[Buddha-l] Re: Pinker

[Bshmr at aol.com]

[ Receiving Digest instead of individual emails, my responses lag. It is not 
an issue, unless I get the urge or ire to respond. ]

>>>{SJZiobro at cs.com}: The dominant religious ethos in the 18th century was 
Christian, and it remains so today in the 21st century.
>>>

>>{rhayes at unm.edu}: ...

>{SJZiobro at cs.com}: That said, I see no grounds for reasonably disagreeing 
with the historical record. 
>

What I heard: "According to myself, I see no reason to change my view?"

The historical record that you speak of is a cultural distortion, confusing 
military domination and economic exploitation for trying to replace the beliefs 
of those considered stupid though noble savages. 

Instead of Christian, one could make a solid case that 'craziness' has been 
the dominate force since 1490. In fact many, if not most, of the migrants to 
the New World were forced there because of 'craziness' which resulted in their 
being ostracized from their homelands or allowed to chase grand visions. 

> Accordingly, the fact that there are Christians who do not live up to the 
demands of the Gospel does not nullify that reality that they are Christians; 
they are simply benighted or unfaithful. 
>

Let's pretend that I say that I am 'tall', perhaps even professing so in 
'chat rooms', international boards, and in Op/Ed pieces. I was more 'tall' than I 
am now. I even go to conventions as well as shop in stores for the 'tall'. 
Most others would agree that my behaviors (speech and non-speech for example) 
would be inconsistent or conflicted, plus conclude that I was 'not tall' by 
common standards. The delusion and pretense on my part would be obvious consensus 
reality if this were the case. 

Now, substituting 'Hindu' or 'Christian' in place of 'tall' doesn't alter the 
process; living is still chock full of delusion and conflict for me plus 
those enabling. Any claim of an exception supposedly due religious belief would be 
superstitious. 

Before I forget: In reverse, one could claim that I was an unfaithful 'tall' 
or benighted 'tall' or closet 'tall' or even 'TINO'; but, only the last 
approaches something useful.


rbb


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