Saturday, September 15, 2007

Want me to respect your religious beliefs? I kindly refer you to Pat Condell:



Thanks, Pat. I couldn't have possibly said it better.

(More scandalously on-target Condell videos here.)
Posted by at
Labels: ,

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The guy has generalized all religous belief to be fanatical. The generalization is convenient. However, it is a manipulation of his audience (who probably does not question him due to their faith in him).

Stan

5:28 PM
Mac said...

All religious beliefs may not be fanatical, but they're certainly not warranted by anything approaching the definition of "evidence." One could argue that that itself is a worrisome trend toward fanaticism.

12:54 AM
Anonymous said...

Paradoxical I know but I would worship this guy any day ;)

LOVE his rant and generally we need more of this kind of thing saturating the airwaves. Before it's too late.

Denny

2:18 PM
Mac said...

Denny--

I spent about an hour watching this guy's videos -- all of them pointed, witty and blisteringly accurate.

4:35 PM
Anonymous said...

It is not a question of "evidence". He is making broad generalizations about religion that amount to no more than manipulations of his audience. Yes, I agree that there are some groups that fit his description, but only some. He is looking for a following. I give him no respect whatsoever (as he would say).

Stan

10:13 AM
Anonymous said...

the guy is so full of fear and anger: you can hear it in his voice. he is terrified of death and the void, so he projects and acts out. its sad really. of course alot of religion is bogus, but if the alternative is being a terrified weasel like this guy id rather be a mujahadeem

12:42 PM
Mac said...

He is making broad generalizations about religion that amount to no more than manipulations of his audience.

Huh? One of the reasons I like this guy -- as opposed to some others -- is his basic respect for his listeners. I don't hear fear or condescension; I hear a bright, compassionate guy speaking his mind.

11:04 PM
Anonymous said...

He says what, to me, is the obvious.

As such, perhaps his spiel is intended for those on the cusp of conversion from religion to something more rational and existential. I dunno, try Buddhism for a change of pace. I don't think, as anon above supposes, that the guy is terrified of death and the void. I'm not. I accept it as inevitable.

And, as an _invitation_, considering the alternative, to see and enjoy each and every day as much as is humanely reasonable, within the usual survival mode rigors and requirements. Carpe diem!

I think Condell is righteously pissed about those who use their religion in all too _human_, not holy, ways, such as to distinguish themselves and their beliefs as not just superior to others, but to be used as a tool to subvert the intent and desire of others who may disagree, belong to another belief system, or not believe in belief systems.

Nor is religion, any longer, required for its paternalistic, organizational, and "civilizing" affects and influence.

If anything, now, religious belief systems, especially the more fundamentalist, activist ones, like certain elements of Islam and Christianity, particularly when their goals and beliefs conflict, may today be one of the most retrograde, inhibitory, and devolutionary processes now extant and active. Look at the history of war in the Middle East.

Even factions of some Shiites can't get along with other Shiites. Sheeesh. I think Pat Condell is saying what needs to be said to those of both faith and uncertainty.

I respect the separation of church and state, and respect the right to worship, but I also wish to be able to exercise my "life-essence" as I see fit, and not subject to the arbitrary potential condemnation of others who believe things that are not true. Provably.

One does not need religion for either moral or ethical guidance. One can be or hold oneself to an ethical and moral framework at least as honorable as those derived from mainstream religious belief and faith.

I would suggest an even higher ideal is possible: that those of faith can and should be allowed to believe what they want, and that someday they may be as tolerant toward those who do not believe, but seek out the truth, whatever it may be, as they are to their "fellow man" of faith.

So, there you have it. Condell neither upsets or sooths me. I've thought similar ideas for many years, among others.

He's just voicing his opinion, bolstered by facts and experience. In America, if you don't agree with someone, say so. It's your right. But don't tell me Condell hasn't got the same right, or is delusional. He's trying to show you what's truly delusional, that impugns your very nature, and what the alternatives may be.

Just as there are more independent voters registered now than either Democrats or Republicans, a fast-growing segment of non-political philosopy is agnosticism or atheism.

While I consider atheism a form of belief system also (there can _be_ no god), and am an agnostic by comparison, I would suggest that with the rise of understanding of deeper, truer aspects of reality, thanks in large part to science, institutional religious systems with their inherent rigidity and inability to adopt new findings that might conflict with or contradict their primary beliefs, will slowly become perceived as even more obsolete, for many, increasingly, than is already the case today.

He is right/on. In this day and age of global warming/dimming, ecological disaster, overpopulation and its related damaging effects on the planet and its ability to sustain not just us, but all higher life, within the next hundred years or so, I'm surprised he's as calm, direct, and "insufficiently angry" about current human reality as it is.

But, then, he's a rationalist, hoping to persuade by reason. As difficult and Quixotic as that may seem, we need more people speaking up and taking action to identify and attempt to repair the problems we face.

Extinction is the real alternative, which might suit some "afterlife" believers just fine, but please don't try to speed that horrifying prospect up any more than it naturally seems to be occurring. Hi ho. We have 10 years left before the tipping point. Enjoy! But also give voice and ACT! Before it is too late. 8^}

1:04 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)