✭✭✭Solair


    My gran (in her 80s) had an atheist / non-religious funeral. It went down quite well, lots of poetry readings and stuff.

    It was just amusing to hear some of her elderly relatives asking 'so was that an Atheist mass then?'

    Herself and her older brother (in his early 90s) have been out atheists since the 1940s. So, eh, there were always a few :D


  • #33
    im invisible
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,372 ✭✭✭im invisible


    42 million books, that must have been hard not repeating herself,


  • #34
    fitz0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,753 ✭✭✭fitz0


    I read this letter in the Examiner with utter revulsion.
    From a Catholic perspective, it was most gratifying to observe that Maeve Binchy died with the great satisfaction of a Catholic requiem mass.
    Maeve frequently and enthusiastically, not least in her interviews with Gay Byrne, declared her lack of interest in religion, and Catholicism in particular.
    Indeed, perhaps the best known practitioner of a ‘double life’ was the anti-Catholic philosopher, Voltaire.
    While excoriating the Catholic Church in public, in private Voltaire sought the comfort of his pastor, and of the Catholic sacraments, with gusto.
    The good news is that a death-bed conversion is as good as any. So welcome home Maeve, and may you rest in peace.

    Eric Conway
    Navan
    Co Meath

    What a c*nt.


  • #35
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Weird how I had a pretty good idea who wrote that letter before seeing the name at the bottom. To reiterate something I said earlier in tread:
    Galvasean wrote: »
    bloody IndoExaminer Christians, why do they have to jizz on EVERYTHING?


  • #36
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    fitz0 wrote: »
    I read this letter in the Examiner with utter revulsion....

    What an ugly thing to say? People sometimes defy belief. What a **** indeed!!


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  • #37
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    People write scummy sh*t all the time, why on earth would a national newspaper publish it? He's a nasty piece of work anyway


  • #38
    ShooterSF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭ShooterSF


    He seems to only spout such nonsense in national papers because having lived in Navan for 28 years I've never met the guy or anyone who knows him..


  • #39
    therattler
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭therattler


    Thanks for the vid Dave!

    Only recently joined boards.... so happy to come across like minded people. It really helps, especially in this country when you're in the minority.


  • #40
    PopePalpatine
    Registered Users Posts: 11,964 ✭✭✭✭PopePalpatine


    ShooterSF wrote: »
    He seems to only spout such nonsense in national papers because having lived in Navan for 28 years I've never met the guy or anyone who knows him..

    I'm not sure whether or not I'll get a warning for suggesting he has some case of paranoid schizophrenia.


  • #41
    im invisible
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,372 ✭✭✭im invisible


    Oh but shur aren't we all 'delusional'...


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  • #42
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    ShooterSF wrote: »
    He seems to only spout such nonsense in national papers because having lived in Navan for 28 years I've never met the guy or anyone who knows him..


    I do, i used to work with him, he works in an accountancy firm in the town, and he is an absolute mouse when it comes to dealing with people face to face, he is afraid of strong people.

    He is a classic example of "small man syndrome" thank god (he'd love that i said that!) i dont have to interact with him anymore. Writing these letters with the hope of such reactions is the only power he has, sad really. His letters used to make me sick, but i just feel pity for him now


  • #43
    tdawg
    Registered Users Posts: 27 ✭tdawg


    Dave! wrote: »
    I can't say I paid much attention to or took much of an interest in the writer during her life, but I've been lapping up as much as I can since hearing about her death a few days ago. Since her death there have been great interviews played, stories recounted by friends, and tributes paid, and she comes across as such a lovely, kind and generous person.

    Anyway, I just stumbled upon this interview she gave Gay Byrne on his 'Meaning of Life' show. I was shocked to hear it, but it turns out she was an unequivocal, unrepentant atheist! :eek:

    See the video here:
    http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=10039611

    I found it particularly interesting listening to her describing how she told her father about it, and how he reacted, etc. Sounds like such a wonderfully warm home to grow up in, and her parents sound like incredibly understanding people.

    What a lovely woman she was

    edit

    They even talk about Dawkins at the end, and she endorses his worldview unambiguously! :eek:

    Mind. Blown.


    Dare I ask why it matters so much that she was an atheist? I know of quite a few people from older generations (obviously more common and acceptable in younger generations) who would call themselves such, it's not exactly a major revelation.


  • #44
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    I don't see where Dave! has told of where it *mattered* so much. Just how he was surprised to see an elderly Irish female icon was a declared non-believer.


  • #45
    tdawg
    Registered Users Posts: 27 ✭tdawg


    Dades wrote: »
    I don't see where Dave! has told of where it *mattered* so much. Just how he was surprised to see an elderly Irish female icon was a declared non-believer.

    It mattered enough to create a thread about it. My point is that she was a writer and that is what she will be remembered as. Personally when I die I'd rather be remembered for my achievements, not for my belief of whether there is or isn't a god.

    I almost find it disrespectful in the sense that I feel it comes across as if celebrating her for the fact she was a non-believer rather than for her work (I seem to remember a thread a bit-like that re:Steve Jobs). I am writing this as a 'non-believer' myself btw.


  • #46
    robindch
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,420 Mod ✭✭✭✭robindch


    tdawg wrote: »
    My point is that she was a writer and that is what she will be remembered as. Personally when I die I'd rather be remembered for my achievements, not for my belief of whether there is or isn't a god.
    tdawg wrote: »
    It mattered enough to create a thread about it.
    Well, in all fairness, the bar for opening a new thread isn't set all that high hereabouts. Here's a thread from yesterday in which a guy, with a peculiar login and now sadly departed, wondered about pork and blasphemy in Dubai.

    In any case, this forum is for the discussion of and about atheists and agnostics and things that interest them, so it's not unreasonable for this kind of topic to turn up in the first place. And anyhow, I wouldn't have thought that many forum regulars would be all that mad about Maeve Binchy's more mainstream output anyway.


  • #47
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    tdawg wrote: »
    It mattered enough to create a thread about it. My point is that she was a writer and that is what she will be remembered as. Personally when I die I'd rather be remembered for my achievements, not for my belief of whether there is or isn't a god.

    I almost find it disrespectful in the sense that I feel it comes across as if celebrating her for the fact she was a non-believer rather than for her work (I seem to remember a thread a bit-like that re:Steve Jobs). I am writing this as a 'non-believer' myself btw.
    I think you're just looking for offense where none exists tbh. I may not have been familiar with her writing, but if you look in another forum, you'll see a thread I started where I say that Maeve Binchy's death has inspired me to try my hand at creative writing myself. And you'll see my first attempt too.

    I've also posted here and on Facebook, and spoke to various people I know, about what a wonderfully warm and lovely woman she seems to have been, and how highly everyone speaks of her.

    I may not celebrate her for her work, because I'm not familiar with it, but I celebrate her for her character, her philosophy on life, and her warm and loving nature.


  • #48
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,460 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Dave! wrote: »
    I think you're just looking for offense where none exists tbh.

    If so, he/she is by no means alone... It's got to the stage where I just assume any new/low post count poster is a plant :(

    Scrap the cap!



  • #49
    tdawg
    Registered Users Posts: 27 ✭tdawg


    ninja900 wrote: »
    If so, he/she is by no means alone... It's got to the stage where I just assume any new/low post count poster is a plant :(

    Cheers, this truly is a most welcoming place.


  • #50
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    tdawg wrote: »
    Cheers, this truly is a most welcoming place.
    Ah, here now, your post received very clear replies none of which were anything but conversational (with the exception of the above, which is borne of recent frustrations, to be fair).

    Don't be like that. :)


  • #51
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,460 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    tdawg wrote: »
    Cheers, this truly is a most welcoming place.

    Sorry if you got the impression my post was aimed at you (it did say IF you were seeking offence you wouldn't be alone.) I had other posters in mind... There is a lot of disruption of threads going on, stupid circular arguments that have been debunked 100 times already, repeated 'I'll pray for you' posts, even someone who pretended to want religion banned to see if anyone would agree with them (who failed miserably to get a bite, btw :) )

    Scrap the cap!



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