Subject: Religion and logic
From: Lucy Pearson (lucy@ejpearson.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Sun Jan 09 2000 - 07:14:02 EST
----- Original Message -----
From: Robbie <shok@netcom.com>
To: <bananafish@lists.nyu.edu>
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2000 10:31 AM
Subject: Re: music as a process of religion
>
> And if this discussion turns into one on the subjectivity of reality, I
> will politely excuse myself from it as I have a policy of leaving the
> postmodernism to effete snobs.
Ow. I have been very interested in this discussion, although I know too
little about formal logic to join in. But, please don't appeal to logic and
then attack a fairly basic philosophical concept which stems from logic. (I
guess). Doesn't questioning of the reality of "reality" date back to
Descartes, at least? Hardly postmodernism.
Now I've had my moan, I'd like to cheer you on a little bit, Robbie:
a. I agree, atheists are too often characterised as immoral. Belief in god
has nothing to do with morality, although it is to be hoped that spiritual
awareness might come hand in hand with so sort of compassion. Given all the
horrible things which have been done in the name of religion, I don't think
anyone would disagree with that.
b. Atheism is a default mode for me, too. I can't speak for the rest of
humanity, but without some sort of demonstration (and no, I'm not demanding
miracle healing or anything, just a personal "revelation") I see no reason
to believe in any god. On the other hand, I sort of think that that is a
positive thing for religion. The reason I'm not religious is that I have no
faith, no awareness of God. Without a faith, engaging in religion would be
just going through the motions, which seems pointless to me. If I was God, I
would probably not want religion to be the default mode - I would want
genuine faith (not that I'm claiming to speak for God!). For the many people
who feel the presence of god, good luck to them. They have something in
their lives I may never have. But I don't think that makes either me or them
"better".
Just my two pence, really. I don't think anyone in this discussion really
wants to force their opinion on anyone else, and it's certainly an
interesting discussion.
Dragging this round to Salinger, one of the things I find really interesting
and inspiring about his work is the way in which the ideas about
spirituality make a lot of sense to me. I am not religious, but the idea of
a spirituality which is present in ordinary people, which can govern ones
life really appeals to me. The stories have also helped me to see how that
really is at work in some of the people I have met. Maybe my particular
interpretation of this in Salinger's work is personal, but I think it is one
of the things which draws people to the books, even if everyone sees it
differently. Actually, now I come to think about it, I'm finding it hard to
articulate. It is something which could probably use a lot more time and
attention if I am to do it justice. I would be interested to know how other
people see this aspect of the stories, which is obviously quite a major one.
This next bit is part of a really old thread, but that is because I am
cursed by the time delay on Britiah release dates for films. I just saw
Dogma, and I thought it was great. It's not hardcore philosophy or anything,
but I thought it raises some interesting ideas.
Anyway, too much time neglecting my studies :-).
Love, Lucy-Ruth
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