# "When the New York Times said God is dead..." **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 13, 2004, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997 "2004-02-13T05:33:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997/21 "2004-02-19T07:25:06Z")
Well, there was that old [“Kids in the Hall” sketch…](http://www.kithfan.org/work/transcripts/five/deadgod.html) ---
**Author:** ![beajerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@beajerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beajerry)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997/22 "2004-02-19T16:35:51Z")
Damn Nietzsche’s sister! Because of her, his proclaimation didn’t make the early press. ---
**Author:** ![pcroughn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/977dab/32.png) [@pcroughn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pcroughn)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997/23 "2004-02-19T19:04:31Z")
I got a reply from expert #2, noted EJ biographer, Elizabeth J. Rosenthal. This time I kept my hopes in my pocket, lest suffer a repeat of the NYTimes incident. Ms. Rosenthal writes: > [@](#): > > Hi Paul, > > I’m very sorry for taking so long to respond. I was away for a few days and neglected to indicate that on my “expert” profile. > > Anyway, I don’t think the New York Times ever declared that “God is dead.” Somehow, I don’t think they’d ever take it upon themselves to do that. However, during the era in question, there were prominent discussions questioning all sorts of orthodoxies and the NYT may have asked the question, “Is God Dead?” in a headline. Please note, though, that I’m not sure of this. Also, some have speculated that Levon contains veiled references to a popular book of the time, “Future Shock” by Alvin Toffler, and that “Alvin Tostig” is a messed-up anagram of “Toffler.” Again, this is speculation. > > What makes this matter all the more frustrating is that Bernie Taupin, Elton’s lyricist, was often so cryptic in his writing that even he didn’t know what he meant! > > That’s about all I can tell you! > > Elizabeth J. Rosenthal Well, it doesn’t exactly answer the question, but sure gave it a shot. That E.J. Rosenthal is a class act, in my book. I know that plugging products is frowned upon here. But for the sake of establishing Ms. Rozenthal’s credibility, I’ll mention that she is the author of good book about Elton John. I’m sure a search of the i-net will yeild the title, should you so wish to inquire I guess we’re just going to have to contact Bernie Taupin. But how do I go about doing that? A gallery in California sells his paintings. They must be in reqular contact with him… I’m sure that there’s a place to send fan mail. But how effective can that be? There must be a lot of mail going there, and how will my little letter catch anyone’s attention? I guess I can fly out to California and knock on his door. Celebs are impressed by things like that. Ya know. I bet **Cecil** , with the resources of the Chigaco Tribune at his disposal would have little or no trouble getting the job done. Perhaps, he or one of his staff can take a stab at it? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997/24 "2004-02-19T21:11:02Z")
I’m impressed by this research! Alvin Tostig - Alvin Toffler is interesting. I read Future Shock, and I don’t remember anything particularly relevant, but could the war be Vietnam, not WW II? Jesus wanting to go to Venus could set the song in the future, after all. The “God is Dead” cover was quite famous at the time, and was still remembered when the song was written, so perhaps New York Times scanned better than Time for they lyric. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997/25 "2004-02-20T01:43:31Z")
> [@pcroughn](#): > > I bet **Cecil** , with the resources of the Chigaco Tribune at his disposal would have little or no trouble getting the job done. Perhaps, he or one of his staff can take a stab at it? Um, **Unka Cecil** is not affiliated with the Chicago Tribune. He has ties with the Chicago Reader, a fine and interesting weekly Alternative paper. And I think his staff consists mainly of Ed Zotti, and the admins, moderators, and volunteer SDSAB members, along with the Teeming Millions. So, in a way, his staff has already taken a crack at it! ---
**Author:** ![pcroughn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/977dab/32.png) [@pcroughn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pcroughn)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997/26 "2004-02-20T02:04:18Z")
It takes a pretty big man to admit when he is wrong. I wish I were that man. 😉 Where did I get that he worked for the Tribune?! Wow. In fact, my whole image of Cecil Adams has changed in the last week. I always thought of Cecil as a dude in an office of the Chicago Tribune, with a handful of researchers, working away to solve the mysteries of humankind. Anyway, thanks Q the M, for setting me straight. (really) Remind me to give you $20 the next time I see you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-new-york-times-said-god-is-dead/228997.md?page=1)