Religion and Politics my views
Religion and politics are two hot issues that make great topics for debate in the media. I have watched in amusement the debate everyday in our papers and our mainstream TV media over the past few weeks, on the asinine views of some legislative disclaimers on science texts.
Institutions of Higher learning are the place to air such views. Those of us who are doctrinaire or encumbered by dogma will take up a strong position on these issues because of their surroundings and nothing else.
It is a lot of fun, because everyone holding these position are convinced that their view is the only correct view, and the only view that matters, and that others who don't accept that are doomed to a not so salubrious afterlife! The hysteria of some of them amazes me.
I see heated views from all sorts of theistic faiths being aired these days. All these recent frenetic Christian views on condemning us non-Christians or agnostics to hell, (what is the zip code for hell anyways?), and similarly virulently anti-Christian arguments such as the one by a Professor Ismael , blaming Christians for all the world's atrocities are indeed food for thought, but they should all be viewed with a pinch of salt.
They are indeed eye openers but that does not make all of it factual. We need to filter fact from faith and that skillful ability comes with worldly experience, intellectual maturity, and a willingness to open our eyes and not be too judgmental. It does not emanate from the bully pulpit nor by paying obeisance five times a day to Deities turning in one direction or ringing bells or smearing ash on a forehead.
Expression of "offensive" views (Christian or Islam or any other faith) have every right to fair "air time" as non-offensive views.
I do not find religious views offensive no matter how extreme the threat of sending me to the hot place down under if I did not accept a certain way, though columnists think so occasionally.
I am convinced that the world is full of good and bad people of all organized faiths(and non-organized faiths too), and beliefs and that all of them are correct relative to their ideologies, and cultures and religions and that no matter how much anyone proclaims and insists that their way is the correct way, in the final analysis, it does not matter except for those venting their fury and want to drive fear into others. It is an avenue of expression that needs to be encouraged and not stifled.
It is heated, and I like the fact that you allow freedom of expression no matter how offensive or controversial a view is. Keep it up. Remember what Voltaire said. "I may not agree with what you say, but I defend to my death your right to say it".
My life philosophy is based on the following verse that I read everyday to enlighten myself. Let me share it with you but you do not have to accept it, (it is strictly a personal view), and you are not going to hell if you do not accept this verse either!
Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis when you find that anything agrees with reasonand is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all then accept it and live up to it. -Buddha
Institutions of Higher learning are the place to air such views. Those of us who are doctrinaire or encumbered by dogma will take up a strong position on these issues because of their surroundings and nothing else.
It is a lot of fun, because everyone holding these position are convinced that their view is the only correct view, and the only view that matters, and that others who don't accept that are doomed to a not so salubrious afterlife! The hysteria of some of them amazes me.
I see heated views from all sorts of theistic faiths being aired these days. All these recent frenetic Christian views on condemning us non-Christians or agnostics to hell, (what is the zip code for hell anyways?), and similarly virulently anti-Christian arguments such as the one by a Professor Ismael , blaming Christians for all the world's atrocities are indeed food for thought, but they should all be viewed with a pinch of salt.
They are indeed eye openers but that does not make all of it factual. We need to filter fact from faith and that skillful ability comes with worldly experience, intellectual maturity, and a willingness to open our eyes and not be too judgmental. It does not emanate from the bully pulpit nor by paying obeisance five times a day to Deities turning in one direction or ringing bells or smearing ash on a forehead.
Expression of "offensive" views (Christian or Islam or any other faith) have every right to fair "air time" as non-offensive views.
I do not find religious views offensive no matter how extreme the threat of sending me to the hot place down under if I did not accept a certain way, though columnists think so occasionally.
I am convinced that the world is full of good and bad people of all organized faiths(and non-organized faiths too), and beliefs and that all of them are correct relative to their ideologies, and cultures and religions and that no matter how much anyone proclaims and insists that their way is the correct way, in the final analysis, it does not matter except for those venting their fury and want to drive fear into others. It is an avenue of expression that needs to be encouraged and not stifled.
It is heated, and I like the fact that you allow freedom of expression no matter how offensive or controversial a view is. Keep it up. Remember what Voltaire said. "I may not agree with what you say, but I defend to my death your right to say it".
My life philosophy is based on the following verse that I read everyday to enlighten myself. Let me share it with you but you do not have to accept it, (it is strictly a personal view), and you are not going to hell if you do not accept this verse either!
Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis when you find that anything agrees with reasonand is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all then accept it and live up to it. -Buddha
posted by Macaca American at 8:22 PM
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