Leash Your Dogma

There are few things as frustrating as witnessing a "debate" where the parties are arguing, not with each other, but with a fictional other, who can be persuaded.

It is a truism that you cannot convince those who will not listen. Those who come from different worldviews are unlikely to "hear" words spoken from a worldview that ignores or dismisses their worldview.

That said, each is free to believe, or not believe, as he would wish to. It is not merely a free country, but in matters of conscience, it is a free universe (the consequences of believing certain things may be highly negative, i.e. Falun Gong in the PRC, but each of us has a choice in the matter).

The last paragraph tends to ignore multiple interpretations, as well as the fact that several world religions view G-d (or "god", if you'd like) as a Just Being, which would seem to require punishment for failure to abide by the Law (or "law").

Basically, it seems as though you place all major religions into the realm of folklore, and that is your right, but it seems intellectually dishonest to phrase it the way you have done so.

Good luck with the blog thing.

Since you have some rather strong feelings about Katrina, why not publish your thoughts in depth here and generate some debate and traffic for your new blog? Just a thought.

"each is free to believe, or not believe, as he would wish to. It is not merely a free country, but in matters of conscience, it is a free universe"

Very well said! Nothing frustrates me more than people who refuse to open their mind because they are not "allowed" to.

"The last paragraph tends to ignore multiple interpretations, as well as the fact that several world religions view G-d (or "god", if you'd like) as a Just Being, which would seem to require punishment for failure to abide by the Law (or "law")."

I'm not ignoring those views, I was just stating how I (personally) approach them.

I apologize for miscasting your statement.

The passages quoted apply to all men without distinction, including Republicans and you and me. Regards.

Check out Job 40:15-41:34 and ask yourself how did Job know about these creatures?

You mean dragons?

"His sneezings flash forth light,
and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.
Out of his mouth go flaming torches;
sparks of fire leap forth.
Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,
as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.
His breath kindles coals,
and a flame comes forth from his mouth."

Perhaps the better question would be: How did Job know about the UNICORNS he mentions in the previous chapter???

"Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?"
- Job 39: 9-12

Doesn't the fact that there are FICTIONAL creatures in the book of Job, and the fact that CHARACTERS in the book ARE VERY DRAMATIC... Also, the fact that sworn enemies (GOD and SATAN) are wagering in the beginning of the STORY... TELL you something about the Book of Job? (hint: look at the bold words, they are clues!)

****> Just yanking your chain here, V, no offense :P