Chris asks: "What do you believe and what is the foundation for your belief?"
I believe in the sum of human understanding. All of it. I don't want to leave a single stone unturned. Yes, I have to make considered judgements about what I will believe, today. Tomorrow, who knows? The adventure of discovery continues.
We don't know what might be round the corner. Some clever folks, who tend to be from the field of science, have predicted what is waiting for us, up ahead. Some not so clever ones, who tend to be from the field of religion, have tried too, but have so far returned an embarassing failure rate of 100%. See, they talk about a "God of the gaps", but I don't think it's the gaps in science, I think it's the big empty spaces in people's minds where gods find space to live.
But I don't just reject religion. In fact, I don't trust anyone who waves a book at me and says, "This has all the answers you'll ever need! It's all here in the Complete and Comprehensive Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything".
The Nazis indoctrinated the Hitler Youth with Mein Kampf. The Communists had their unimaginatively titled Communist Manifesto. The Muslims have their Qur'an. And the Christians have their Bible. Chairman Mao understood the need to have an unimaginatively titled book of "truths" when he had distributed his Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong.
Anyone who ties their thinking to one book or doctrine is limiting his world view and creating in him/herself an easily controllable asset for those who might one day wish to exploit it.
Because leaders whose power relies on the followers of their doctrine will always fear and seek to destroy a rival doctrine.
The Nazis hated the Communists and disposed of them like cattle, at any opportunity. The Soviet Communists hunted out those who practised religion and treated them to holiday in a Siberian concetration camp. The American Christians feared Communists and had their own little fun witch-hunt. And since Communism has all but crumbled, we have the American Christians vs the Islamic Crazies.
"Ah", you'll say, "but my book is different to all the others. I know you've heard bad things about it, but that's because you don't really understand it. You need to read it, cover to cover, with someone to "help" you. Then everything will become clear. Until you do, you just won't know. So, just step this way and you'll be on the road to enlightenment..."
No. I don't think I'll be reading your book from cover to cover. I may dip into it, once in a while, if I feel in particular need of amusement. You can limit yourself, if you feel the need, but I'm just about as enlightened as I'm ever going to get, thanks all the same.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Questions Questions
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11 comments:
This may shock you. But I think you're just fine, Simon. You may be opposite of what I believe concering God, but you're still on a right path as far as I'm concerned. Just because one goes to a church and does public "Christian" works doesn't mean they're on the right path. I work with people who are Big Church People and are total hypocrites.
I don't have all the answers. Nor do you. But just maybe, we both know a little something regardless.
(I'm thinking you have more answers than I do.) :)
simon, didn't you link a while back to the blog of an ex-christian who lost his faith precisely because he read the bible cover to cover?
I admit I know almost nothing as a percentage of all there is to know. But organised religion says it has all you need to know.
yes, moonflake, reading the Bible isn't a 100% fullproof way to find the Christian god, it seems.
I wonder why these Christians insist I need to read the Bible (I've had about 6 or so offers, so far). Considering Jesus managed to convince people of his beliefs just talking to them or making rabbits appear from his top hat, or whatever...
"You need to read it, cover to cover, with someone to "help" you. Then everything will become clear."
This is why I read this blog. Some times I think Mr Adams is giving you a little nudge from beyond... But then that would make Mr Adams and I a pair of dirty hypocrite types wouldn't it! That would be a juicy irony.
And. As always. Logic shall prevail. Or not, in the case of the book types. Who unfortunately run most of the world... Damn, It doesn't look good for the hopes of logic. Oh well. Back to the bottle fo me:)
Simon,
Thanks for the post. I will say this, the sum total of human understanding still will not give you the answers to life's key questions. All the philosophy, logic, math, science will never be able to tell you why you are here, what makes you you and what happens to you when you die. Period end of discussion.
I agree that many people in organized religion are hypocrites. There is a difference between what's in the bible and what people believe and practice. Simple as that. Often people who talk about the bible, haven't read it. They make statements about what's in it that aren't true and they live their lives pointing fingers at others, condemning them for living their life a certain way and they themselves live their lives as a lie. This is what turns people off about religion. I get that.
Your statement "Considering Jesus managed to convince people of his beliefs just talking to them" is an example of someone purporting to know something when they don't. That's illogical. That's counter to the scientific method. You being a man of science wouldn't go around misquoting Stephen Hawking or Bertrand Russell but you've reached a "logical" conclusion about Jesus or the bible without weighing any facts. You have not read the evidence in its favor or against it. You haven't gone to the source. You have let others decide this issue for you. This is all I'm getting at when I say read it, cover to cover. Then, at least you'll know what you really disagree with.
Chris, the problem is, the Bible doesn't strike as worthy of deep study. I mean, if I came to you with a crackpot theory about 20ft giant transvestites which live in an alterative reality, which I use to illustrate my belief that transvestites created the Universe - otherwise why would Scotsmen wear dresses? - would you give it serious consideration and spend hours or days of your life reading a 2-3000 page book which sets out the story of Marge Smith - Our Lady With Testicles - The Tranny God made flesh on earth who came to save us from our sins against polar neck sweaters and swade pumps?
That's how I see stories of talking donkeys, 7-headed dragons, son's of gods casting out demons and making semi-decomposed corpses come back to life, Noah putting all the creatures in a boat - including every several million species of insect!!! (Can you imagine? - I hope God gave him some good anti-septic bite cream)
thomp ~ whatever you're drinking, I'll have some too, so share :)
LOL on the antiseptic bute stuff!
Simon:
Great point in regards to religion! Each of these religions claim that their god is the real god. I just reject it all!
I am a 'Bible Believing' Christian. So it seems like you are claiming that I am now easily manipulated by some religious maniac Svengali.
Let's take Fred Phelps, a real extremist. Fred reads the same Bible I do but I consider him to be Christian INO (in name only). This is because I actually study the Bible to the extent that I can easily see when folks like Fred are twisting it for their own sick purposes.
I credit you for being intelligent and witty but you broad brushed portrayal of millions of people of faith strikes exposes you as nothing more than another anti-faith bigot with a chip on his shoulder.
But at least you express your biased worldview with wit and style which is more than I can say for others.
But every Christian I hear from has a totally different idea of what their god is or what the Bible actually says. And virtually every one says they have real insight into what it actually means.
I don't want to generalise, but you are all a complete bunch of self-righteous twats. And I mean that in the holiest possible sense.
:glowering:
:tapping foot:
Grrr!
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