tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post8306358367532035138..comments2024-03-27T14:50:47.345-04:00Comments on <center>Sandwalk</center>: Douglas Adams Speaks About ReligionLarry Moranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05756598746605455848noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-56031754198675468432007-05-31T22:13:00.000-04:002007-05-31T22:13:00.000-04:00Eamon Knight you have completely missed the point....Eamon Knight you have completely missed the point. The chosen example expressed by Mr Adams was not that of a personal nuance of switching a light on, on a Saturday. He refers to Orthodox Jews, who believe any work on the Sabbath is against their religion. There are specific tenements about what constitutes work , one governing this is the idea that completing a circuit or using electricity is against their religion, it constitutes the rule of "acts of creativity" and to some violates the very rule of "make fire" <BR/><BR/>It would pay you well to research Orthodox Judeism, and in fact other religions before wading in and offering opinion on them. It is much akin to religious groups debating against science without having any specific knowledge on said science.blokemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03743028972386571434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-62608258654131254302007-03-20T04:30:00.000-04:002007-03-20T04:30:00.000-04:00I feel religion is the most "no-go" subject of th...I feel religion is the most "no-go" subject of them all, because, if one is religious, then that religion permeates all aspects of one's life, including one's ability to view things from a rational prerspective. The problem with religion was most starkly outlined for me in the moivie dogma, where Chris Rock's character points out that it's better to have a good idea, than to believe, because faith leaves no room for growth, most especially blind faith.<BR/><BR/>Religionists appear to belive there is some kind of honour in believing blindly, while I can only view it as stupidity. No offence intended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-72493963567633458602007-03-13T11:03:00.000-04:002007-03-13T11:03:00.000-04:00I disagree that religion is uniquely protected fro...I disagree that religion is uniquely protected from open dispute. As other commenters have pointed out, contra Adams, politics is also not a "safe" subject (unless the Brits are more sanguine about it than North Americans).<BR/><BR/>I also think his chosen example is a poor one. The deference with which you choose to treat the light switches in your house is on par with your taste in wallpaper or which nights you have sex with your spouse -- None Of My Business, and it would be rude of me to criticize it. That's not to say that religion should be immune to critique in any and all contexts (and Dawkins provides examples in TGD of places where religion does get an illegitimate free pass), but the nitty-gritty of personal rituals ain't it (may as well criticize my insistence on having a large mug of tea right after breakfast, every morning, without fail).Eamon Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04262012749524758120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-89783995440434486592007-03-13T07:08:00.000-04:002007-03-13T07:08:00.000-04:00Other subjects that share this "bend over backward...Other subjects that share this "bend over backwards" quality with religion: in the U.S., race relations; in Canada, natives/aboriginals and to a lesser extent, language (French vs. English).<BR/><BR/>These subjects share to some extent or other the quality that one is born with these characteristics or inculcated in them by parents when too young to critically assess the information (that would also include politics for most folks). So criticizing another's religious beliefs, politics, native language, or ethnic group has a quality of "Yo momma!" about it, and thus it's not at all surprising that these are subjects less susceptible than many others to rational disagreements.judmarchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111006189037693272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-37251153689955768472007-03-12T18:58:00.000-04:002007-03-12T18:58:00.000-04:00Douglas Adams was a remarkably intelligent and ins...Douglas Adams was a remarkably intelligent and insightful chap. I miss him. If you get a chance, someday pick up and read his book <I>Last Chance to See</I> about looking for, and at, several very endangered species of animals. <BR/><BR/><I>What is it about religion that makes us bend over backwards to avoid offense? </I><BR/><BR/>Very deeply-ingrained training, coupled with common sense. How often have you heard this line, or something like it: "there are two subjects that are always guaranteed to start an argument: religion, and politics"? Everybody knows religion is the third rail of personal interactions, so everybody stays away from it except in two circumstances: 1) when you're among people whom you know all believe the same way you do; or 2) when you're explicitly trying to convert others to your religion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com