Instead of an Atheist Thought of the Week, and since this is my blog, I would like to ask a question. I have read an article or two on the consequences of Obama losing the election, with a hint there may be some rioting in some or all of the major US cities. That would certainly be a less than a favorable outcome under this premise. In one article it was put as perhaps being like the rioting after Rodney King was beaten by police. But what if he won? And then some ignorant, deep south, raving racist lunatic from perhaps Mississippi or Louisiana, though not limited to just those two states, managed to kill him. What kind of rioting would come of that? One can only hope it won't come to that. But I fear, though we as a nation have made great strides in learning to live together as civilised peoples, it has not been so long as to be certain there is not one or more determined racist that will not brook a black man as President.
The premise just outlined to you is not original with me. A friend who has more time to think of such things as I do put this in my head. It is something to wonder about and prepare for if only somewhat minimally however you may think you should where you live. Where I live I doubt anything will happen as I live in a very rural area of Middle Georgia, but the Cities of Macon and Atlanta a little north and just a bit farther north of me respectfully could see some outcries of injustice. And let's not discount the power and ability of Jesse Jackson and Louis Farrakhan to exacerbate any situation to deadly proportions.
As it gets closer to November we should all think about this and prepare accordingly. Hopefully the election will go smoothly and the loser will be graceful and nothing else will come about as a result either way. But chance favors the prepared mind and perhaps that is all I am really saying here.
Good night, Gracie!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
Atheist Thought of the Week
I've been thinking about Atheist Quote of the Week and have decided to change it to Atheist Thought of the Week. I've done this to emphasize that I'm not merely trying to present a quote by an atheist writer or thinker, which is what I am doing precisely but, I do this more for the hope anyone reading the offer would also think about what is being said.
This week's offer comes from Sam Harris. It is from his book "The End of Faith." Amazon.com Choosing something by Harris was difficult. He has many interesting thoughts and insights throughout his book but I am forced to parse and paraphrase somewhat in order to get the idea across here but in fewer words than Sam used in his book. It is not to say that he is long winded but rather that the kernel of the thought I wish to get across here doesn't need the entire 300 words of the paragraph he used, hence the late posting here, usually on a Thursday has taken me into Friday this week. So without further ado, here's Sam with an interesting thought about religion and how, and why, it affects us all.
"Our situation is this: most of the people in this world believe that the Creator of the universe has written a book. We have the misfortune of having many such books on hand making an exclusive claim as to its infallibility....All are in perverse agreement on one point of fundamental importance, however: "respect" for other faiths, or for the views of unbelievers, is not an attitude that God endorses....Intolerance is thus intrinsic to every creed....Certainty about the next life is simply incompatible with tolerance in this one." Page 13, Paperback Edition, Copyright 2004
The ellipses indicate I have skipped an entire intervening sentence to get on to the more supportive statements made. It is worth your while to acquire the book and read the whole of it, the book that is, and not just the paragraph.
This week's offer comes from Sam Harris. It is from his book "The End of Faith." Amazon.com Choosing something by Harris was difficult. He has many interesting thoughts and insights throughout his book but I am forced to parse and paraphrase somewhat in order to get the idea across here but in fewer words than Sam used in his book. It is not to say that he is long winded but rather that the kernel of the thought I wish to get across here doesn't need the entire 300 words of the paragraph he used, hence the late posting here, usually on a Thursday has taken me into Friday this week. So without further ado, here's Sam with an interesting thought about religion and how, and why, it affects us all.
"Our situation is this: most of the people in this world believe that the Creator of the universe has written a book. We have the misfortune of having many such books on hand making an exclusive claim as to its infallibility....All are in perverse agreement on one point of fundamental importance, however: "respect" for other faiths, or for the views of unbelievers, is not an attitude that God endorses....Intolerance is thus intrinsic to every creed....Certainty about the next life is simply incompatible with tolerance in this one." Page 13, Paperback Edition, Copyright 2004
The ellipses indicate I have skipped an entire intervening sentence to get on to the more supportive statements made. It is worth your while to acquire the book and read the whole of it, the book that is, and not just the paragraph.
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