From Fundementalist to Humanist (page 3)

jgnat

I don't buy lottery tickets. Why pay for dreams? I can make my own dreams come true.

Narkissos

There just seems an essential difference between "mind candy" we all enjoy, such as a moving novel or rousing movie, and attending and presiding in a church in which most everyone else is invested in the fantasy as real. It appears disingenuous at worst, schizophrenic at best.

I get your point, PP.

Perhaps there is more to it than "fiction" indeed. And perhaps there is more to fiction than fiction too. A fictional novel or movie can affect you very deeply.

Religion and life, I guess, are way too important to be taken seriously. The best way to spoil them is to struggle for consistency when, or where, there can be none.

(The Importance of Being Earnest...)

When I began diverging from the WT I felt I was walking on a very narrow crest path between two abysses, one I called "hypocrisy" and the other "apostasy". This representation helped me back then. But now I think you can't really avoid either of them in the long run. There is a time for relating to others (which always implies some role-playing and misunderstanding) and there is a time to break and leave (which always implies some hurt, violence and even betrayal). What remains is an ambiguous trace in memories, including yours. A sign with many possible meanings between which even you cannot decide.

Sometimes I wish I had been a better actor, but that's pointless. At least I respect actors and I enjoy the show.

Midget-Sasquatch

Terry,

I understand what you're saying. Its like you're stressing the importance of basing our choices for how to live on this planet together, on info gotten from current well researched documentaries. But you're dismayed to see alot of people taking their cues and such from Fox Television. I guess the trick is to know when a smidgeon of the Foxumentaries apply to reality.

I enjoy a bit of both. Some narratives are simply impelling because of the characters and themes that are presented, whether they're "based on a true story" or completely made up. While I've always had a hard time believing alot of whats said in the Bible, or at a RC mass, or especially at the KH, there were times when I was moved by what was said in each of those three. Almost always it was something to do with our very nature.

I'm not going to follow some of the Bible's medical advice, but there's alot on vengeance and loyalty, and hope and empathy. You know where I'm going. Stories are an excellent millieu for considering the human condition. Ask any fundie why they go to a KH or church, you'll probably get alot of stuff about it being divine commands and the rewards for doing so. Yeah thats kind of a turn off for me too. But ask non-fundies why they go to a church, and I think alot will talk about bettering themselves. I can sit together with people like that. Until its almost time for some of my favourite television programs anyway.

DanTheMan

I dunno, in the Acts of the Apostates piece this guy waxes poetic about soaking in the stained glass. The stained-glass of course being a hallmark of old-school liturgical type churches, where the congregants generally adhere to the liberal theological outlook he describes as "wearisome" in its self-righteousness in the From Fundamentalist to Humanist piece.

He's almost as confused as I am...lol

Terry

I understand what you're saying. Its like you're stressing the importance of basing our choices for how to live on this planet together, on info gotten from current well researched documentaries. But you're dismayed to see alot of people taking their cues and such from Fox Television. I guess the trick is to know when a smidgeon of the Foxumentaries apply to reality.

I'd be very interested in hearing your take on the Fox Network.

In your opinion, how close does it come to "fair and balanced" as compared with ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN?

T.

tetrapod.sapien

if any of them were fair and balanced, they'd be giving as much air time to sudan and they are katrina.

then again, it's the american people who are not fair and balanced as the networks simply cater to them and what they want.

TS

ChrisVance

The first definition of humanism in Encarta is:

belief in human-based morality: a system of thought that is based on the values, characteristics, and behavior that are believed to be best in human beings, rather than on any supernatural authority.

I'm an atheist, but I don't see how anyone could believe in Human beings when you consider how many republicans there are.

Shining One

Tetly,
You are just another Canadian suffering from an inferiority complex. You typically spew hate towards all things American.....
Rex

Midget-Sasquatch

Terry,

Sorry to disappoint you but, I watch FOX mostly for entertainment and less so for news. The same goes for the rest of the US networks because I'm Canadian. Over here I mostly watch GLOBAL and the CBC for my news.

Now and again, I've watched FOX's Tony Snow, as well as Chris Wallace. To me, they have a conservative bias but not as hyped up as its made out to be. Note: I'm seeing this through the eyes of a Canadian Liberal. I found their interviewing to be competent and fair, and a decent attempt at looking at the news/issues from more than one side. But then alot of the regular panelists are definitely pro-conservative. I've even heard that several journalists resigned from the network complaining about attempts at filtering some stories.

DanTheMan

Once again, Shining One, I beg you to answer me...

WHY do you worry about us "hateful" hell-bound non-believers. We're going to get it in the end, right?

From Fundementalist to Humanist

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