Logic free zone:

[sweetnpetite]

Not that what you post here, has to be irrational-- just that we will not use or debate the tools of logic or anything else related to the *field* of logic.

I could see that my thread about religion was striking an interest in people, beyond my original point, but then it turned into a logic debate and those who were initially interested got bored and left.

So here, is just a place to talk about what kinds of things you believe weather they be illogical. irational or just plain contradictory.

S use myths, metaphores and maybe a little bit of common sense if youmust, but leave logic, acedamia and argumentative debate out of it.

This thread is for sharing, stretching, questoning and learning sure but its not a debate thread. Don't try to disprove anyone else, just listen and then add your own thoughts.

Oh yeah, one more thing... no 'spicy prose' either. This is the 'religion for dummies' thread, lets keep it down to earth.

 

[doormouse]

Saw your light on, thought I'd drop in

 

[BlackSnake]

Why is it that nobody seem to believe in the same God that I believe in? How could you even have a god if you could define him, stick him in your pocket and take him out anytime anyone does something that you don't deem righteous?

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

...How could you stick him in your pocket... and take him out... that you don't deem righteous?

There is always a use to be found for a Pocket God who can quickly annihilate your enemies and all their opinions without having to unpack and articulate the full panoply of an actual religion.

Indeed, for most people’s uses, there is little need for any religions beyond that of a Pocket God.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

I think people are terrified of not being special, and that leads them to be really low-quality people. A jealousy, a self-confidence problem, a desire to be way more than they are...

...I think too many people online strike on trying to be the "wisest" or "most quirky unique" or "most experienced ever". Very big problem.

 

[minsue]

I think people are terrified of not being special

I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. Not so much with how it reflects on the quality of the person, though.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

I think people are terrified of not being special ... a self-confidence problem, a desire to be way more than they are...

In those few cases that I have been aware of it, the problem was not a lack of differentiation. Everybody I have ever known is unique. The problem, however, does arise that they are not always unique in a currently acceptable manner or fashion.

Being unstylishly unique is, at some point, everybody’s problem.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Originally posted by Virtual_Burlesque
In those few cases that I have been aware of it, the problem was not a lack of differentiation. Everybody I have ever known is unique. The problem, however, does arise that they are not always unique in a currently acceptable manner or fashion.

Being unstylishly unique is, at some point, everybody’s problem.

It is unfortunate that most people I have ever known are unique... but not significantly so. People are the same. Sometimes, they just wish they weren't.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

It is unfortunate that most people I have ever known are unique... but not significantly so. People are the same. Sometimes, they just wish they weren't.

Naturally, their lack of stature in your eyes in no way intimates any lack of vision on your part.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Originally posted by Virtual_Burlesque
Naturally, their lack of stature in your eyes in no way intimates any lack of vision on your part.

Naturally.

 

[snooper]

When I saw the thread title, I thought 'Oh no, another boring thread on voting,' but I'm glad it isn't.

 

[haldir]

belief

Thanks Sweet, this is the sort of thread we need more of. I only hope that everyone will respect your vision for it and refrain from judgemental posts.

I feel no need for there to be a "god", however, I do believe that there are forces and energies in nature that we do not understand. It strikes me that these may have been what the builders of stone circles, shamans and wiccans amongst others are able to tap into.

What does everyone think?

 

[impressive]

Re: belief

I feel no need for there to be a "god", however, I do believe that there are forces and energies in nature that we do not understand.

Ditto.

I may get flamed for this -- but I have trouble respecting folks who just cannot function without some "god" to pray to or worship.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I think it’s the idea of God that causes people so much trouble when they think about religion.

For me, see, “religion” doesn’t mean an organized institution. It’s more like an emotion: the religious impulse. For me, the idea of a religious atheist is perfectly acceptable.

Anyone who’s been floored by the idea of their own consciousness, or been knocked out by the beauty and mystery of the universe, has had a religous experience in my book. So when I hear people making blanket statements about religion being bullshit, it’s like they’re demonstrating a lack of imagination and sensitivity that's just hard for me to understand. I don't understand how you can be human and not experience those feelings of awe and wonder that are the basis of the religious impulse.

I'm sure there are people who look at religion as being all about dealing with The Old Man Upstairs, but that's a pretty chilidish conception of religion, and I think most of us outgrow that in our adolescence. We're still left with the rather astonishing fact of our own existence, though, and religion is about how we deal with that, whether we believe in an external, willful God or not. Most religious rituals, no matter how corrupted they might now be, were originally about connecting with and experiencing that religious impulse, whether they involved building Stonehenge or taking communion or dancing yourself into a trance around a sacred fire.

So you can disagree and object to a religion’s ethics, or the way religious practices are put into effect, or the religion’s theology, but to put down all of religion—to deny the basic religious impulse-- is to deny a big part of what makes us human.

That’s my take on it.

---dr.M.

 

[minsue]

I think it’s the idea of God that causes people so much trouble when they think about religion.

For me, see, “religion” doesn’t mean an organized institution. It’s more like an emotion: the religious impulse. For me, the idea of a religious atheist is perfectly acceptable.

Anyone who’s been floored by the idea of their own consciousness, or been knocked out by the beauty and mystery of the universe, has had a religous experience in my book. So when I hear people making blanket statements about religion being bullshit, it’s like they’re just demonstrating their own lack of imagination and sensitivity.

You can disagree and object to a religion’s ethics, or the way religious practices are put into effect, or the religion’s theology, but to put down all of religion—to deny the basic religious impulse-- is to deny a big part of what makes us human.

That’s my take on it.

---dr.M.

It's all just terminology, Dr Z. In your book, I would certainly be labeled a religious atheist. I don't refer to myself as such, but that is likely because I'm sick and tired of arguing with people who try to tell me that, deep down, I do too believe in a god. Or, at the least, am agnostic for my easy admission that I could be wrong. (I can usually shut them up by explaining that I believe the earth revolves around the sun, but I could be wrong about that, too )

There are so many people who are constantly on the lookout for someone to 'save' and so many more that cannot reconcile that one may be a good and moral person without believing in a god, that I am wary of any admission of 'spirituality' of any kind lest the immediately latch on to it.

Yes, I am often struck dumb with wonder at the terrible beauty of the universe. I have been moved to tears by glorious shafts of light breaking through the angry monsoon storm clouds. I am a spiritual person and, I suppose by your definition, a religious athiest. I just don't believe there is a god.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I can see where having people trying to save your soul would drive you nuts, but I don’t experience that much. I just don’t deal with people like that.

A while ago I was checking out of the grocery store and this woman standing at the end of the register asked me, “Pardon me, but are you Jewish?”

I said, “Sure,” and she started to tell me about this Rabbi who was predicting the end of the world and calling for all Jews to get right with God. I was totally shocked.

I said, “Lady, I’m not that Jewish”, and walked away from her.

I was shocked because Jews never, ever proseletyze like that. The Missionary ideal is totally foreign to Judaism, a religon in which people are actually talked out of converting. That’s a holdover from the middle ages where a Jew could be killed for converting a Christian.

So when the Mormons or Witnesses come to my door, I just tell them I’m not interested, because I’m not. Talking to these people is like talking to a third-grader. Their idea of religion is just so childish, like a fairy-tale. I don’t know how anyone can believe that stuff, but I make a distinction between their fairy tales and the idea of religion itself.

I guess to me, rejecting religion based on what these people think is like rejecting literature because you don’t like fairy tales.

---dr.M.

 

[CharleyH]

Well, I never aspire to be 'special'. I think the last thing I would want anyone to say about me is "She was . . . 'special'. *shudder*

I don't necessarily agree that people online are unique in their desire to be the most, or the least for that matter, and I don't particulary find anything wrong with either aspiration. If we all resigned ourselves to being mediocre, well - wow.

In other news, I am me, and that is terrifying enough.

Now what was that again Sweet - No religion? *chuckle*

 

[Lisa Denton]

Well, I never aspire to be 'special'. I think the last thing I would want anyone to say about me is "She was . . . 'special'. *shudder*

I don't necessarily agree that people online are unique in their desire to be the most, or the least for that matter, and I don't particulary find anything wrong with either aspiration. If we all resigned ourselves to being mediocre, well - wow.

In other news, I am me, and that is terrifying enough.

Now what was that again Sweet - No religion? *chuckle*

You being you is terrifying, I agree 100%, but its a kinda good terrifying, he, he. I like the way everbody is so different, so special, when you look hard enough to see. I sometimes shudder and sometimes laugh but I am always happy to have seen that part of people that is THEM ALONE AND SPECIAL.

 

[Guest]

I said, “Lady, I’m not that Jewish”, and walked away from her.

Wish I'd been there. I like your take on it all, Mab.

Perdita

 

[snooper]

... So when the Mormons ... come to my door, I just tell them I’m not interested ...

That can be a missed opportunity. Those kids want to help people and they hate having doors slammed in their faces, so any chance is a good one.

Just after we moved house I had a lot of big boxes, about two feet by two feet by one which needed moving from the stupid place the removal men had left them. Those things were full of books, so they were heavy.

Two young Mormon Elders came to the door, and I politely said I was far too busy to talk, I had all these boxes to move. It was intended just as an excuse.

They immediately offered their services and in half an hour they had done what would have taken me half a day to do. And they left, after a glass of milk, without doing any conversion talk at all.

So next time they arrive at your door, think of it as Cub Scouts Bob-a-Job week.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

So when the Mormons or Witnesses come to my door, I just tell them I’m not interested, because I’m not.

---dr.M.

I usually just try and convert them to the Church of Satan. :>

Is it just me or is the Logic Free Zone abnormally boring considering its name?

 

[oggbashan]

I have just sold three Bibles to one couple.

They wanted a King James (1611) Authorised Version but bought three.

Why? I didn't ask.

Og

 

[amicus]

Boring and lifeless...yes...a good example of what happens to people when 'restrictions and limitations' are placed on them.

And the precise reason that controlled societies never produce anything of value...take away freedom, take away spirit and innovation....

Put that in your pipe...


amicus...

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Originally posted by amicus
Boring and lifeless...yes...a good example of what happens to people when 'restrictions and limitations' are placed on them.

And the precise reason that controlled societies never produce anything of value...take away freedom, take away spirit and innovation....

Put that in your pipe...


amicus...

Damn. Concise and to the point.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

The only restriction I noticed on this thread is that it is to be ”logic free”.

Still, you fellows are complaining that the thread is "boring and lifeless" because of this one tiny restriction.

A more "logical" reaction would be to stay out of a "logic free" thread if you MUST forever be so ballockingly logical!

Somehow, your complaint just doesn't seem quite logical to me.

So, I guess it DOES belong in this thread after all

If any of this analysis betrays the slightest use of logic, I apologize.