Replying to this:
Arrrrgggghhh, can you please just speak plain english for me? You have my permission to break things down into simple sentences. My protest was not just about the highlighted paragraph. I wanted to highlight the entire comment, actually, but stopped myself. What I do understand is that you feel that there is something incorrect or unintelligent about belief in mysticism, angels, etc................why does that have to be? Why can't we be intellectual, rational AND hold open the possibility that we can't prove everything by hard scientific data? Why must people like Funky and you and others be so negative about such things as intuition and mysticism, angels, etc? That's all I'm saying.
Terri
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I am so ashamed of myself! I have a bit of a fetish about making myself clear and understood! And I am failing to do so!! My fault. So sorry.
Let me, perhaps ask you a question that might clarify my position and make it easier to understand my previously stated objections.
Should I hold open the possibility that there really is a Santa Claus? I'm am sure you would say "no". And the reason you would say no would stem from your awareness of the reality which refutes the myth. Should we teach children that Santa Claus is an actually-existing person just so we can politely "fool" them into have an experience of mystical joy?
Whatever your reply to that question, my answer is a resounding "NO!"
Some things are true and other things are not true. If we confuse what is true with what is NOT we lose our grasp of reality.
I strongly feel we must protect ourselves from what is NOT true by having a very high standard of what is acceptable. It is like asking "Who will you let in your front door?"
Would you let anybody who knocked on your door into your house because they "might possibley" be nice? Or would you exercise reasonable caution that tests people as to their character and intentions?
That is all I mean when I speak about these things.
I have been badly burned by allowing Jehovah-mythos into my brain and I entertained it as "possibly true" and it took root and stole 20+ years from my life.
I test everything before it is invited into my "possibly true" brain file.
I disavow mystical things because the SOURCE is hidden and cannot be tested.
Think of it this way. I say to a concept that knocks on my brain's door: "HALT! Who goes there? Identify yourself. Show me your credentials. I don't invite them in first.
Did I make that simple enough or am I still bloviating?
Terry