[lit-ideas] Re: Free Stuff from Philosophers
- From: "John McCreery" <john.mccreery@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:34:05 +0900
On Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 5:45 AM, <wokshevs@xxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Query: Is religion an institution that divides us from each other and
> occludes
> our essential shared humanity and dignity, or does it harbour the
> possibility
> of uniting us together, across political and ideological differences, in a
> kind
> of cosmopolitan citizenship where we are all equal members of a Kingdom of
> Ends?
>
Historically speaking, no religion exists that does not define itself in
contrast to others of various kinds, unbelievers, heretics, adherents of
other creeds, etc. No religion has ever united the whole of humanity across
political and ideological differences. That said, some religions, e.g.
Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam have shown themselves capable of creating
common ground among peoples of many different political and ideological
persuasions. Whether this is a glass half full or half empty, I leave as a
question for further discussion.
John
--
John McCreery
The Word Works, Ltd., Yokohama, JAPAN
Tel. +81-45-314-9324
jlm@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.wordworks.jp/
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