Speak Your Mind: Going Once, Going Twice…Soul’d!
Like an increasing number of people, I identify as an atheist/agnostic (depending on the day). As such, I don’t believe that human are imbued with an immortal soul. I’ll use the phrase “selling your soul” to mean selling out or turning on what you believe in, but I don’t take it literally.
Last week I heard an episode of Freakonomics, an economics podcast. The episode was titled “Soul Possession,” and it looked at the economics of purchasing a soul. That was interesting and all, but I was more taken in by the story of a man who has been trying to sell a soul for 10 years and couldn’t find a seller. He was surprised that despite making the offer to atheists, no one took him up on it for a decade.
This got me thinking, Would I sell my soul? Like I said, I don’t believe that I have one. But the thought of it still gives me the willies. What does it say about me? I know intellectually that this would be a financial windfall; money for nothing. But, I don’t know…
Would you sell your soul if you believed you didn’t have one? Does the thought kind of weird you out? How much would you ask for it? If you bought a soul, would you resell it?
Featured image credit: Molly DG
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4 Comments
I sold my soul for a DVD once. I was already an atheist, but it did give me a little pause. I think mostly because of the Simpsons episode where Bart sells his soul and somehow loses the ability to feel joy. In the years since I don’t think I’ve sold my soul again, but I have bet it on things before. The good thing about a soul is you can just keep re-selling it.
I can’t help but wonder what DVD you sold your soul for…
I would definitely get free money/possessions for my “soul”. I don’t believe in souls. Free money is good stuff.
I don’t believe in souls either but the idea kind of weird me out. I had a discussion with a friend once about souls and the subject of “soul-mates” came up. She thinks it sad that I think neither exist.
I agree with Elly, definitely free money or possessions for my “soul”. I’d even give a receipt but no exchange policy please.