[lit-ideas] Re: Better to have had faith
- From: "Andy Amago" <aamago@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 09:09:25 -0400
My point is that if one doesn't believe Vishnu or Christ are gods, is one
of that poly/mono religion? I grant you not all monos are rigidly dogmatic
either (Unitarians perhaps). That doesn't preclude the necessity of
subscribing to the religion's bylaws, whatever they are, for inclusion in
the club. Unitarians have to believe, for example, that god is a soft
fuzzy in the sky or they cannot be Unitarians. Why would someone pray
to/bother with (insert god name here) if they didn't believe this
supernatural power could offer them help/entertainment/guidance/a shoulder
to cry on/eternal bliss or some other thing?
> [Original Message]
> From: John McCreery <mccreery@xxxxxxx>
> To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 5/27/2005 5:36:52 PM
> Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Better to have had faith
>
>
> On 2005/05/27, at 12:21, Andy Amago wrote:
>
> > A.A. All people who follow soccer are passionate; some are
> > hooligans. But
> > all people who follow religion *must* subscribe to religion's terms
> > or they
> > cannot be in the club.
>
>
> Andy,
>
> With all due respect, you have an exceedingly parochial view of
> religion. Demanding commitment to dogma as a criterion for membership
> that excludes membership in other "clubs" is characteristic of the
> monotheistic religions that originated in southwest Asia. It is far
> from the norm worldwide. Where religions are polytheistic, e.g., in
> South and East Asia, dogma plays second fiddle to practice and
> multiple, overlapping memberships are the norm.
>
> Plus, even the monotheistic religions generally allow considerable
> leeway in the beliefs that people actually subscribe to. Yes, it is
> true, there are enthusiasts who insist that this or that belief is
> absolutely essential and also broad agreement on certain notions,
> e.g., Christianity's view that Christ is the Son of God and the
> Saviour. But there's lots of flex and blur in what people actually
> mean when they articulate these beliefs.
>
> John McCreery
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