X-Message-Number: 17773 From: "Dani Kollin" <> Subject: On Tim McVeigh and Skepticism Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2001 10:27:24 -0700 Charles: I suggest that McVeigh drew his outrage from perceived constitutional violations, and supported the ethical validity of his retaliation by reading that well-known guide to the Christian faith. Me: You forgot to mention Charles that he may also have been watching a violent show on tv the night before he committed his atrocity. My point was that ANY treatise can be read wrong by a warped mind. Be it the constitution or the bible. That Tim McVeigh allegedly had a bible with certain passages hilighted (never reported only heard by you apparently) is beside the point. Charles: As for Christianity having done more good than bad, I certainly disagree, because I think that any group which believes in a bunch of myths about the afterlife is liable to make dangerously irrational decisions. Me: I disagree I reiterate that more harm than good has resulted out of people making decisions based on pure rationale than those made by people who feel that they must anser ultimately to a higher authority. It is the very definition of ethical monotheism. Charles: Secular dictators have of course been responsible for a huge number of deaths, but the real problem is that they, in turn, were pushing their own version of myths (such as collectivism), perhaps even more dangerous than religious myths. Me: Not "perhaps" Charles. For sure. The numbers in terms of outright death and destruction don't lie. Charles: Perhaps we could agree that the real problem lies in uncritical willingness to believe almost anything that a trusted leader says. Me: Agreed. Skepticism is the antidote to religion _and_ totalitarianism. Me: I consider myself religious and do not feel any need for an antidote thank you. Dani ___________________________________________________________________________ Visit http://www.visto.com. Find out how companies are linking mobile users to the enterprise with Visto. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17773