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- Go to mary_x -- I didn't ask you where it came from I asked you what it means.
Gomedome,
You are right in saying that no derision or condescension was intended. However, attitudes are often implied and unconscious to the writer, so for that I apologize.
posted by
Blanche.
on May 28, 2005 at 6:46 PM
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mary_x -- I'm going to pick on one line in your otherwise intelligent and
sincere comment. "It isn't a deficiency of character not to have had a spiritual experience or awakening, it's just sad." ......if you want to insult someone that is the best way I know of how to do it. Though I am certain you did not mean it to be insulting as it stands alone in suggesting any form of derision in your comment. A statement such as this, first off is patronizing and to a degree condescending as well. It assumes that I am in need of awakening and that your own personal experience has somehow elevated you above those whom you extend your misplaced compassion to. You see, I can play this game as well, when people suggest that somehow I am an object of pity because I do not see what they see or derive what they feel they are getting from their religion I can always counter with the truth. Some of us are born awake so there is no need for an "awakening" and spiritual enlightenment came at an early age, early enough so that I didn't have to waste a minute of my adult life heading down the wrong path.
posted by
gomedome
on May 28, 2005 at 6:20 PM
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Okay, here you go, Gomedome
Boy, you sure have been raked over the coals by some nasty people. I printed out your blog, and fixed myself a cool drink because this could take a minute.
"The viral nature of the faith's self-proliferating command from Jesus to spread his word and the routine depiction by your faith's hierarchy of non-believers being deficient of spirit and character. A better word for the latter is propaganda, because that is exactly what it is."
It isn't a deficiency of character not to have had a spiritual experience or awakening, it's just sad.
"It does not matter how or by what means an individual puts their own house in order, in the instance of getting one's self on a productive and fulfilling life path, the end justifies almost any means..but why doesn't it stop there? Why is it that a person feels justified after turning to faith, (any faith) to disparage those around them that clearly do not need to "pick themselves up"?
Not everyone in this world in this world needs to pick themselves up from bad life decisions, unfortunate circumstances, ,and dumb human mistakes. Some of us have enviable lives, constructed entirely from our own disciplines.
Gome, that's great, and I'm not disparaging your hard work. You deserve to get the benefit of your own work, but unfortunate circumstances will happen to you or to someone you care about: illness, economic reversals, losses. I'm not saying that to be mean, it's just that nobody escapes from misfortune of some kind, just as none of us get out of here alive.
If you are depending solely on your own emotional and physical strength, there is a finite amount that any human being is capable of dealing with. There are circumstances beyond all our control. What do you do then? Fold up your tent and fall apart? Keep beating your head against a brick wall until it bleeds or look for a source of strength, support and hope? Besides which, the most talented, hard-working, energetic go-getters are taking what's provided: resources and moving them around. It's kind of like baking an apple pie and thinking, "Damn, that's a fantastic apple pie", and yet, did you create the apple tree that created the apples to make that pie? The air, soil, water and seeds that created that appple were also supplied for the baker of the pie.
What are the first things that come into your mind when you meet a non-believer?
The first thing that comes into my mind when I meet a non-believer. That's easy. I hope they don't die that way. I once took an epileptic neighbor to the hospital after a series of grand mal seizures, and yes, I was praying that he did not die.
posted by
Blanche.
on May 27, 2005 at 5:50 PM
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