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I'm with Paul. It's very rare that human beings do anything other than what feels right to them. Every dictator and tyrant in history did what felt right to him. I'm sure Pol Pot woke up every morning looking forward to another sunny day of doing what felt right to Pol Pot.
So people should absolutely not do what feels right to them, especially if it involves doing to other people something that the other people don't feel is right to them.
I'd go along with that, apart from one tiny flaw: it is demonstrably the case that Abrahamic theists will try to force their belief and morality systems onto everyone else.Quote:
Originally Posted by dizzydoll
The term is more properly Semitic belief systems, and in an historical context, these systems cannot be ignored; they made important contributions to the advance of human civilization, and whether they are now fossils remains to be seen. The huminoid links in the chain go back roughly 2.5M, making religious systems developed by true humans relative infants, and while I do not like having a proscribed stairway to heaven, I do not quite dismiss the metaphysical issues involved in Semitic/Western triumphalism and Eastern stoicism. I use stoicism for lack of a better phrase to emcompass Hinduism/Bhuddism and Asian pragmaticism.
Materialism is accurate to such and such a degree, but, if the human animal is self aware of the fact that it is a machine, then maybe the machine isn't simply a biological marvel unto itself. That assertion might be used to defend divinity but I am not positing that--just that maybe being human essentially became the ability to move beyond certain forces inherent in evolutionary pressures.
I think we're more than our meat, and I actually think Mitchell believes that too, despite how often he shows how we grind our meat throughout history in his work, and that we eschew vulgarity may be an indicator of our own awareness of that.
What about those of us who don't eschew vulgarity?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Well, we're all just more fun, likely to get banned, and in general have a better time--but there is a difference between having a nice scatological discourse and implied bigotry--although I have a secret disguise to hide the fact that I'm actually SPASTIC FASCIST, and truly believe that people with cerebral palsy are smarter, better, and will one day rule the world.:biggrin5:Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkBastable
"to force "is not an Accurate word .Quote:
Originally Posted by The Atheist
I'd go along with that, apart from one tiny flaw: it is demonstrably the case that Abrahamic theists will try to force their belief and morality systems onto everyone else.
look what God asked the believers to say to the disbelievers :
"Al-Kafiroon
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: O disbelievers! (1) I worship not that which ye worship; (2) Nor worship ye that which I worship. (3) And I shall not worship that which ye worship. (4) Nor will ye worship that which I worship. (5) Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. (6) "
Does this mean to you imposing by force on others ??!!!
Moreover look what God said to prophet Mohammad when he asked his uncle who was on his death bed to repent :
"Lo! thou (O Muhammad) guidest not whom thou lovest, but Allah guideth whom He will. And He is best aware of those who walk aright."( AL_KASAS,55)
No one could open the heart of anyone to the words of God and guide him to His path . Faith lies in hearts and God wants truthfull hearts . And this could not be by force .
I hope u won't consider my argument any kind of force , too !!
No, because that would leave out christianity. The Abrahamic beliefs neatly cover all of the major religions which have the sky-daddy/Allan/God/G-d as their boss.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Quite right; they should be every bit a part of history in the way that Odin, Osiris, Baal, Vishnu and Zeus are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Oh, I don't expect them to go away any time soon, and there's no question they have contributed to human civilsation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Whether for the general good or bad is hard to say.
Maybe you misunderstood my point - I'm not saying the god-thing forces people to do anything, because I don't believe there is any entity which is at all godlike.Quote:
Originally Posted by caddy_caddy
I'm saying people. in the name of their religion, try to force others to believe the same thing, a fact which is just indisputable, as under:
Here is a list of countries where written blasphemy is illegal.
Basically every single word I write on the subject of religion and god/s is considered blasphemy in those countries, although the degree to which the laws are pursued differ widely.
Do you honestly believe I would be able to write scathing comments about the "sky-daddy" if I lived in Iran, Saudi Arabia, or many other countries?
There are still eight states of USA which have laws prohibiting atheists from some offices and functions! (They're unenforceable constitutionally, but it shows the lengths people go to, to try to achieve their aims.)
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by caddy_caddy
Not at all!
I'm not accusing all believers of being that way, but it is a very repetitive fact of human history that churches will attempt to force their beliefs.
I said earlier that if people stuck to their worship, I don't have an issue with any kind of theism.
Atheist, while Christianity has basically morphed into sometimes unrecognizable denominations, it is still Semitic in origin, and some scholars who I have not read claim that we have Paul to thank for making it an international faith, and not Jesus, but both men were still ethnic Hebrews.
In a mild defense of Jewish believers, however, most do not practice missionary conversion in the evangelical style of those terribly frightening Protestants ;). It might surprise you to learn, however, that most Catholic theologians with power are atheists just like you--and I am a bit tired of taking it all too seriously.
I think "terribly annoying" is more accurate than "terribly frightening."
Well, some of them scare me Juniper, not that I don't understand zealotry a little, since I can be obsessive--
The Atheist , thx for saying that .
People used to throw everything on God and do not asssume responsibilty .
Yes u're right since it's the greatest sin .
Have no fear, I'm extremely well-versed in the history.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
My point was that using "semitic religions" will make readers think of judaism and islam, while "Abrahamic religions" covers christianity and sikkhism as well - plus anyone else that has the sky-daddy originally known as YHWH as its boss.
Yep. I quite frequently comment that moderate Talmudic judaism (how's that for a concept!) is probably the most benign form of religion available outside of Eastern religions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Wouldn't surprise me at all. I often try to figure what percentage of Cardinals are actually pragmatic rather than devout. Some evangelicals, I know for a fact, are completely atheist and taking the money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
You won't find many atheists saying it!Quote:
Originally Posted by caddy_caddy
:D
Too true, too true... and they are well supported.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Atheist
I'd prefer to have a goddess :ihih: .Quote:
Originally Posted by Lote-Tree
I can tell you why I do it. Just for fun, honestly. I like the c word because it's a fun word to use. I'll say it in nice ways too.
But when using swear words in harsh ways... Most use them because they are so very dreaded that they are voodoo for most people.
The effect of a word will determine its use.
It is definitely the most interesting word in English.Quote:
Originally Posted by Revolte
Use of it in "inappropriate" situations can be highly enlightening and revealing.