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Politics : Should God be replaced? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cosmicforce who wrote (5227)	12/19/2000 11:57:48 PM
From: epicure	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 28931

Very young children seem to think that everyone, and everything is part of them. Growing up is a process of becoming smaller. After all in a womb, a child is the universe. What else is there? Only self. But from birth on, an individual has to add and keep adding to the "not me" column. I am sure this is traumatic, to some extent- after all it must be pretty satisfying to the ego to think it is alone and supreme. But there is a transformation in learning about others, and later learning about the needs of others. First we separate from others, later we learn to empathize. It would be too big a leap to do both those things at once. I think with empathy and reason, one can evolve a very moral life. I think life is a progression from the me, to the not me, and then- with wisdom, and empathy, back to the me. Because really, when you consider how related everything is, or at least everything that concerns YOU- and that's everything - it all is you. I am NOT on drugs. It just sounds that way tonight. Too many sugar cookies perhaps?

To: cosmicforce who wrote (5227)	12/20/2000 12:04:22 AM
From: Mitch Blevins	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 28931

>>Why do you believe this precipitates a rejection of spirituality and moral principles? Those, I believe, come from a cognitive understanding of enlightened self-interest. Morality AND spirituality is a logical choice and, IMO, can be based upon empirical observations (principle 3 and 4).<< I agree with you that morality and spirituality can be a logical choice based on empirical observations. But you should note that logic and empirical observations are not limited to those with a strong sense of individualism. In Oklahoma, you can often go see tribal folk dances, where young Native Americans act out the traditional religious dances of their tribes. Often these youngsters have simply learned the mechanics of a particular dance, without knowing anything about what the dance means. They are just "going through the motions". I do believe that you can behave morally based on logic and enlightened self-interest, just as you can behave morally based on following the tenets of <insert_holy_book_here>. However, you are just "going through the motions" unless the behavior is natural. I've found that (for me, at least) it is only natural when in a state of mind that does not make the self/non-self distinction. Others may have other ways, of course...