Posts
Sorry about the recent difficulty in posting comments. I was trying to set up comment moderation, at Jeff's suggestion, but inadvertently restricted comments to team members as well. It should now be possible again to post your comments.
I will be checking them before they appear, though, as Jeff requested, for anything purely pejorative--against other posters, and against other identifiable individuals and groups. Notably including George Bush and the Catholic Church.
I do suspect Jeff will be the only person affected by this. But since it is at his request, I trust he does not mind.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
When I thought you were shutting me out, I took it as a blessing (ha,ha) because I can no longer contribute so much to your blog. Consider this my farewell letter.
If we're not careful, debating can lead to growth and discovery. I came up with a huge revelation a couple days ago: because knowledge is infinite, it is possible to argue from a false premise forever. No doubt about it. Someone suffering from schizophrenia can try to convince you his whole life he is Napoleon.
je, I found your "objective morals proves God" argument in Philosophy Now magazine. Funny how those professional philosophers missed the obvious reality I used to defeat your assertion. Our subjective experience interacts with the objective realities of morals.
I.e lower animals, viruses etc. don't give a hoot about their victims. It's humanity's subjective experience that sets our moral bar so high. Take away the evoved feelings of guilt, compassion etc. and what you are left with in human terms is someone with antisocial personality disorder, someone without morals. What's more, someone can be completely religious (i.e a priest that molests children) and still suffer a lack of human emotions that concrete a conscience.
Steve, I saved your damnation/salvation paintings, Steve. What brilliant pieces of art. I find the pathways found to damnation interesting and telling (i.e the money and the mirror representing vanity). You do know that taking this art literally, as millions of Christians do, is extremist, don't you?
Personally, I believe that everyone, even those who have harmed fellow human beings, should be permitted the dignity to die in peace. What attrition is to be gained by tormenting someone at the end of a failed life? This is like kicking someone when they are down.
As art, perhaps, the image can serve as a warning to those on an antisocial path (even in this case, I doubt it will help, because the person is unable to feel). Nevertheless, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in my eye, the painting is fantastic.
I think this is the most parsimonious way to sum up morality in a person: There are those who care about fellow human beings; others who only care about themselves (thanks Ms. J, I came up with this notion while debating with you: I wish you all the best!)
Causing undo pain and sorrow is indicative of those who care mostly about themselves (i.e pontificating to Africans that condoms are evil: i.e killing in the name of a god: i.e telling consenting adults their love is evil).
Empathy and compassion are the hallmarks of those who care for fellow human beings (i.e taking care of the planet for future generations: i.e feeding starving children: i.e finding cures for terrible diseases: i.e aiding those who have suffered a natural disaster).
It's been great debating with you Steve. Hopefully, I have taken some of that Catholic grit out of your eyes for the betterment of your humanity. Knowledge is infinite, so never stop learning my parochial friend!
Jeff, AKA The Epicurean Jesus
HI Steve and Jeff if you are still reading ,
You know i have thought for a while on your retreat and while i respect your wishes I don't agree that you can't ever change a person's mind ;anything too absolute is bound to fail.
I often see that when the edges of firm ground start to slip away from a perceived belief then some people can retreat saying that there is never any hope so might as well give it up trying.
I like the give up trying bit because what ever realm of knowledge you are in true intelligence will recognize that all is possible.
Jeff your quest for enlightenment here on this earth is entirely possible thru your philosophy just as my search for returning to my orgin is also possible (if I truly work hard and diligently on myself).I think that we all together have established that caring for humanity and each other while improving ones heart nature is fundamental to enlightenment.
In my realms when 2 enlightened people meet each other they smile and all knowledge is transmitted by telepathy.They would never think that this person is wrong or right etc. The deep respect and admiration for one another enables them to truly communicate without ego interfering/ (because they have no egos).
ON earth we all try to argue that our way is right without truly listening with acceptance of what the other being is saying..
In those realms when an enlightened being communicates their thoughts to another they don't instantly react by negating the other thoughts. They would add to the others thoughts their own views enhancing the creative thoughts without judgment or ego and all the crazy earth things we do here.
For instance take a simple conversation like Someone says "the Sky is very blue today" and the other person may not see it that way but instead of being negative he might say "Yes and I can also see the treads of indigo thru the blue " thus adding his perspective in a positive way , because there is no need to negate but only enhance understanding everyone improves in a cooperative creative pleasurable way.
I dont know if this is possible on this earth. But thats how I see we could have been on this blog rather than as we all explored and tested to some degree our egos and patience out with each other.
I felt a little sad that you had opted Like we had pushed you aside instead of really listening to you. You said even in your second para
"If we're not careful, debating can lead to growth and discovery."
Perhaps we could add to that" If we are careful sharing could lead to growth and discovery"
That is such a beautiful exciting statement.
What will change this earth is a fundamental change in our thinking
and that includes acceptance,tolerance and forbearance of one another.
I wish you both well too. Please Remember that Falun Gong is Good..
Post a Comment