X-Message-Number: 18637
From: 
Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2002 14:28:38 EST
Subject: Stereotyping and religion bashing

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In a message dated 02/22/2002 5:01:14 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
 writes:

Rudi Hoffman wrote:

> The religious right has massive funding, television stations, and the 
> tremendous blind faith of the religiously deluded. This is a society where 
> it 
> is considered a positive if you believe something just BECAUSE there is NO 
> evidence of it!  This flawed but surprising effective epistemology has 
> engendered societies ruled by religious zealots throughout most of recorded 
> 
> history.
> (end)



>  John Grigg replied:



> The religious right organizations organized by Falwell and Robertson do have 
> massive funding and pretty dang big numbers, too.  But some evangelical 
> Christians do have "minds of their own."  Stereotyping and religion bashing 
> is not the right way.  Maybe we can build bridges with the moderates that 
> also exist.
> 
Your reasoned approach outlined above is, of course, the only appropriate 
road, John.  It violates the principles of Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends 
and Influence People) to intentionally be divisive, combative, and "tick 
people off just for fun."

Well, maybe we ALL do this sometimes!  LOL!  (Except for you, Charles 
Platt...I know you have never done this in your life!) :)

Anyway, just for the record, I don't really believe that anyone who comes 
from a religious orientation is "the enemy."  My personal family background 
is that of both attending a Christian college, as well as personally teaching 
at a "Christian" school, (Warner Christian Academy).  My grandfather was the 
pastor at the 2000 member Park Place Church of God, in Anderson, IN, as well 
as the University president at the church sponsored Anderson University for 
39 years.  

So, while I have been and remain a self declared "rational secular skeptic 
agnostic atheist humanist," I can honestly say that most of my family and 
friends are quite religious.  And also very wonderful people.  Probably not 
BECAUSE of their religion, but because they just happen to be decent, honest, 
ethical people.  And maybe even the religious background did not hurt them as 
far as being ethical and decent people. 

For this reason I remain on the Board of Advisors of the Salvation Army.  The 
SA is an EXTREMELY well run organization, with never a hint of scandal that 
has plagued other charities.  While I find the written theological rantings 
of the organization appalling and silly, I still appreciate the quality and 
quantity of GENUINE charity and service that these folks provide.  In a very 
nonjudgmental, loving, way.  Never mind that the theology behind the actions, 
is, in my humble opinion, ignorant Christian dogmatic crap.

Perhaps many on this list would agree with me that religious indoctrination 
does NOT create a scientific, rational, clear thinking epistemology.  We are 
encouraged to see "By faith, not by sight."  What bullshit!  Can you imagine 
a scientist making a discovery and not providing evidence?  And then 
indicating that if you don't believe what he is saying, that you need to 
increase your faith?  This is a recipe for gullibility and bad decision 
making.

Religious authority figures establish mythologies and promulgate nonsense 
that most ANY thinking person would have a hard time swallowing.   

But, John, to stay on point, your observation that we need to find areas of 
commonality is well taken.  But writing reasonable and "making nice" does not 
provide nearly as entertaining copy on Cryonet.  And I would be highly 
offended if anyone skipped my postings because I was boring.  LOL!

We all know the readership on this list is a very small and select one.  Most 
of you can even take a joke.  Excuse me now while I go find a religionist to 
bash. 

I love you all. 
God bless!

Rudi


Rudi Hoffman
Member Financial Planner's Association, Certified Planner
Member ALCOR Life Extension Foundation
Member Libertarian Party    
Member National Rifle Association
Member Extropy Foundation
Board Member Port Orange Chamber of Commerce
Board Member Daytona Salvation Army

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