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From: garys@bunkerb.UUCP (Gary Samuelson)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Response to rlr's summary
Message-ID: <260@bunkerb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Nov-83 17:47:34 EST
Article-I.D.: bunkerb.260
Posted: Fri Nov 18 17:47:34 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 20-Nov-83 19:25:27 EST
Lines: 50

My comments regarding Rich Rosen's summary:

1.  I have no proof that there is or isn't a god.

Then why assume that there isn't?  Why call those who think there
is childish (and other unpleasant things)?

2.  There seem to be rampant assumptions ...

...on the part of both believers and unbelievers.

3.  The power of belief in god has been demonstrated.  But the power seems to
	stem from the act of believing, and the feeling one gets from this
	act.


4.  The notion of human beings free to make their own choices is very
	dangerous to the existing power structure, not just to religion.
	...  What we need is an accommodation for all individuals and
	not a single imposed morality that befits a less free age.

How do you propose accomodating those individuals who disagree with
you?  Do you wish to accomodate the thieves, murderers, rapists, etc.?
Or are you going to impose some kind of morality on them?

5.  I believe in science.

If you mean you think science has, or can find, the answers to all of
humanity's problems, I disagree.  If you mean you think that science
is an effective tool at discovering answers to certain questions about
the way the universe operates, I agree.  If you mean you think that
science can discover WHY the universe operates the way it does, I
think I disagree.

	"Do unto others" is a good idea BECAUSE IT WORKS
	IN THE REAL WORLD!!!!  Not because it says it in a book...

Other ideas also "work" in the real world:

1. Do unto others before they do unto you "works" (sometimes).
2. He who has the gold makes the rules "works" (a lot).

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" does not
always "work" in the real world.  Not long ago there was a
discussion in this group concerning that fact.

In other words, it is not sufficient that an idea "work".

Having enjoyed the discussion,
Gary Samuelson