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AardigeAfrikaner - now it's time for you to put up or shut up
To refute what I have said, you need just one example of a paradigm that supports what Oddy suggests is possible within human behaviour. (and he does so without qualification I might add) And as for an example of my starting to use derogatory language on blogs that I comment on, I'll save you the time, that is simply bullshit. You won't find an example of my ever having done that, so you can either apologize for falsely accusing me or you can simply piss off and bother someone else. Better yet just piss off.
posted by
gomedome
on May 19, 2008 at 11:24 PM
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Re: I agree with you that a theocracy should be avoided at all costs,
I'm not sure you are using the words "broader maturity in the minds of individuals" to any effect in this blog, since it takes a broader and more mature mind to comprehend the meaning of these words.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on May 19, 2008 at 11:00 PM
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Re: Oddy - there is no existing paradigm to support what you are suggesting
I'm butting in again - but that's to be expected when you expose your opinions to readers. This is the one trend in your articles that annoys me and probably some other readers too. You make statements such as: "there is no existing paradigm...now or at any time in history" Do you actually believe you know all paradigms that existed throughout history? Unless you have won the nobel prize and hold phd's or something similar in history, sociology, political science and comparative religion, I'm forced to deduce that you are in fact much more narrow minded and ignorant about human nature and your own limitations than you are willing to admit. Statements such as these make readers doubt your ability to think clearly about the issues you raise despite your general display of fairly high intelligence. Whenever there is a comment or statements on other blogs that you comment on that does not fit your perception of reality you blindly reject it with absolutest terms or ignore it and start to use derogatory language ("what you are suggesting is myopic in nature") which is never conducive to open dialog and yet you pretend to be this wise guy that knows almost everything about anything. Swallow your pride and start conversing like an adult.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on May 19, 2008 at 10:53 PM
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Xeno-x - I think civil war may be a bit extreme but there is no doubt that
a great number of people would become disenfranchised.
Most proposals of establishing a theocratic government are made in a very subtle or roundabout way and primarily by people that do not understand the implications of what they are saying. All they know is that they want their specific religion to receive a recognition afforded to no other religions.
posted by
gomedome
on May 15, 2008 at 9:01 PM
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Oddy - there is no existing paradigm to support what you are suggesting
Not now or at any time in history. I would go as far as to say that what you are suggesting is myopic in nature, while ignoring a great number of realities. The most obvious being that mankind has not developed the same level of social values universally, some societies are still primitive in this regard, while still others subsist under the repression of predatory governments. You also ignore a great number of the conditions and influences that determine human social behaviour. Such as the distribution of wealth or things as simple as doing what is necessary to survive.
If you are using the word "maturity" as an all encompassing term to describe an awareness that allows the individual to understand that what is beneficial for society as a whole is also mutually beneficial for the individual, that I can agree with. We need only look at a tragectory of how common social behaviour and widely held values have evolved through recorded history to see that as a species we are developing socially. But you lose me here: ". . . there is a diminished need for governmental police power or dogmatic religion and hence they become obsolete"
posted by
gomedome
on May 15, 2008 at 8:56 PM
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vogue - thank you and thanx for stopping in
posted by
gomedome
on May 15, 2008 at 8:35 PM
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I HAVE STATED THIS BEFORE: THERE CAN BE A SORT OF "PYRAMID"
concept working.
First, it's religions other than Christianity (speaking of the U.S.ofA. here) that are affected.
Then it's various sects and cults of Christianity.
Then there is arguing among the belief systems of the various and varying mainstream denominations.
We could have maybe even a war between denominations.
We could eventually come down to one denomination ruling.
The one with the most adherents.
And all the rest? . . . either join or leave.
posted by
Xeno-x
on May 15, 2008 at 2:42 PM
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I agree with you that a theocracy should be avoided at all costs,
as it stifles out independent thinking and confines society into a stale and dormant state of existence. However, as I have a strong interest in the study of religion and sociology, I have taken keen notice of the parallels existing between religion and government. For example, both attempt to make the populace behave in certain ways and both set themselves up as superior to and above the individual mind.
The most interesting thing about this is that the maturity of the individual mind tends to diminish the need for both government and religious dogma. When proper behavior and morality are integrated (by choice) into the individual mind, by its own accord, there is a diminished need for governmental police power or dogmatic religion and hence they become obsolete.
Humanity must evolve toward a broader maturity in the minds of individuals in order to foster greater political freedoms and lasting liberty from religious oppression.
posted by
Oddy
on May 15, 2008 at 2:17 PM
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I love your critical mind and the fact that you are not afraid to take on any issue that bothers you. Freedom of speech in the best possible from.
posted by
vogue
on May 15, 2008 at 2:03 PM
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