void()
Jan 25, 2008, 3:14 AM
First, let me open a circle here for everyone. There we go. Now, in this circle understand there is freedom of expression. This circle however eats folks who get unruly, disrespectful of others. I can not alter the circle, nor can any of us entering it. We all live here together, for better or worse.
What I strive to do is make the best of the situation at hand. Presently, I seek to clarify a bit on my beliefs, or lack of beliefs as may be perceived. This is being presented as a gesture with the intention of gratitude and compassion. I do not seek to convert anyone or sell anything.
I want to address the major religions believing in gods, or God as the case may be. Within lots of journeys unto the internet I've read numerous arguments for and against gods, and goddesses. One of my favorites and sort of a litmus test for personal application is the Invisible Purple Unicorn argument.
Here it is in a simplified form.
I believe in invisible purple unicorns. You can not disprove their existence to me.
And then another party attempts to disprove. Simple logic can ask, "if they're invisible, how do you know they're purple?"
Simple logic can reply back, "they're only invisible to infidels."
What the logic stumbles over if it indeed dares to address it all is the statement of absolute opinion. "It's my opinion that x equals y, can you prove otherwise?" Of course, you can not disprove opinion, that is a fallacious argument. Each of us may see things differently.
Further reading off the internet led me to Carlos Castanada. Yes, he wrote works of fiction, but it was through fiction I think he reveals a great Truth.
The protagonist or hero of the story is Carlos. He learns about sorcery or loving the earth from a sage named Don Juan. Don tells him that we all share a common world, where so much is agreed on. We agree on gravity holding us to the Earth. Yet, Don also slyly mentions there are even other worlds here on our Earth. He illustrates this by asking Carlos who he is and what he does.
Carlos says he's a reporter or researcher of anthropology. Don laughs. "But, what are you to your mother?" Carlos answers he's her son. Don smiles, "then Carlos you are not a reporter but a son. You tell people you are this or that, but you aren't either one are you? You lie bad. Decide which is your world."
Now, we'll leave Castanada. Anyone desiring to read him may. I was illustrating that we each create our own worlds. In these worlds our sight grants us visions we each desire. Lots of difficulty arises in matching our visions against our shared world. Fortunately, we're all from the same family, human.
With different visions, we need different methods to explain our different lives. Some turn to gods. Alright, you may now grasp the "oh shit" handle.
I do not turn to gods or a God. Nor do I posit being Atheist. Though, I do think organized religion needs to banish itself from our shared world. That is my opinion. You possibly share a similar opinion, or not. Do not be offended if i care not one iota either way.
Now, to my belief. I believe that we each need to understand our dreams can indeed be realities. This requires persistence and hope, a dash of imagination. Oddly, I still retain hope despite all the blood and death wrought in the name of any god, human beings as gods included. There I'll offend Buddhists as well. I may now enjoy a Heathen's spiritual nirvana in peace.
There you are, for what it may or may not be worth, my belief expressed clear. The circle now tells me to pass the talking stick to the next poster. And I am not here to be disrespectful, or to 'bash' anyone. You can even speak out against the inhuman treatment lavished on toasters, s'all good as long you don't hit someone else with a sledge hammer. You do that, the circle eats you.
And about that circle, I'm not within it. Figured though most would comprehend the sanctuary offered. It's called creating a common ground and making use of it to communicate. We'll see how it goes, I may do it again.
Oh, well here you are next poster. Have this talking stick before I bludgeon an eye. Ben sits singing lowly, "thumb in my eye, thumb in my eye but I don't cry!" He then goes quieter still and listens to others.
What I strive to do is make the best of the situation at hand. Presently, I seek to clarify a bit on my beliefs, or lack of beliefs as may be perceived. This is being presented as a gesture with the intention of gratitude and compassion. I do not seek to convert anyone or sell anything.
I want to address the major religions believing in gods, or God as the case may be. Within lots of journeys unto the internet I've read numerous arguments for and against gods, and goddesses. One of my favorites and sort of a litmus test for personal application is the Invisible Purple Unicorn argument.
Here it is in a simplified form.
I believe in invisible purple unicorns. You can not disprove their existence to me.
And then another party attempts to disprove. Simple logic can ask, "if they're invisible, how do you know they're purple?"
Simple logic can reply back, "they're only invisible to infidels."
What the logic stumbles over if it indeed dares to address it all is the statement of absolute opinion. "It's my opinion that x equals y, can you prove otherwise?" Of course, you can not disprove opinion, that is a fallacious argument. Each of us may see things differently.
Further reading off the internet led me to Carlos Castanada. Yes, he wrote works of fiction, but it was through fiction I think he reveals a great Truth.
The protagonist or hero of the story is Carlos. He learns about sorcery or loving the earth from a sage named Don Juan. Don tells him that we all share a common world, where so much is agreed on. We agree on gravity holding us to the Earth. Yet, Don also slyly mentions there are even other worlds here on our Earth. He illustrates this by asking Carlos who he is and what he does.
Carlos says he's a reporter or researcher of anthropology. Don laughs. "But, what are you to your mother?" Carlos answers he's her son. Don smiles, "then Carlos you are not a reporter but a son. You tell people you are this or that, but you aren't either one are you? You lie bad. Decide which is your world."
Now, we'll leave Castanada. Anyone desiring to read him may. I was illustrating that we each create our own worlds. In these worlds our sight grants us visions we each desire. Lots of difficulty arises in matching our visions against our shared world. Fortunately, we're all from the same family, human.
With different visions, we need different methods to explain our different lives. Some turn to gods. Alright, you may now grasp the "oh shit" handle.
I do not turn to gods or a God. Nor do I posit being Atheist. Though, I do think organized religion needs to banish itself from our shared world. That is my opinion. You possibly share a similar opinion, or not. Do not be offended if i care not one iota either way.
Now, to my belief. I believe that we each need to understand our dreams can indeed be realities. This requires persistence and hope, a dash of imagination. Oddly, I still retain hope despite all the blood and death wrought in the name of any god, human beings as gods included. There I'll offend Buddhists as well. I may now enjoy a Heathen's spiritual nirvana in peace.
There you are, for what it may or may not be worth, my belief expressed clear. The circle now tells me to pass the talking stick to the next poster. And I am not here to be disrespectful, or to 'bash' anyone. You can even speak out against the inhuman treatment lavished on toasters, s'all good as long you don't hit someone else with a sledge hammer. You do that, the circle eats you.
And about that circle, I'm not within it. Figured though most would comprehend the sanctuary offered. It's called creating a common ground and making use of it to communicate. We'll see how it goes, I may do it again.
Oh, well here you are next poster. Have this talking stick before I bludgeon an eye. Ben sits singing lowly, "thumb in my eye, thumb in my eye but I don't cry!" He then goes quieter still and listens to others.