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Anna Taylor wrote:
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<pre wrap="">--- On Thu, 6/3/10, samantha <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:sjatkins@mac.com"><sjatkins@mac.com></a> wrote:
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<pre wrap="">How is that? There are huge costs. They instill
mystical claptrap as the basis for everything they
teach. It becomes a sort of package deal in the minds
of many. The claptrap is the reason why the morality
is so and the reason why every thing good in their lives is
good is because they are good. Vicious circle.
This is not by accident. Religions are designed to
install themselves in this way. Instead of learning
ethics on the basis of reason and reality a version of
ethics is learned based on mysticism and acceptance on
faith. This is incredibly costly. It splits the
mind that takes it seriously. Most minds
don't take it that seriously out of self-defense. As a
result ethics becomes this untrustworthy realm one gives lip
service to but really does not have integrated at all.
Morality is split from reality. The mind
compartmentalizes after all and simply will no longer look
at some things deeply. Very costly.
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I probably didn't explain myself properly again. Yesterday I visited an old friend, that like Spike, has a 2 year old. She has recently returned to church. She is very well aware of the garbage they teach. So when I asked, "why go then?". She replied, "it's the only place I know that people help each other and help others in a community environment."
I always liked church as a social network but don't agree with what is taught.
--- On Thu, 6/3/10, Stefano Vaj <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:stefano.vaj@gmail.com"><stefano.vaj@gmail.com></a> wrote:
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<pre wrap="">Even though I am not especially a fan of "religious"
jargon, nor am
persuaded that we should indulge in it, I would have
nothing per se
against the fact of children going once a week to a
building called
"church of Extropy"... ;-)
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Cute but that is where I was going with this. I was thinking how great it would be if people could go once a week and be taught the real facts. Learn about respect, honesty, helping others, believing in a cosmic energy for the greater good. If churches could be replaced with "Community centers" everyone would benefit. Yes I know, wishful thinking.
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<br>
Perhaps not. A Churh of Extropy or the equivalent could perhaps be
done. Many have thought long and hard on this and a few attempts have
been made to something similar. Humanitarianism attempts in its
gatherings to provide something of a substitute for the good parts but
the meetings I have gone to do not engage at as many levels as some
other religious services do. We people who have escaped religion are
very allergic to most anything that reminds us of it even if it is
actually a good thing or can be used in very good ways. Which makes
it difficult for such things to get off the ground. We are so
justifiably proud of our mostly individualistic fight to separate
ourselves from that warm but most smelly nest (if we were ever in it)
that it is hard for us to build or enjoy a new nest that is not so
smelly.<br>
<br>
- samantha<br>
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