Religion and Philosophy

[gareth19 (imported)]

As the philosopher David Hume observed of the Kantian revolution in philosophy, "There is nothing to know, and no mind to know it." So that is pretty much the end of philosophy.

Martin Luther opined that every man could be his own priest (and this has evolved so that everyone is his very own personal Ted Haggard), and that has pretty much put an end to religion.

So what is there to talk about?

[Arab Nights (imported)]

Ugly day to start the thread considering that Right-Wing Gunmen shot down a doctor in Church this morning.

Was he pro-life?

[eunuch2001 (imported)]

Ask yourself one question. "What good can come from it?". People rarely change political, philosophical or religious beliefs. So what will happen is there will always be hard feelings. My feelings, based on past experience as both a participant and moderator of online forums, tells me that nothing good can come from this. Nothing will be gained, but the friendships of many can and will be harmed by religious discussion.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth, I agree with you. I used to enjoy discussing politics/religion/philosophy but have damaged a fair number of friendships, and relationships with work colleagues.

I don't want to force my beliefs and opinions on others, I just want to genuinely explore other peoples ideas and offer my own in exchange. Sadly, this once got me into serious trouble at work when I (Christian) had a friendly religious conversation with a colleague (Muslim) one lunchtime. We did fine for a half-hour, then he started ranting about the west having a secret crusade against Islam and how there would be a jihad that would wipe out the west. I thought that was the end of the discussion, but no, he made a formal complaint to senior management that I'd made racist remarks against him, which caused me a lot of hassle. I sense I'm about to fall out with a guy on another chat-site as a result of our discussing Nietzsche's philosophy, which is sad because we'd become very friendly.

I've made a few friends on this site, and there are many many more whose contributions I value. I'm not willing to jeapordize this situation by inadvertently upsetting people I respect when discussing our deeply held beliefs.

If there becomes a religous space in the dark cellar I'll try to avoid it.

[jean1443 (imported)]

It 's interesting subject but philosophy begin where believe finish and religion is finished where reason give solution. so if you believe you don't know and if you get a clear idea of word jou don't need to believe but you may beleave and sex and by orgasm get illumination.

[gordon..j (imported)]

Man is creations masterpiece;but who says so?-Man

I suppose, you could say that if god and religion had not existed,then man would have eventually invented them.These two have caused more than their share of trouble over time.Moreover,should race and politicts appear ,thats worse.For example,politicians learned to use religious elements,like,sacrifice and austerity,and of course morality.This is plain to hear in their speeches(as soon as they are given power)which preaches sacrifice for the good of the state: i.e.fuel bills must go up or we face globall warming,taxis must go up,for, this or that reason.And hell! its us, the wealth producers, that pay the price! The politician and the preacher are saying the same message,SACRIFICE!! As for religion,well,all religions are saying the same thing,but instead of sacrifice for society,it's gods or institutions like churches.The bible is full of altruism,altruism has its ancient roots back to greek philosophy:read your,Plato.He invented sacrifice,preached it,and all his written work is around it.Go forward 2000 years,and jesus is practicing it on the cross,we are told this to save our souls.Today, we have,Martyer's of all kinds, in vogue(many political). The poor are the only consistent altruists;they sell all they have to the rich.i.e. their labour and---- taxis.

[Free to be ME (imported)]

Was he pro-life?

Well I can shed some light on this event.

I for some reason am out here in witchita and about 6 miles from the church where this murder took place.

First you must understand that Kansas is 30 years or so out of touch with social changes. There are signs everywhere demanding you to bow down to thier version of Christianity zero tolerence for that which is different. Which is why my sweetie fled this oppresive state. The schools still try and force creationism under the guise of "Intelligent design" as the only way life came about. Rev. Fredd Phillips (the guy who says that god is happy US soliders are getting killed and that GOD celebrates when a glbt person is murdered.) is a hero in the minds of many here.

Dr. George Tiller was the advocate for womens rights to birth control and saved many a soul from a back alley abortion. He also delivered thosands of Babies in his life. He opened one of Kansas's first womens health out reach centers when women were treated as second class folk here.

He had had several attempts on his life from bombs to shootings was driven in an armoured car everywhere. Most of the time he had a kevlar vest on guess the other day he didin't.

The guy who shot him had had prior arrests on charges of trying to bomb a hospital and other charges. He felt that only the bible was the book to use to run goverment health care and everything else. By accounts of neighbors he wqas very adiment in the belief that Md's who had even the slightest thing to do with womens reproductive health and rights should die. He passed out flyers calling for people to burn down clinics and Md's homes and kill them. The most chilling was one that said it would be easy at church ti bring a gun and kill them as the falsely praised God. That would be divine act in gods eye.

Folks to be quite honest Kansas today makes NY City of the 70's look like disney land. A few months ago there was a murder at a drive through because the person took to long ordering his food. Unfortunatly I am here for a bit in the land of intolerence.

[kristoff]

For what it is worth, there will not be a forum on religion and philosophy.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

First you must understand that Kansas is 30 years or so out of touch with social changes.

My one-liner was twisted humor as in pro-lifers killing people.

The contradictions in a society always humor me. My parents live in a state touching (perhaps inappropriately) the great state of Kansas. While on the annual Christmas visit, wife and I for grins took a break from Christmas cookies and wrapping gifts and went down to the local porn shop. I had happened to tell her about a story in Nugget from 20 years ago about Tom and Peggy from Florida. According to the story, Peggy had castrated Tom with her sister's help and they were proposing formation of the Ladies Castration Society (which perhaps has only found root in central Texas) for promotion of that loving operation. Nugget is banned in my parent's state.

We do the Christmas trek by auto. One route is on the interstate thru Kansas City. In the great state of Kansas there is this porn shop besides the interstate. We stopped and, lo and behold, they sell Nugget in Kansas.

[Taylor (imported)]

Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box

Religion is the smile on a dog

Ok, nobody else said it and I couldn't resist.

Normally I love discussing philosophy and religion but my passion for them just hasn't been around the last couple of months. It seems like both are mental masturbation; you might feel good but it isn't the real thing.

[kristoff]

I am listening to Bernstein's "Mass," at the moment. I love the irony of a Jew writing a Mass in honor of a dead president. Never mind the various double entendres all over it....