From: QueeneMUSE@aol.com
Date: Fri Jan 21 2000 - 10:01:08 MST
In a message dated 1/20/2000 11:13:05 PM Pacific Standard Time,
Edd111@aol.com writes:
<<
Clint, I would bet that you'd have one hell of a time being as logically
detached as you appear to be, if you had the gut-wrenching episode of
watching a person you love, die a slow, very painful death. Except for
one's
own thoughts near their own death, holding the hand of someone who has just
passed away make you start wondering about the question of a soul, and that
the 'dearly departed' may still, hopefully in some form, be perhaps alive
and
well. Including in our thoughts the possibility of a soul, substantially
mitigates the tremendous emotional and psychic pain we 'mere humans' have
after the death of a close friend, relative, or child.
>><
Clint, we are not unemotional robots, where every facet of our day-by-day
existence must or even should be based on logical constructs. Being an
analytical computer 'in the flesh' makes for a better computational
scientist
or mathematician, not necessarily a better human. In the same venue,
whether
one is an atheist, or a theist, or whether we are or are not merely a
'complex arrangement of physical properties and their effects' is probably
the
least important thing in the world. But, how we relate to others, family or
friends, on an emotional level, is perhaps one of the most important
behaviors we can have.>>
It's very interesting to me that this very key closing phrase of this letter
was completely ignored. I appreciate your sensitivity.
There is a process that allows people to get a kind of wisdom. You cannot
convince people of it. I will repeat that:
There is a process that allows people to get a kind of wisdom. You cannot
convince people of it.
I noted a tendency in some athiests (heheh) , to jump to conclusions and
respond angrily and judgementally. I compared this to the pious.
I was raised by an atheist and an agnostic so I never had to "overthrow" a
religious system, I have never believed in God. perhaps that is why I need
not decry my positions, or be vehement. Certain religions are incredibly
destructive. Those who come from severely restrictive oppressive religious
cultures can be excused for having more animosity towards it... maybe it's
neccessary to overcome that early programming.
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