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- Go to The Big Why....or.....Faith, My Way
Krisles...
So many thoughts, so few words. I will add a thought to this discussion. I hear a lot about "secular humanism" and how Christianity is under attack. The Seattle airport banned all "holiday displays" that were religious in nature in a supposed effort to keep from offending other faiths. I have to wonder just who was offended and why it bothered them so much? I consider myself an agnostic (with reservations - that is if I find myself at the Pearly Gates I will wink and St. Peter and all will be cool) but try as I may, I can't seem to get offended by Christian Christmas displays. What are these people so afraid of? Are they afraid they are going to "catch" religion? I can think of much worse things than that. The bottom line is, I won't try to convet anyone to agnostitism, and should I find myself converted to whatever, well that will have been my choice.
I think there is plenty of room for a lot of schools of thought, the real problem comes when someone tries to assert thiers over others. In the end, it doesn't matter whether we were created or evolved, what really matters is how we live our lives and how we respect others. Peace!
posted by
food4thought
on November 2, 2007 at 10:29 PM
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oops! forgot the
(Maker's Mark tonight....Corbin's rotgut)
posted by
Krisles
on November 2, 2007 at 7:21 PM
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Nautikos
Thank you for letting me off my petard! I made that decision because it's the only answer to all the "why's" that makes sense to me.....it's what I was trying to say throughout this post....in which I obviously failed miserably......sob! (
Scarlet turns to audience and freshens her lipstick....) You mean ol' Sailor Boy........
And, my comment about proof was only as it relates to certainty....whether in matters of knowledge or faith....hmmmm, you did say you like to debate....are you trying to hook me....sailor or fisherman......there is a difference, you know.....
posted by
Krisles
on November 2, 2007 at 7:19 PM
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Re: Nautikos
Krisles, my dear, there really is no need for an apology!
When I said what I did, I didn't mean to complain about what you had written - it was simply meant to clarify my position, to help with understanding it.
Your other point is very interesting - your observation that faith requires a decision! I think you are correct, but if I were really mean, I would ask you why you would make that decision! But since I am not, I won't ask... And 'proof' only belongs to matters of 'knowledge', not matters of 'faith'...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 2, 2007 at 7:09 PM
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Nautikos
Please accept my sincere apology for my poor wording choice....I know that you haven't been trying to persuade anyone with your posts.....I was just doing my usual speed writing and didn't actually realize that was what I had written. I'm sure that the reason I did that, though, is because your posts are so scholarly and far-reaching in their scope....touching on so many areas as you bring us along on your journey through the development of this whole relationship of man and "religion" (a lame description, I know, but this is already long!)...it's almost like a classroom experience, and you are like a professor....so I'm subconsciously putting a somewhat persuasive quality to your writing....I know what I'm trying to say, but it may not have come out.
And then, there's also the fact that you have shared some of your own thinking about the subject, and I don't think anyone can be completely objective. I love to listen to good attorney practice giving opening remarks for either side, trying to paint a "just the facts" picture that no one would be able to ascertain which side they really represented...I'm sure I make assumptions.....again, my apologies....there is nothing in your writings, other than excellence, and I thoroughly enjoy them.
As for your point on the folks who are comfortable with mystery, I'm glad you are comfortable with mystery.....but, I'm not sure I agree that faith is for those who need certainty....I know it speaks of certainty and faith in the Bible; but, when I think of certainty, I think of something requiring solid proof....and I think of faith as requiring a decision, in spite of certainty.....and of being very, very comfortable with mystery.
posted by
Krisles
on November 2, 2007 at 6:20 PM
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Krisles
Ta for the compliments! Just two points: 1) I am really not trying to persuade anyone of anthing. All I am trying to do is approach the phenomenon of 'religion' in an attempt to 'understand' it qua phenomenon, rather than from the point of view of the 'believer'; how it relates to other 'social facts', and how it can be understood historically.
2) The question of 'why' things happen inevitably ends in mysteries. I have no problem with mysteries, and fully accept that life ultimately is mysterious. But many people don't like being faced with those kinds of mysteries, they need certainty. And if you need certainty, you can only find it in faith...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 2, 2007 at 4:47 PM
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TAPS
That's exactly my point....there is only one answer, in my opinion, to all the why's....and I think that is why man will always believe, in the end of all searching, in a Supreme Being....all why's lead one back there.
posted by
Krisles
on November 2, 2007 at 5:37 AM
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Krisles
"Why?" is a path that leads to another, and another, and another. It is a network of paths that lead one farther and farther from the "Who?" and the "What?" and the "How?" People get hung up on the "Why?" because they really do not want to face the "Who?" and "What?" and "How?"
posted by
TAPS.
on November 1, 2007 at 9:19 PM
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Very enlightening.
posted by
Kayzzaman
on October 31, 2007 at 10:15 PM
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Very enlightening.
posted by
Kayzzaman
on October 31, 2007 at 10:15 PM
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Thought Inducing !
posted by
afzal50
on October 31, 2007 at 9:17 PM
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My dear CB...I read this a little while ago and another one you wrote about your g/father and you fishing. I love both of them and if I might add I recall a quote from Joseph Campbell who kind of made things go together for me. It went something like this..
"If we knew all the answers to all the questions then what would be the value of faith?"
Hope all is going well in your world...Love ST
posted by
Offy
on October 31, 2007 at 8:52 PM
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krisles
thanks for sharing
posted by
richinstore
on October 31, 2007 at 8:46 PM
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