[Buddha-l] S. Pinker (linguist, cognitive psychologist)

[Stanley J. Ziobro II]

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005, Richard P. Hayes wrote:

> On Tue, 2005-06-28 at 15:29 -0400, SJZiobro at cs.com wrote:
>
> > I think your criteria for determining whether the USA is nominally a
> > Christian country or not differ from mine or from the Founders.
>
> State your criteria and give me evidence showing they have been met. As
> for the founders of this nation, they had such a wide range of views
> that it is pure mythology to depict them as agreeing on the matter of
> religion. Besides, what any of the founders believed in the late decades
> of the 18th century could not possibly be binding on us in the first
> decade of the twenty-first century, so drop that red herring before it
> begins to stink.

Determining the religious orientation of a nation is not restricted to
constitutional provision.  In the absense of such the criterion becomes
what the dominant religious ethos is among the populace.  Regarding
religion our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and subsequent constitutional
ammendments do not articulate the presence of an officiaal State Church,
but rather its absense.  This omission was intentional, deliberate, and
judged right by the Founders in order, among other considerations, to
allow the greatest freedom of religious observance among the people.  The
dominant religious ethos in the 18th century was Christian, and it remains
so today in the 21st century.  So, our nation is still basically a
Christian one.  As for your blanket statement that what binds in the 18th
century cannot possibly be binding in the first decade of the 21st
century, that is a red herring, and its obvious falsity stinks:).

> > The Hail Marys are a capital idea; I'll say them for your conversion,
>
> Conversion to what from what? I am already dedicated to cultivating
> virtue in every way I can. Is it your plan to convert me to seeking
> vice?

Only if you consider that certain forms of virtue are in fact vices would
this be the case.  But I am surprised that you would even pretend that you
are taking my Hail Mary remarks seriously.  My only real desire is that
all people be able to nurture what is condusive in their lives to
authentic peace, well-being, and happiness.  You don't have to be bothered
that my personal judgment of what this constitutes may differ from yours
now, do you?

Virtuously yours,
Stan Ziobro