tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21849764.post115655743624409020..comments2023-10-22T08:25:52.841-07:00Comments on Jockomo: Jockomohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07234343748964799410noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21849764.post-1160841829521104682006-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:002006-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:00Jockomo, I don't know where you live, but your com...Jockomo, I don't know where you live, but your comments are so intellectual that you couldn't be from the United States. So here's a comment from that low-brow nation.<BR/>I haven't read Harris's book, but I saw him on TV talking about his book. He spoke impressively, but I've seen too many people act better because of their religious faith to believe that there's no value in religious belief. Who's to say whether the universe was created by an all-powerful benevolent being? Not me. I wasn't there. But maybe human nature is such that we operate better when we believe in such a being.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21849764.post-1156894002484243982006-08-29T16:26:00.000-07:002006-08-29T16:26:00.000-07:00Thanks, Buzz. The irony about Harris is that his m...Thanks, Buzz. The irony about Harris is that his main targets are religious MODERATES – the very same people you have little problem with. His thesis would fall apart if he didn’t include ALL religious people. He does a bondo/primer job of fixing this gaping hole by asserting that moderates (like Presbyterians, who have embraced women in the ministry and – for the most part – do not preach against gays/lesbians) are not critical of their extremist brothers (Southern Baptists, who exclude women from the pastorate and preach against homosexuality). For a Stanford graduate student, this is remedial apologetics. <BR/><BR/>In addition, when it comes to fanatical fundamentalism being the foundation of numberless atrocities in our planet's history Harris conveniently downplays all the other acts of genocide and massacres that have absolutely NOTHING to do with religion. I am sure these passages in the book would insult any of the survivors of Stalin’s Great Purge, The Khmer Rouge’s, Killing Fields, or even the Columbine High School Massacre.<BR/><BR/>Dang it Buzz, now you got me all worked up again. I feel like slitting this guy’s tires!Jockomohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07234343748964799410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21849764.post-1156878409838924222006-08-29T12:06:00.000-07:002006-08-29T12:06:00.000-07:00Nice review Jock. I haven't read the book, but as...Nice review Jock. I haven't read the book, but as an agnostic I certainly understand and respect others' desire to have a religion and a spiritual belief system.<BR/><BR/>Of course, it's true that fanatical fundamentalism in any religion has certainly been the foundation of numberless atrocities in our planet's history. And some zealots certainly hold religious ideas that are interpreted as "we are the only true followers, and all others must die! (or be not protected by the law, etc.") There's a problem there, as I know you agree. But the solution isn't to attempt to convince all these zealots that God doesn't exist (for who can claim to know that?), or that their belief system is without merit, which is what it sounds like this author is saying, according to your take.<BR/><BR/>I think part of the solution comes from moderates and good people like yourself working within your religion as a voice of intelligent reason. "Hey guys, maybe God doesn't hate fags...and maybe we ought to stay out of their business?" Or "Hey guys, praise Allah, but maybe we shouldn't stone women to death whose burqas ride up a half inch!" Another solution, IMHO, are secular governments that pass laws that say "we don't care what your (or our) religion says, stoning women is henceforth illegal."<BR/><BR/>And I don't disbelieve in God simply so I can live an immoral lifestyle. Can we have morals, ethics, believe in the redemptive power of love, trust, fellowship, family, communicty, and act accordingly, without having a spiritual belief system? Of course! Just like someone can have a strong belief in a creator and spiritual principles, and also live an immoral life of unethical behavior.Buzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16964105483082514962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21849764.post-1156787274365310292006-08-28T10:47:00.000-07:002006-08-28T10:47:00.000-07:00Jockomo "Jack"...Thank you for signing my guestbo...Jockomo "Jack"...Thank you for signing my guestbook and visiting my blog. I appreciate it very much. I like your blog! I'll put your link on my blog!<BR/> <BR/> This Harris guy and all illogical philosophers, atheists etc. need to contemplate "Prime Genesis." If "Big Bang" is true or if "Continuous Creation" or "Creation Equillibrium" is true, either way... (and String Theory is questioning the idea of "Big Bang.") ,instead of "denying" a Creator and Creation..BOTH VERIFIES A CREATOR AND CREATION! It is the ONLY logical conclusion one can make because "We think therefore we are!" EXISTENCE ITSELF IS THE PROOF OF CREATION!<BR/><BR/> There are 2 questions that philosophy cannot answer without science and vice-versa... "Why Creation in the first place and how it happened?"<BR/>How and why are different questions and NEITHER affects the other. Those who believe that science can EXPLAIN the WHY of existence and therefore can destroy "religion" do not understand the difference between the questions of why and how. The "battle" between religion and science is therefore entirely an illusion created by ignorance of BOTH!<BR/> I have not read Harris's book but I am confident that his "thinking" is shallow and illogical. I suspect the reason behind why a person refuses to "believe" in God can be reduced to one simple word....MORALITY....we want to do as we please without fear of the consequences to ourselves and others. EVERYTHING we experience in life is a variation on the "original lie" of "surely you shall not die." If it "feels good"...DO IT! <BR/> <BR/> No matter what ANYONE tells you.."there are no atheists in a foxhole."<BR/><BR/>Pax....Doubting Thomas (David)The Doubting Thomas (David Brown)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14822001185151610608noreply@blogger.com