See, I can find something ridiculous, harmful and repulsive. But the reason I do so is because it seeks to force itself on others and deny them the right to their own way.
If I say something is THE way, I am no better than them. I don't care what kind of fruitbattery they want to believe so long as they dont require me to believe it or live within its' tenets.
i fell into a bit of a trap with my statement. Usually, I'd be of the same mind as you in these things, but anger at the actions of religious folk tends to steer me towards making global statements....
So sad and terrible all around. Some of those terrorists were mere children. They were spoon fed hatred from the start of their short, angry lives. *shakeshead*
Just for the record, I am not a fan of organized relidion, but I do not think the Universe is a random happening either. I think there is something larger than us, but we cannot comprehend it in this physical body we travel in.
Someone wiser said it first, but if every single human being followed their own "personal" religion and practiced compassion it would be a much better world indeed.
Offended no, surprised yes. I understand your vehemence though, given the magnitude of the situation.
It's a complex situation and I despair that people are so willing to forget the good and focus their blame so easily.
Hatred is hatred no matter the focus. For them it is hating what is different from them. As a religious person I experience the same sort of hatred from people who do not believe as I do. And quite frankly I see no difference in the two types of hatred, save the target.
What evidence is there that this tragedy has everything to do with religion? These are criminals using religion to commit murder and terrorism. Religion is not the problem; extremists are. Besides weren't Stalin and Hitler both atheists?
The bottom line is that the human species is 'the problem' and we will never learn to live in peace until we genuinely embrace tolerance of each other, each others' beliefs, cultures and ways of life.
More goodwill, less loveless commandeering of people's hurts aimed as hatred ... it is a deep wrong to label these things as religion. That's what the destroyers do. Any 2 or more humans in conflict, due to resentment, envy, inequality, presents a choice. Grabbing the name of a religion fools lots and lots of hurting, angry people. That's one of the choices. The other is to practice the best parts of the heart. The last thing I want to do is stoop to the level of the destroyers and have their mindset. *hug*!
Seconds ziyda's thoughts. Be FOR something not AGAINST something else. Hate can be a dogma like a religion, so can atheism, anything can. Absolutely NO offense intended. *love to you all*
That being said, my thoughts go to Mumbai today and the retaliation that won't get the media attention on the streets of the everyday people trying to make enough money for bread who get caught up in all of this.
The media seemed to be filling in the blanks for what they don't know and content that there is something to report. Oh....don't get me started. I'm thankful that there is a House marathon on today so I don't have to choose between football and news.
It is painful think of what is going on in the world. We all bring our perspectives to it, but none of us really knows much of it. I'd like to hear your stories. At some level, is this the result of oppression? sigh.
My heart joins yours in going to the people of Mumbai...all of them. You've got a big, big heart.
Religion, in and of itself, is but a temporal balm to soothe the fears of men among the implacable forces of nature.
Blaming religion is like blaming the tree from which a cudgel is carved. Is it the tree's fault that its branch was rudely shorn off and turned into an instrument for bullying?
It isn't the object that is to blame, neither the tree nor the club. Every object has many purposes. It's the people who make, use, and wield that object that have the responsibility. Religion in the hands of despots can be likened unto machine guns being held by wolves wearing fleece in the middle of a sheep herd.
If the Somalian pirates turned out to be Druids, I would be appalled. And I'd be sad that the world would judge my practices on the actions of assholes that get better press.
No, but a few years ago, some Wiccans decided to stab some dude with a ritual sword. That was fun. And then there was Columbine - when I was still wearing black and my sunglasses at night.
People love sensation - they can believe the worst about someone else and congratulate themselves on thinking they are better than other people for a short time. But as it is an ego boo that comes from without instead of empowerment from within, it only lasts as long as the next personal drama.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:11 pm (UTC)today.Fixed that for myself.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:13 pm (UTC)Atheism is the way...
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:30 pm (UTC)If I say something is THE way, I am no better than them. I don't care what kind of fruitbattery they want to believe so long as they dont require me to believe it or live within its' tenets.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:33 pm (UTC)i fell into a bit of a trap with my statement. Usually, I'd be of the same mind as you in these things, but anger at the actions of religious folk tends to steer me towards making global statements....
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 12:50 pm (UTC)There is much good done in this world in the name of God too.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 01:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 01:13 pm (UTC)I hope I've not offended...
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 01:29 pm (UTC)Just for the record, I am not a fan of organized relidion, but I do not think the Universe is a random happening either. I think there is something larger than us, but we cannot comprehend it in this physical body we travel in.
Someone wiser said it first, but if every single human being followed their own "personal" religion and practiced compassion it would be a much better world indeed.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 01:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 01:49 pm (UTC)It's a complex situation and I despair that people are so willing to forget the good and focus their blame so easily.
Hatred is hatred no matter the focus. For them it is hating what is different from them. As a religious person I experience the same sort of hatred from people who do not believe as I do. And quite frankly I see no difference in the two types of hatred, save the target.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 02:51 pm (UTC)I'm not one to hate a person, or a people, but sometimes, I do feel hatred for an organisation.
Of course, when that happens, I often lose the ability to voice it clearly with my numerous and usual caveats.
Of course, once the moment of rage has passed, I can get verbose ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 02:51 pm (UTC)I hope they find him safe and sound!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 02:52 pm (UTC)Your last line there... beautiful.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 02:58 pm (UTC)But I despise those who hate and commit hateful acts. And that is man driven not by God.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 03:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 04:10 pm (UTC)what's going on now is a great example why...
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 05:34 pm (UTC)The bottom line is that the human species is 'the problem' and we will never learn to live in peace until we genuinely embrace tolerance of each other, each others' beliefs, cultures and ways of life.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 05:45 pm (UTC)Any 2 or more humans in conflict, due to resentment, envy, inequality, presents a choice.
Grabbing the name of a religion fools lots and lots of hurting, angry people. That's one of the choices.
The other is to practice the best parts of the heart.
The last thing I want to do is stoop to the level of the destroyers and have their mindset.
*hug*!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 06:14 pm (UTC)That being said, my thoughts go to Mumbai today and the retaliation that won't get the media attention on the streets of the everyday people trying to make enough money for bread who get caught up in all of this.
The media seemed to be filling in the blanks for what they don't know and content that there is something to report. Oh....don't get me started. I'm thankful that there is a House marathon on today so I don't have to choose between football and news.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 06:18 pm (UTC)It is painful think of what is going on in the world. We all bring our perspectives to it, but none of us really knows much of it. I'd like to hear your stories. At some level, is this the result of oppression? sigh.
My heart joins yours in going to the people of Mumbai...all of them. You've got a big, big heart.
*snuggles*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 06:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 06:35 pm (UTC)I like it when you *pop* into a friend's post. It reminds me to go over and look at your beautiful pictures. You have an true artist's eye.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 06:46 pm (UTC)Blaming religion is like blaming the tree from which a cudgel is carved. Is it the tree's fault that its branch was rudely shorn off and turned into an instrument for bullying?
It isn't the object that is to blame, neither the tree nor the club. Every object has many purposes. It's the people who make, use, and wield that object that have the responsibility. Religion in the hands of despots can be likened unto machine guns being held by wolves wearing fleece in the middle of a sheep herd.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 07:08 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:26 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:28 pm (UTC)Therefore religious.
:(
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 10:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 11:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-27 11:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-28 11:23 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-28 04:59 pm (UTC)If the Somalian pirates turned out to be Druids, I would be appalled. And I'd be sad that the world would judge my practices on the actions of assholes that get better press.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-28 05:03 pm (UTC)That I know of, at any rate ;P
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-28 05:07 pm (UTC)People love sensation - they can believe the worst about someone else and congratulate themselves on thinking they are better than other people for a short time. But as it is an ego boo that comes from without instead of empowerment from within, it only lasts as long as the next personal drama.
^__^
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-28 07:36 pm (UTC)If people didn't love sensation, newspapers and TV news would go out of busness...