| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"V" |
| Date: |
07 Sep 2007 09:04:18 AM |
| Object: |
Moderates-V-Extremists |
Nr writes:
I have something of a bee in my bonnet about those who see extreme
expressions of religion through violence or interference in secular
affairs as a phenomena that shouldn't be pinned on so-called
moderates. Moderates don't plant bombs or picket military funerals or
force Creationism down children's throats do they!
Or do they?
The difference between moderate faith and extreme, fanatical faith is
only one of degree; similar perhaps to the difference between a
befuddled shoplifter and a brutal armed robber.
Moderates, I feel, are maybe a little like Typhoid Mary; nice company
over lunch, but a walking biological weapon.
If religion is ever to be seriously challenged, it must be confronted
at its grass roots level, removing the solid base on which extremism
of all kinds stands.
Moderates are the very core of the problematic condition. Extremists
are merely a terrible symptom.
Sorry if by saying this I might upset some theists friends here who
feel they cause no harm by quietly worshipping. But I'm no Christ (who
ever was?) and cannot whisper 'father forgive them for they know not
what they do' when the evidence of what they do splashes our TV
screens crimson every single day.
Moderates serve to provide a base of respectability (and [granted
often unintentionally] support and finance) for those who go over the
top in the name of the very same religions we are asked to tolerate
because of the apparently benign nature of their majority membership.
Moderate religionists are the greatest threat to our world today. They
preach the ideals of peace with a holy book in one hand and --
wilfully denied by the unthinking rank and file -- a bomb in the
other.
Sorry for the wee rant. It's really not my style. But, as I say,
there's a bee in my bonnet about those who consider the quiet
religionist to be a harmless religionist.
Any thoughts?
Best wishes. Nr
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
V writes:
Really most people have no problems with Christians, Atheists or
Muslims. The problem arise when the Christians, Atheists or Muslims
become too militant or extreme or out of balance.
The moderate theist accepts a moderate atheist, just as a moderate
atheist accepts a moderate theist.
It is out of balance, extreme views that sets one apart.
Problems within society do not come from Muslims...the problems come
from extreme Muslims.
Same with all the rest whether Christian or Atheist...seek
balance...seek inner peace within and with all.
Ken Humphreys talks about 'getting high' on religion. We can also get
high on hatred and other emotions, so there are many areas to look out
for when the subject turns to balanced living.
Many people gravitate towards extreme views since this works magic on
blinding them from the pain in their lives.
A few years ago I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about a
con man named Charles Ponzi. He was credited with inventing the first
pyramid scheme.
The article stated when Ponzi was interviewed he was asked how he was
able to swindle so many people so easily, his responded, "When a man's
mind is concentrated he is blind."
This case of having your mind concentrated to the point of blindness
is not anything new. The ancient philosophers new this well. They
called it "putting passion before reason."
Both these areas of passion and reason where the foundation of much
philosophical discussion of ethics and virtue with the ancient Greeks.
They knew when passion rules the mind, that the only job left for
reason is that of the subservient task to find cleaver ways to satisfy
the passions.
When our minds are occupied with too much wreckage of the past, too
many problems and complexities and out of control passions then there
is little room left in it for reasoning. It is then easy to fall into
extreme thinking.
Take care,
V (Male)
Agnostic Freethinker
Practical Philosopher
AA#2
.
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