Wisdom for All

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
Post Reply
_Kishkumen
_Emeritus
Posts: 21373
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:00 pm

Wisdom for All

Post by _Kishkumen »

Chris Stedman wrote:Ralph Waldo Emerson, a forefather of modern Humanism, is often said to have written these lines: “That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives and character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming.”

Although some atheists — myself included — may cringe at the “w” word, Emerson reminds us to be wary of casting our neighbors in a negative light. Negative fixations will color our worldview. It’s not always easy, but we must endeavor to live up to our best principles — just as we hope the religious will.


http://www.salon.com/2012/10/21/toxic_atheism_drives_people_apart/
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
_Racer
_Emeritus
Posts: 570
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:47 am

Re: Wisdom for All

Post by _Racer »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_God_Go

Above is a synopsis of a great Southpark episode that reminds me of Kish's article and great point above. In the episode we find that organized religion is dead, science won, and atheism is the common belief. All is well right? Wrong. There is a bloody war between 2 factions UAL (unified atheist league) and the AAA (allied atheist alliance).

As always, its hilarious entertainment and a stinging social commentary.
Tapirs... Yeah... That's the ticket!
_son of Ishmael
_Emeritus
Posts: 1690
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 1:46 am

Re: Wisdom for All

Post by _son of Ishmael »

Racer wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_God_Go

Above is a synopsis of a great Southpark episode that reminds me of Kish's article and great point above. In the episode we find that organized religion is dead, science won, and atheism is the common belief. All is well right? Wrong. There is a bloody war between 2 factions UAL (unified atheist league) and the AAA (allied atheist alliance).

As always, its hilarious entertainment and a stinging social commentary.



I need to NETFLIX that one tonight. I do agree with the basic idea that if there were no religions at all we would still be killing each other. Most wars are really fought over access to resources. You have stuff I want. God just told me that you shouldn't have that stuff becuase you don't worshop him the way that I do. He said it was my duty to take your stuff from you.

ETA: The real purpose for religion in war is to convince people that if they go to war and die, they will go to heaven.
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. - Galileo

Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man. - The Dude

Don't you know there ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk - Tom Waits
_moksha
_Emeritus
Posts: 22508
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:42 pm

Re: Wisdom for All

Post by _moksha »

Kishkumen wrote:
Chris Stedman wrote:Ralph Waldo Emerson, a forefather of modern Humanism, is often said to have written these lines: “That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives and character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming.”



Seems that choosing what to believe is the answer, rather than choosing not to believe at all.

Through prayer we struggle to experience the Presence of God. Let us be sure that the One we invoke is the Most High, not a god of battles, or state or status or “success” — but the Source of peace and mercy and goodness. For, truly the Gods we worship write their names on our faces; be sure of that. A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
_Kishkumen
_Emeritus
Posts: 21373
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:00 pm

Re: Wisdom for All

Post by _Kishkumen »

Racer wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_God_Go

Above is a synopsis of a great Southpark episode that reminds me of Kish's article and great point above. In the episode we find that organized religion is dead, science won, and atheism is the common belief. All is well right? Wrong. There is a bloody war between 2 factions UAL (unified atheist league) and the AAA (allied atheist alliance).

As always, its hilarious entertainment and a stinging social commentary.


That was pretty funny. The idea is a conclusion I reached a while ago, probably from my experience as a professor. Smart people develop the strangest prejudices, and they take them all too seriously.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
_Harold Lee
_Emeritus
Posts: 566
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:36 pm

Re: Wisdom for All

Post by _Harold Lee »

That episode is hilarious. "Science damn you!"

You can find the commentary on youtube as well, they wrote that episode as a response to mock their friend William Penn for being devastated they weren't atheist (they're still good buddies). Penn asserted the world would have peace without religion, and the episode does a pretty good job placing the fault on human nature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... FYTc55nGEI

"I prefer a man who can swear a stream as long as my arm but deals justly with his brethren to the long, smooth-faced hypocrite." -Joseph Smith
_Kishkumen
_Emeritus
Posts: 21373
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:00 pm

Re: Wisdom for All

Post by _Kishkumen »

Harold Lee wrote:Penn asserted the world would have peace without religion, and the episode does a pretty good job placing the fault on human nature.


Penn is a smart idiot on this issue.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
Post Reply