[Buddha-l] Re: S. Pinker

[Richard P. Hayes]

On Wed, 2005-06-29 at 11:14 -0400, Stanley J. Ziobro II wrote:

> The dominant religious ethos in the 18th century was Christian, and it
> remains so today in the 21st century.

There is no reason to believe either of these statements. The question
of what a religious ethos is and what "dominant" means makes your claim
meaningless. In other words, what you are obviously trying to do is to
claim the USA for Christianity. I cannot think of a more offensive move
to make. 

> So, our nation is still basically a Christian one. 

A nation dedicated to greedy consumerism, unwarranted invasions of other
countries and abandoning its own poor and disenfranchised is Christian?
My understanding of Christianity is admittedly limited, but I had
thought that it was a religion that took a radical departure from the
values of the Romans.

> 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:).

That principle has been articulated by the Supreme Court on several
occasions, in the context of this very issue. So it is neither false nor
a red herring.

> But I am surprised that you would even pretend that you are taking my
> Hail Mary remarks seriously. 

I take it the Hail Mary comment was offered in jest, and I responded in
kind, as I'm sure you have figured out. No need to carry the joke any
further by pretending to have been joking when in fact you were being
serious.

> 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 evade questions much better than you answer them. (You have mastered
the art of imitating our esteemed president.) Let me ask again: From
what to what would you convert me or anyone else, even in jest?

-- 
Richard Hayes
***
"Books are useless to us until our inner book opens; then all other
books are good so far as they confirm our book."
        (Swami Vivekananda)