Reply #40: Zynx, the fact that you are a person of "religous faith" does not [View All]

[ladjf]

suggest that your personally are prone to violence. I would have no reason to doubt your assertion that you are one who abhors killing. I would presume that if a man of Jesus's views were walking the street today, he/she would be safe company.

My fears and prejudices about organized religion stem from knowing that over the past few thousand years, religious orthodoxy has been at the heart of much of the human suffering. The Inquisitions in Europe lasted over 800 years. It hasn't mattered much what particular brands of religion, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, all have violent pasts.

You asked about a "Cold realist". What about a "warm realist". I advance the idea that it is a wonderful and wondrous thing to have had the opportunity to live on this beautiful and bountiful planet. I came to that conclusion by realistically observing the context in which we live. There is nothing socially "cold" about realism. Yes, life is hard for most. But, through it all, most of us have opportunities of feel well, have some sweet children and grandchildren, and view the wonders of Nature. Why would a person who is able to see such glory everywhere decide to commit violence upon someone? Adding up the interrelated factors of such and act would lead anyone of reasonable intelligence to conclude that such an act would be stupid, immoral and unnecessary. Further, society seriously frowns upon such deeds and is likely to retaliate in kind.

We're probably going to need more space than is available on the DU to have any kind of meeting of the minds.

Proceed in peace Zynx. My comments are of a general nature. I didn't intend to apply them personally to specific individuals of good will.