Wendy,
You really just sound like a guy who couldn't convince someone to change their views. Now you need to convince yourself and others it is our gullibility that we continue with our thoughts. Actually what it is, is we have different opinions.
I don't bother to convince anyone. I have posted my arguments, and particularly larc and rem has gone to great lengths explaning these issues, being much more patient than I am. Intelligent people have no problems seeing what arguments have merit. Further than that, I have little interest. I want information on critical thinking to be available to those who search for something to challenge their thinking skills and imagination.
You expressed in one message how proud you are that you haven't read any of those horrible science books, haven't learned anything and remain in blissful ignorance about how the world works. Well, fine for you, I guess, but thankfully for all of us there are people around who are actually a bit more curious about the world than you are, and try to learn more than what you get through cable television and tabloids.
You keep repeating that we have different "opinions" as if any opinion is as valid as any other. Well, that is truly dandy and tolerant and very post-modern, but it's also total hogwash. Those who use critical, rational methods of enquiry and carefully verifies their findings have an informed opinion. It stands up to test.
Yours isn't, which anyone can easily see by reading what you write on that subject.
Those who build airplanes based on scientific ideas are actually able to make them fly. Those who use new age ideas about shakras and vibrations or higher dimensions or whatever you call it this week, they don't fly, except in their own heads.
As for those "reincarnation" threads, they are just a sad commentary on how militant ignorance works. I'm sure you're a nice and beautiful person and all that, and I have nothing against you, but I cannot but be personally saddened when people go through life allowing their thinking skills to remain in coma. But to each his own, I guess.
- Jan
--
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen"
-- Albert Einstein