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Jaahda - the larger fonts were not meant to signify anything, the Blogit
interface sometimes does that on its own.
Okay that was a joke, in jotting down notes and copying and pasting from my recent post I picked up some font formatting along the way. I have found that when most beliefs are truly examined objectively, a great deal of the disparity in what people believe can be simply accredited to nuances of definition. When all is examined objectively, it is also fair to say that we really know very little for certain.
posted by
gomedome
on March 8, 2007 at 8:35 PM
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I agree with you on so many points gome...................
such as your stuff 'just recently posted in your blog'. I also agree that organised religion has had great and 'horrible' failings. In regard to your last paragraph of response (written in larger letters) as I'm sure you most likely know, I disagree. But I'd like to add that I don't choose to insist that my rational, logical mind needs to understand, in it's own terms, everything that goes on either. I like this Stuart Wilde saying, "There are many things I don't understand. I like it that way". What do I say to those loud and troublesome preachers ? I say, "preach to me by example only please". Now that most often stops them right in their tracks. Or alternatively I get them to make an agreement that they will listen to my beliefs for an equal amount of time without questioning them. then afterwards - no debate. Or - once I invited some 7th days who knocked on my door looking all hot and bothered on a hot day into my kitchen for a glass of water .they were nosey - peeked into my practice room - saw all my herbs etc - got interested in what i do ............ and i couldn't resist telling them that i was also a witch. mebbe tis not funny - but i sure thort it so at the time.
posted by
Jaahda
on March 8, 2007 at 7:34 PM
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Tonyzonit - what can I say - it keeps me off of the street corners
If we are ever going to solve our problems as a species, true respect and tolerance of the rights of others is a mandatory ingredient to any solution. The types of antics perpetrated by religious folks, as you describe in your comment and as I have chronicled in this blog many times, directly contravene the acknowlegment of those rights. There are precious few forums or mediums where religious opinions such as mine can be voiced without the author suffering full blown societal ostracism. You are correct in saying that freedom of speech issues lie at the core of why I write this blog but there are many other reasons as well. Including but not limited to: Developing a prolific writing discipline, learning to write in English properly, as well as hearing the opinions and reactions of others to my contentions.
posted by
gomedome
on March 8, 2007 at 7:49 AM
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Jaahda - well first off, I have covered this many times in this blog but I
Just recently I posted the following in this blog:
-A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
-A commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
-A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
-A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
-A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
-A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human wellbeing and individual responsibility.
-A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.
Organized religion quite often fails miserably in advancing these goals.
Further; I do not believe that a conscious creator being exists nor that there is anything in the universe that has come to be as a result of supernatural influences. All spiritual experiences, manifestations, miracles and anything falling into a loose category of paranormal, are derived entirely from the human mind. Both by stimulation on the human brain itself and born of the desire, influence and expectations of religious belief.
posted by
gomedome
on March 8, 2007 at 7:36 AM
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Yes, I too am surprised at how tenaciously you plough this anti-religious
furrow, but it remains worth a regular read nonetheless, and you're right, the issue is still an important one. It's an offshoot, i think, of standing up for freedom of speech and even thought, because religious believers would happily either silence the critics or let them speak on but condemn them to eternal fiery hell - which is mental murder. Be like us or you gert roasted - eternally. A never-ending execution if you don't agree with us. A nice attitude, i must say.
posted by
Antonionioni
on March 8, 2007 at 5:00 AM
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gome ..just dropped in to say hello - i've been absent...........hi to the
newbies. I see your blogs generate a lot of interest and comment. tis an interesting thing i find. i'm intrigued by your spending so much energy 'debunking'. Would you care to tell us/me what you do actually believe in - and what these beliefs are predicated on ?
:-) Jaahda
posted by
Jaahda
on March 8, 2007 at 1:02 AM
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REFLECTIONOFME_223_30 - first off - a belated welcome to Blogit
Secondly: No I did not see The Passion of The Christ . . . I'm waiting for the sequal.
Now I'm not going to take you to task for all of the stuff that you have spewn forth in your comment. But I will say that having someone regurgitate their overdose of all things Jesus at me, I feel is akin to having someone barf on my shoes. I know quite well what your religion proclaims as its underlying tenets, it is however not my religion and never will be.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 5:58 PM
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RAME - I have to agree - the logic falls off of the rails at the point of
suggesting that evil is a counterbalance to good.
There simply has to be far more good in this world or it would cease to exist as we know it.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 5:45 PM
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Xeno-x - as you describe it is the basic premise as I understand it
"Evil exists so that we have a datum line with which to measure good" would be another way of saying it. Instead of answering the question that you pose (paraph.) ". . . why would an omnipotent all caring being allow so much evil in the world?" ....this becomes the convoluted answer means of bridging that inconsistancy.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 5:42 PM
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THERE IS A GOD
YOU KNOW THE DEVIL CAME TO KILL,STEAL AND DESTROY.EVIL ONLY HAPPENS BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE NAME OF JESUS.THERE IS A LIVING GOD.YOU HAVE TO FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO BELIEVE.YOU ALSO NEED CONVICTION IN YOUR HEART TO BELIEVE.DO YOU EVER WONDER HOW DID YOU GET HERE.DID YOU COME UP WITH AN ANSWER.HAVE YOU SEEN THE PASSION OF CHRIST.PEACE AND LOVE
posted by
Charnell_Lanay
on March 7, 2007 at 3:14 PM
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Gomedome,
I don't think they are thinking well. What they are saying sounds way off to me. It certainly doesn't prove in the existence of God.
posted by
RAME
on March 7, 2007 at 2:49 PM
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because people do bad things,this is proof of god?
hardly
it raises the question of a loving god. it is the major question that believers must address
if there is a loving god, then how come he allows so much evil in the wirld?
they might answer that god allows evil in order to demonstrate the contrast between evil and good -- thus, if there were no evil, then there would be no proof of god -- am i getting right what they are trying to say?
posted by
Xeno-x
on March 7, 2007 at 2:27 PM
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Troosha - no there is not ever enough tangible proof, there never will be
But it is more than skepticism or a jaded perspective that has some people not believing in God. There are other explanations for many things that are referred to as the work of God.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 12:31 PM
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Kripayne - it has been my experience that those capable of formulating a
sound contention when discussing religious beliefs are few and far between.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 12:26 PM
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Is there ever enough "tangible" proof
to convince a non believer or a soul guarded by walls of skepticism?
posted by
Troosha
on March 7, 2007 at 12:26 PM
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Granted the
example you give is a fairly moronic. It is more interesting to have ideological exchanges with people who actually know what they're talking about and can at least provide a decent argument.
posted by
Kripayne
on March 7, 2007 at 10:53 AM
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FactorFiction - your comment is hardly worth replying to but:
It may come as a surprise to you but there is not a person alive who does not find themselves self reaffirming when they voice a religious opinion. Either subconsciously, subtly or overtly. If you have all of the answers, more power to you.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 9:20 AM
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mydogissteve - welcome to Blogit
I agree with your assessment of the realities of voicing divergent religious opinions. It is a pointless exercise if one thinks that they will change anyone's mind. I have no illussions that what I post in this blog is not falling on mostly deaf ears but there are precious few mediums for voicing this type of opinion. The most that we can hope for in any opinions that we post is that well thought out contentions provide some food for thought for those who would attempt to run roughshod over us with their beliefs. Failing that, they will at least understand that attempts to sell some folks their God will glean them a figurative smack in the head.
posted by
gomedome
on March 7, 2007 at 9:12 AM
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Are you trying to convince yourself you are right?
I can't think of any other reason you try so hard to convince everyone else you are.
posted by
FactorFiction
on March 7, 2007 at 9:08 AM
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soak me with jesus juice.... excellent. With that kind of creative wit it seems you would want to do something besides battle with the believers... exhausting way to spend your time. You know we'll never beat them, right? How can a group of people who have no idea why they exist and what their purpose on earth is have any chance against an organized group who believe that they are commanded by the almighty to show us the light and enforce their will. All we can do is try to deflect their agendas. anyway, you amused me in a good way. nice h=job
posted by
mydogissteve
on March 7, 2007 at 8:51 AM
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