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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jlallen who wrote (39077)	11/27/2001 4:45:52 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Religion is also "inherent" in the sense we (most of us) are trained religiously by our families to have similar beliefs. I recognize that religion has certain hybrid characteristics because we are born into in a religious tradition. I also recognize that religion is not solely about ideas. It has elements of the supernatural and a lot of emotion. But it is is also philosophy and sociology, which are ideas. I don't know many people who, as adults, practice the same religion into which they were born. Lots of ex-Catholics on these boards. And look at Neo. He's been all over the map before settling into a belief system that fits him. It would be interesting to see statistics on how many retain their religious traditions. Discussing religion is a big part of the process of figuring out who we are and what we believe in. To do that we have to be able to discuss religion dispassionately, intellectually, abstractly. Discussing religion is part of the process of learning how to think, to be able to entertain alien and contradictory ideas, to listen actively, to put things into context. And, if for no other reason, we need to study comparative religious traditions if we are to understand international conflicts and ward off terrorists attacks. We can't not discuss it because some people have trouble differentiating between abstract discussions and personal attacks. That's part of the learning process, too. We have laws which protect us from discrimination based upon race, ethnicity and religion We also have laws to protect us from discrimination based on gender, disability, and sexual orientation. That doesn't keep us from discussing them. Karen

To: jlallen who wrote (39077)	11/27/2001 5:08:31 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

I don't believe in ridiculing the faith of either those who believe or those who don't. With regard my my alleged ridicule of anyone on this thread with the use of the phrase, imaginary friend... Quite a long time ago, early in my discussions about religion with Greg, I was trying to sort out what was hurtful to say and what wasn't. I thought he'd be a good barometer since he's the most overtly religious person to post on this thread. I expressed my point of view to him as candidly but tactfully as I could and I looked for feedback from him. He said on numerous occasions that he had no problem with anything I said. I figured if "invisible friend" didn't bother him, the phrase was OK to use. Just a few days ago I posted this to Neo: One can be decided that a personal deity is ridiculous but undecided about other deity models. I know that because I fall into that category. Nonetheless, I don't care to participate in ridicule. I may throw in an amicable tweak here and there, but I don't subscribe to ridicule, although I did at one time. It's so un-magnanimous <g> and un-constructive. Should you see me saying anything you'd consider ridicule, I'd appreciate your providing me with some constructive criticism. To which Neo responded: You have a good point. I guess I would say someone admitting the possibility of a higher power would be sympathetic to the common human propensity to relate to such a power, which tends to conceive of it as a Thou, and therefore be limited in any teasing about ordinary piety...... Notice that Neo did not give me any "constructive criticism." In fact, he used the word, teasing, in his reply. So, Mr. Prosecutor, with the acceptance of both Greg and Neo, our resident religious barometers, I had good reason to believe that I was on solid ground in the ridicule department. It's hard to understand, if I don't bother them, why I might offend those of, shall we say, less religious commitment. Karen