Not necessarily that they want to believe in something bigger than
themselves but instead want to feel involved in something seemingly
superior to the rest of the world (as they know it). Whether it's a
pantheon of Gods, monotheism, a "Great" or "Dear" Leader, or a
preacher with a vat of kool-aid next to him, the followers feel a
(superior) separation from the rest of society. Us vs Them. God
usually ends up nothing more than a tool...
I was hoping to tie this in with the Tolerance vs Respect article that
Joy posted earlier, but as is typical my train of thought got
derailed. In any case, as I mentioned during our psychotic trip back
from Phoenix, I believe in some great universal 'force' and some may
call it God *BUT* it's not necessarily an entity and regardless it's
not worth praying, fighting, and killing over. It's quite simple
really. We're born. We eat, sleep, reproduce, read Steinbeck, watch
bad horror films, and do a variety of activities. We die. This will
happen quite naturally without needing a God. We can have a Code of
Ethics quite easily without needing God(s) and thereby removing a
convenient crutch - responsibility lies within the person and not
within in some other 'being' (e.g. "the Devil made me do it").
I think all the Religious True Believers in the world should get
together, say their prayers, and have one big fight. Only fisticuffs.
We'll see which side God blesses. In the meantime, me and my Heretic
buddies will be watching, drinking a few, and laying odds on that
buxomy bible-thumper...
Another mindless rant...been a long day at work.
Ozzy
--- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, "Mikal" <mikalm_at_i...>
wrote:
> I'd answer this one with a lengthy treatise about the nature of
humans to
> want to believe in SOMETHING bigger than themselves. But I'm REALLY
busy
> with eBay now (another hot Friday with much $ coming my way if these
people
> pay).
>
> Just watch the sophistry about suicide bombers, okay? To some of
us, this
> is on the same level as blood libel.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Hiram Gonash" <okfreddy_at_h...>
> To: <OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 3:33 PM
> Subject: [OliveStarlightOrchestra] Re: Just read this.
>
>
> > Arguably that scenario falls into the "personality cult" type of
> > religion. I would think that a lack of belief in a (super)natural
> > higher power would also hold a lack of belief in a superior human
(i.
> > e. the Great Leader may think he's God but he's gotta shit
sometimes).
> >
> > You won't see me blindly following any political leader - just HST
> > will do.
> >
> > --- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, "Mikal" <mikalm_at_i.
..>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > At least we're not putting on Vests 'o Dynamite, blowing up
> > abortion
> > > > clinics, or trying to forceably impose our Morality on others
> > (much)..
> > > > .
> > >
> > > Cheap shot. That's like me saying, "At least theists don't
found
> > > red-flag-waving political movements, and murder people by the
> > millions in
> > > the name of Reason, Justice and Humanity."
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > OliveStarlightOrchestra-unsubscribe_at_yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.
com/info/terms/
> >
> >
Received on 2003-05-30 17:41:33