The apparent fact that nothing real exists in that place we hold for god is of no consequence. That space is still there. Just like the number zero in our mathematical system is necessary even though it literally represents nothing. It is a necessary place-holder. There is indeed a god-shaped hole in the human psyche, and it will be filled with whatever we put there, be it love, respect, tolerance, truth, doubt, resentment, anger, bitterness, or indifference.

works for me.

I searched on “What did Sagan say about Velikovsky” and found the following:

Among Velikovsky's principal Harvard critics was the young Carl Sagan, who proceeded to dissect Velikovsky's astronomical arguments with all the painstaking and humorless diligence of a Richard Nixon. Sagan was then in his early twenties; since that time, he has made his excessive critique of Velikovsky an ongoing theme in his writings.

Half a minute of that stuff was more than I wanted.

I really enjoyed this. I thought the questioner was very clear in his question, and I thought Carl Sagan was brilliant in his response. Great post.

Meaningless drivel, prevarication and equivocation. The closest he came to saying anything was when he said if there was no god "we'd be on our own".

I have the greatest respect for Sagan, and I agree with everything he says here, but I may not be as ready as he appears to be to dismiss the utility of social lubricants. Of course the context would dictate whether the lubricant or the hard truth would be appropriate in a given situation.

I refer to "It" as Thou for just that reason.

He was a superstar.

Does belief in a god have a positive effect on people? Are they better for it?? What aspect is improved? Or....