Happy Atheist Forum

General => Obituaries => Topic started by: Tank on March 14, 2018, 06:19:59 AM

Title: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Tank on March 14, 2018, 06:19:59 AM
Stephen Hawking dies aged 76 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43396008)

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/1273C/production/_100408557_mediaitem100408555.jpg)

An amazing man, insperational in many ways. Imperfect in others.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Dave on March 14, 2018, 08:00:13 AM
Oh, dear, this is a real loss. I hope there is some kind of lasting meaningful memorial, not a statue etc but some sort of endowment to continue his work.

I have just heard it on the radio as I type this.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Bluenose on March 14, 2018, 10:59:40 AM
(https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29178445_1850157741669451_6377876437551971369_n.jpg?_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeGIa34zCnF86dXLyDJsH1oTCksV5_oxh8nKbAPehCc-xiUW9LrF2_1hYFK59PWUpnWZVtxLRB2gyBY3ErdCvJBnzAThtggysrnyHVjA6PMrrA&oh=1f4607550b4b8b0e9b27b682255b6f53&oe=5B4E5C56)
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Asmodean on March 14, 2018, 11:48:12 AM
I'm not very good at obituaries, but I did find myself waking up to an emptier world once again, and this time in quite a big personal way.

Much of my curiosity, willingness to explore new ideas and go against the cards, which I was dealt, not to mention a fair chunk of my understanding of the Universe is thanks to his influence, as witnessed by the well-worn state of the pages of my old copy of A Brief History of Time.

A loss for rational, thinking world that his death represents, there is no doubt that many brilliant young minds now stand on the shoulders of giants, looking ever up and forward and growing into giants themselves, at least partly because of Hawking's contributions.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on March 14, 2018, 11:50:52 AM
It's amazing he lived this long with ALS.  Most die within a few years.  Remarkable.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: xSilverPhinx on March 14, 2018, 01:09:45 PM
A loss for sure. The man was an inspiration, not only as a scientist but as a human being.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Davin on March 14, 2018, 01:58:18 PM
It's sad.

(https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6ozkQ4KMCUHeKDug/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Dave on March 14, 2018, 09:08:24 PM
Rebroadcast of Hawking's BBC Reith lecture(s?)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pttqf
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: xSilverPhinx on March 15, 2018, 08:34:18 PM
Funny how many Christians are showing their true colours on social media, asserting that Hawking is now in hell because he was an atheist. Truly disgusting mindset, if you ask me.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Davin on March 15, 2018, 09:20:35 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on March 15, 2018, 08:34:18 PM
Funny how many Christians are showing their true colours on social media, asserting that Hawking is now in hell because he was an atheist. Truly disgusting mindset, if you ask me.
Yeah they do that a lot. And every time they do I can't help but think, "Are you trying to sell hell to me? Because saying that all the best people are going to be in hell makes it sound much better than heaven."
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Dave on March 15, 2018, 09:44:12 PM
Quote from: Davin on March 15, 2018, 09:20:35 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on March 15, 2018, 08:34:18 PM
Funny how many Christians are showing their true colours on social media, asserting that Hawking is now in hell because he was an atheist. Truly disgusting mindset, if you ask me.
Yeah they do that a lot. And every time they do I can't help but think, "Are you trying to sell hell to me? Because saying that all the best people are going to be in hell makes it sound much better than heaven."
I was going to say heaven is potentially full of vicars, pastors, priests, mullahs, ayatollahs etc. Then I rethought it, sounds more like hell to me considering the behaviour of some of those people!
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Sandra Craft on March 15, 2018, 10:41:50 PM
Quote from: Dave on March 15, 2018, 09:44:12 PM
Quote from: Davin on March 15, 2018, 09:20:35 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on March 15, 2018, 08:34:18 PM
Funny how many Christians are showing their true colours on social media, asserting that Hawking is now in hell because he was an atheist. Truly disgusting mindset, if you ask me.
Yeah they do that a lot. And every time they do I can't help but think, "Are you trying to sell hell to me? Because saying that all the best people are going to be in hell makes it sound much better than heaven."
I was going to say heaven is potentially full of vicars, pastors, priests, mullahs, ayatollahs etc. Then I rethought it, sounds more like hell to me considering the behaviour of some of those people!

"Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company."  Probably Mark Twain.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: xSilverPhinx on March 16, 2018, 11:32:22 PM
All the best people might be in hell, but many theists who believe in heaven and hell want them there to suffer for all eternity.

:notsure: Maybe they have it backwards, hell is the better place and the people in heaven deserve each other.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Sandra Craft on March 17, 2018, 12:07:27 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on March 16, 2018, 11:32:22 PM
All the best people might be in hell, but many theists who believe in heaven and hell want them there to suffer for all eternity.

:notsure: Maybe they have it backwards, hell is the better place and the people in heaven deserve each other.

That's certainly my take on it.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on March 17, 2018, 09:01:57 PM
There is no eternal hell.  All are saved. All are loved by God.
Title: Re: Stephen Hawking
Post by: xSilverPhinx on March 20, 2018, 11:16:07 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on March 17, 2018, 09:01:57 PM
There is no eternal hell.  All are saved. All are loved by God.

Whether that's true or not or whether it is actually a desirable end it is a nice, inclusive sentiment in a world where it seems the majority, or at least the most vocal say otherwise. You stay that way, Bruce.  :thumbsup: