Not Always a Good Idea....

[aearwen2]

I see on FaceBook that it is Atheist Awareness Week, an attempt to show people that those who eschew religion are (1) more numerous; and (2) less demonic than otherwise stereotyped. I then read an interesting post in LJ about it here.

I don't often discuss this kind of thing openly, but for those who are interested...

Comments

[nierielraina]

Well said. And though my mileage does vary, I greatly respect your ability to communicate on such issues. :)

[lindahoyland]

Very well said. I like the Hindu saying that we are all on different paths on a mountain leading up to the same summit.

[engarian]

I agree in many aspects with your views on this, Aearwen. And I have no doubt in my soul that the Song echoes throughout the universe in all of its many dimensions and that I and all others are merely a small part of that Song. But we all help in the harmony and I do think that all of us are important in the end.

- Erulisse (one L)

[galantha_nivala]

Was that a Buddhist parable or was it Plato's? It was probably Buddhist. I don't think there were a lot of elephants in ancient Greece.

I agree completely that it's the approach one takes to their spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof) that makes all the difference.

In general, people who are secure in their beliefs tend to be tolerant of different beliefs. Whenever I encounter a person who passionately (in a loud, rude way) insists their way is right and only way (including aethists), I wonder who they're trying to convince; me or themselves? Given that none of them have ever changed my mind, I'm inclined to think it's the latter.

The one thing I do resent is twisting or ignoring history to prove one point of view or another. To claim that religion has killed more people through history than wars based on greed or tribalism or politics or chest-thumping stupidity, especially after the excesses of the twentieth century, just boggles my mind.