To: average joe who wrote (95987 ) 10/28/2012 11:41:44 AM From: Robin Plunder 1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) | Respond to It is interesting that one can make some parallels between religion and philosophy, eg, the principle that life is the most fundamental value, and our other virtues and values are chosen with this standard in mind:narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life , and few there be that find it.” This doctrine that what matters is one’s consciousness, because your own concept is what you see, Jesus calls the Way of Life , and he says that all other doctrines are but a broad road to destruction or disappointment.” Ye shall know them by their fruits . Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Yet, just this is the fundamental test for truth – does it work? – because Truth always works. The Truth always heals. A true story always turns out to be consistent when thoroughly sifted, while the most plausible lie will break down somewhere if sufficiently investigated. Truth heals the body, purifies the soul, reforms the sinner, solves difficulties, pacifies strife.” he has no inbuilt goal or standard of value ; he follows no automatic course of action. In particular, he does not automatically value or pursue self-preservation . The evidence for this fact is overwhelming; it includes not only deliberate suicides, but also people’s frequent hostility to the most elementary life-sustaining practices. As examples, one may consider the Middle Ages, or the more mystical countries of the Near and Far East, or even the leaders of the modern West. For a human being, the desire to live and the knowledge of what life requires are an achievement, not a biological gift.”
