From: nanowave (nanowave@shaw.ca)
Date: Wed Sep 25 2002 - 15:19:57 MDT
Hi Samantha,
You wrote:
>Why is it more ok to denigratingly explain away
>religion/sprituality/mysticism than it is ok to denigrate a
>race?
I'm replying to this since it *seems* somewhat inspired by my previous post.
For the sake of argument, let's presume I was explaining away r/s/m (I don't
parse the aphorism "explain away" very well, but I'll deal with that
secondly). The reason it would be perfectly ok to denigrate r/s/m and NOT
someone's race is that r,s,and m are simply ideas, or collections of ideas
(memes), while a race is collection of people. I personally subscribe to the
notion that the ability to criticize ideas is synonymous with free speech.
As to 'explaining something away.' Do ideas vanish once they are explained?
I guess they do sometimes - like the idea that the world is flat, although
some apparently still do believe as much today.
>Both show a tremendous lack of understanding and a lot of
>over-generalization and immaturity.
Lack of understanding that billions of people hold r/s/m near and dear, and
for that reason alone no one should presume to theorize about the origins of
such ideas? Lack of understanding how these ideas benefit/harm these
people's lives or the global population in general - to whatever degree?
Lack of understanding that I might make you angry if I theorize on these
ideas? I admit I just don't understand what you mean here.
Over-generalization? please note that I was speculating on the origin of
r/s/m and NOT saying anything about what they *ARE* today. That would be
like saying: A human is _________. However one fills in the blank, the
statement is obviously going to be an over-generalization.
>I notice that each time it is done it is done with religion
>summed up in its most primitive forms so it can more easily be
>disposed of. Isn't this game rather boring for all concerned?
If it's boring, then don't read the thread. The subject line gave a pretty
good indication of what you were getting into.
>What is the kick? A feeling of superiority over those
>supposedly dumb and lazy-minded religious/spiritual people? Are
>those that habitually do this routine so lacking in
>self-confidence that they need this kick periodically?
Possibly. I'm still only human after all and continually learning that I
don't know everything that goes on in my head or exactly why I do or say
certain things. Perhaps it was an unconscious, unfruitful attempt to impress
you with my wit to the degree that you might be sufficiently motivated to
assist me in propagating my genes? ;-)
Russell Evermore
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