From the genius series by Douglas Adams, envisioning a conversation with "God," the ruler of the universe and solopsist (solipsism). It is the last scene in the first BBC radio series of the science fiction comedy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The principal characters pay a visit to the ruler of the universe. The original 12 episode radio series, the trilogy of books, subsequent books, and even the low-budget British TV series are all far superior to the poorly done movie most people are familiar with. Here are three very short videos on the notion of questioning even sacred and sacrosanct topics such as God and religious beliefs.
Invited by Richard Dawkins, a satirical reading by Douglas Adams on the topic of future cows, bred to want to be eaten and capable of clearly saying so (Korean subtitles): God, the universe, and everything is brought into question in a spirit of free inquiry as the Buddha invited in the Kalama Sutra.
Douglas Adams on the anachronistic role of novels and the new use of science books. The world is a thing of utter and extraordinary complexity and mystery. It is wonderful to explore, to investigate, to question, and admire it. Writing satirical science fiction comedy allows him to do that, making perhaps the most significant author of the 20th Century. Now deceased, his influence remains -- as an author, skeptic, environmentalist, and above all a genius and wit.
Free thinker, atheist, and author Richard Dawkins speaking at UC Berkeley on the topic of religion and questioning the sacrosanct, quoting Douglas Adams in the process: "Religion...has certain ideas at the heart of it which we call sacred or holy or whatever. What it means is, 'Here is an idea or notion that you're not allowed to say anything bad about; you're just not. Why not? - because you're not!' "
