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To: E who wrote (802)	3/2/2002 7:08:15 PM
From: J. C. Dithers	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21057

Eloquent, but bleak. We live on a small planet. If every creature born survived, we would not be having this discussion, as the earth's surface would be piled 50 feet deep with writhing bodies of various species fighting for a last gasp of air or morsel of food. The top 25 feet of the layer would be insects. What was left of "humans" would be rotting carcasses near the bottom. Somehow, that prospect doesn't appeal to me as a better, more humane alternative. (It's not that I mind the humans all that much, but my Goldens would be buried in there too, and they don't deserve such a fate). I think you forget that we have to do some meditation of how we got here, and why we are here. It doesn't make sense to me that it is all the result of a cosmic accident, a random burp (it may to you). Neither does it make sense to me that we are here to enjoy heavenly bliss, a designer paradise. The only thing that makes sense to me is that we are here to experience good and evil, tragedy and triumph, sense and nonsense, light and darkness, compassion and cruelty, and ... on and on. And that that we will be judged as to what we make of ourselves in such an existence. And that there will be more to come after that ..... And I really don't know who or why .... Hey, that's just me. You have to go with what you make of it.

To: E who wrote (802)	3/2/2002 9:32:09 PM
From: thames_sider	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21057

Such a system would be seen as so hideous if instituted by "design" that its designer would have to be acknowledged as a monster of cruelty beyond mere human imagination. Hmmm, imagine someone who would persuade you to grab your only son, carry him to a large stone in a remote field, take his clothes off, tie him face-up to the stone and press a knife to his chest. And then, as you're about to rip the knife through his ribs and shear out his heart, this chap calls out "Hey, just kidding!" Is 'cruel' suitable? That's one unpleasant practical joke, and it's probably just as well this was before the days of PTSD and lawyers. (Not to mention this joker's views on skyscrapers, rape and punishment according to just deserts).