Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: haqihana who wrote (37674)	6/12/2004 10:46:15 AM
From: rrufff	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 39621

I'm sure our haters will bash me for this, but I seem to find my beliefs almost exactly as you post. That was a particularly good one. There is a prayer, not sure if it is Old Testament or New Testament based that says something like, "Give me the strength to act as if everything depends on me. Give me the strength to pray as if everything depends on G-d." Being kind and accepting of one's fellow man, not seeking scapegoats for perceived ills and real insecurities and failings, to me, is the "act" that really counts, not how or how many times one says a prayer or in which direction one genuflects. That's not to be critical of "holy rollers." I respect every one's religion and by respect, I mean, I commend them for following their beliefs. That changes to derision and scorn when I see religious beliefs that motivate hatred for others that do not conform to those beliefs and which seek to paint others as "evil," because of their religious thinking, as opposed to their inner hatred. Every religion has their extremists. What's funny is that the extremists in each tend to have beliefs that mimic the extremists in other religions. Yet, they profess hatred for those other extremists. Even their dress, diet regulations and style of praying is similar. They also profess hatred for those who are not as extreme. How many times have you heard a Christian say, "You are not a real Christian unless you ...." I've heard extremist Orthodox Jews say, "You are not a real Jew unless you are Orthodox." I don't a lot about Islam but from what I see in the news, the extremists are even more hurtful, waging war against other Islamic sects at the drop of a hat. To me, this negativity hurts others and, logically, could not be part of any divine plan. I would prefer someone to say, "I believe as follows. I would invite you to learn why I believe, but I respect your right to believe otherwise and I will not heap scorn upon you for failing to believe as I do. Your beliefs are not responsible for my plight or the economic plight of the nation or the ills of the world." I know it seems pretty simple, but belief in a deity should be simple and not so complex and convoluled that only "geniuses" can do it right.

To: haqihana who wrote (37674)	6/12/2004 12:36:19 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 39621

"Not one form of life on Earth can be absolutely certain of what happened long before history began to be recorded" All people and tribes everywhere have had creation myths and a sense of self importance which may be excused in a prescientific and superstitious people. However, modern man has no excuse for continuing to promote tribal religions which divide people in endless acrimony and worse. The unknown is the unknown. It is fitting to retain some awe and mystery about the vast scope of the universe compared to the infinitesimally small reach and vision of humanity. After all, we occupy an inch of space and a second of time. There is no reason to believe we are any more important to the universe than an ant is to us. Still, as a specific type of organism it is our burden and our opportunity to define what matters, and to shape the universe to our needs and desires through the clear lens of reason. It belittles humanity when we bridle our imagination to conform to the abysmal ignorance of primitive tribes believing in demons and spirits because the only answers they had for anything were imaginary answers. The "God's people" versus all other people paradigm is no longer useful or justified. Nor can humanity survive past infancy if it does not get off its knees. Where was the ant or the maple leaf for those millions of years before any life developed on the earth? Where were you? Where is the ant from yesterday gone to today? As Lucretius says..."No single thing abides". en.wikipedia.org