Bill Gates: ‘It Makes Sense to Believe in God’ (edited)

[Danno 1,228]

Bill Gates: ‘It Makes Sense to Believe in God’

(CNSNews.com) – Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and now a global philanthropist with an estimated net worth of $76.8 billion, said “it makes sense to believe in God,” adding that there is “no scientific explanation” for how the world came about.

Gates also criticized the NSA leaker Edwin Snowden, describing him as no hero, and went on to praise the U.S. government as one of “the best” in the world.

Gates, who is married to Melinda Gates, with whom he has three children, spends much of his time supporting philanthropic causes through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In an interview for the Mar. 27 issue of Rolling Stone, among many questions, Gates was asked: “You’re a technologist, but a lot of your work now with the foundation has a moral dimension. Has your thinking about the value of religion changed over the years?”

Gates said, “The moral systems of religion, I think, are super important. We've raised our kids in a religious way; they've gone to the Catholic church that Melinda goes to and I participate in. I've been very lucky, and therefore I owe it to try and reduce the inequity in the world. And that's kind of a religious belief. I mean, it's at least a moral belief.”

Rolling Stone then asked, “Do you believe in God?”

Planet Earth shown from space. (AP)

Gates said, “I agree with people like Richard Dawkins that mankind felt the need for creation myths. Before we really began to understand disease and the weather and things like that, we sought false explanations for them. Now science has filled in some of the realm – not all – that religion used to fill.”

“But the mystery and the beauty of the world is overwhelmingly amazing, and there's no scientific explanation of how it came about,” said Gates. “To say that it was generated by random numbers, that does seem, you know, sort of an uncharitable view [laughs].”

“I think it makes sense to believe in God,” said Gates, “but exactly what decision in your life you make differently because of it, I don't know.”

As for the NSA document leaker Edward Snowden, Rolling Stone asked, “Do you consider him a hero or a traitor?”

This June 9, 2013 file photo provided by The Guardian Newspaper in London shows National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, in Hong Kong. Snowden says his "mission's already accomplished" after leaking NSA secrets that have caused a reassessment of U.S. surveillance policies. (AP Photo/The Guardian, Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, File)

Gates said, “I think he broke the law, so I certainly wouldn't characterize him as a hero. If he wanted to raise the issues and stay in the country and engage in civil disobedience or something of that kind, or if he had been careful in terms of what he had released, then it would fit more of the model of "OK, I'm really trying to improve things." You won't find much admiration from me.”

Later, Gates commented on the federal government stating that it is “a pretty blunt instrument and without the constant attention of highly qualified people with the right metrics, it will fall into not doing things very well.”

However, “[t]he U.S. government in general is one of the better governments in the world,” said Gates. “It’s the best in many, many respects. Lack of corruption, for instance, and a reasonable justice system.”

- See more at: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/bill-gates-it-makes-sense-believe-god#sthash.FqO4iv0Q.iBZsA6dq.dpuf

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Is there a point to this article? Religion is a myth. We knew that already. Now we know that Bill Gates knows that, too. I sort of assumed that he did. He's a smart guy, after all.

Thread title is incorrect, too. It should read: "Bill Gates: ‘It Makes Sense to Believe in God’". Nothing in the article suggests that he's warming up to God. Nothing in the article suggests, really, that his religious leanings have undergone any change whatsoever. As such, your thread title is off the mark. As usual, I might add.

Edited March 23, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[mota bhai 2,675]

Gates said, “The moral systems of religion, I think, are super important. We've raised our kids in a religious way; they've gone to the Catholic church that Melinda goes to and I participate in. I've been very lucky, and therefore I owe it to try and reduce the inequity in the world. And that's kind of a religious belief. I mean, it's at least a moral belief.”

...

“But the mystery and the beauty of the world is overwhelmingly amazing, and there's no scientific explanation of how it came about,” said Gates. “To say that it was generated by random numbers, that does seem, you know, sort of an uncharitable view [laughs].”

“I think it makes sense to believe in God,” said Gates, “but exactly what decision in your life you make differently because of it, I don't know.”

...

Gates said, “I think he broke the law, so I certainly wouldn't characterize him as a hero. If he wanted to raise the issues and stay in the country and engage in civil disobedience or something of that kind, or if he had been careful in terms of what he had released, then it would fit more of the model of "OK, I'm really trying to improve things." You won't find much admiration from me.”

Mr. Gates is correct on all counts.

1. Reducing inequity in the world is a laudable goal, a moral goal.

2. The mystery of the world isn't explained by existing science.

3. Whether you believe or disbelieve in God makes no difference to how you make decisions in life.

4. Snowden isn't a hero. He's a criminal, at best.

[JohnR! 5,495]

And yet, no word from god - any god - on the issue.... None.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Now watch the rabid atheists bark and howl. Like dogs, they are so predictable.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Reported for thread title not matching title of article. You're welcome.

[Operator 1,927]

For those who don't speak Billionaire allow me to translate Mr. Bill's answer to "Do you believe in God?"

No

[B_J 2,752]

For those who don't speak Billionaire allow me to translate Mr. Bill's answer to "Do you believe in God?"

No

I would say his answer is, "No, but my wife does and I respect that."

As opposed to the often expressed thought that anybody who believes in God is deserving of mockery.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I would say his answer is, "No, but my wife does and I respect that."

As opposed to the often expressed thought that anybody who believes in God is deserving of mockery.

FWIW, the rabid militant atheist types aren't the kind of people I ever meet IRL. Only online. Maybe they're all too cowardly to act this way IRL?

[B_J 2,752]

Agreed. I know more than a few atheists and they are all very good, polite people.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Me too. I suspect they might be total dickwads online, though.

[JohnR! 5,495]

FWIW, the rabid militant atheist types aren't the kind of people I ever meet IRL. Only online. Maybe they're all too cowardly to act this way IRL?

I have never seen any such rabid atheists in these forums either.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I have never seen any such rabid atheists in these forums either.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I would say his answer is, "No, but my wife does and I respect that."

As opposed to the often expressed thought that anybody who believes in God is deserving of mockery.

I am of the belief that I do not care what other people believe. You believing in God does not influence my NOT believing in God.

Let's live our lives believing in whatever makes sense in our brains and move on.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

I have an appointment with God next Thursday. If it goes like the last appointment I will have to sit in the waiting room for hours and there isn't anything to read except the life and times of Timothy Leary. You can post your questions and I will pass along to him, but cannot guarantee correct answers. He likes to talk in metaphors and idioms.

Edited March 24, 2014 by ExExpat