Posted by mattdds on October 19, 2003, at 19:20:57
In reply to 84y.o. kidnapped, BIG reward 4 advice PLEASE!!!!!, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 19, 2003, at 13:00:35
Michael,
I'm very sorry about your situation. You seem very angry, understandibly. I really hope you find a solution to your problem. I'm also sorry that I don't have any advice - it all seems very complicated, and I'd hate to give the wrong advice.
I must admit, I don't fully understand everything you wrote - especially about the references to "metaphysical killing" and other rites you practice in your religion. Have you always held these beliefs (e.g. that you can somehow kill animals / people from a distance)? Or did these develop recently. I hope I don't rub you the wrong way in this post, I don't want to suffer metaphysical death! This sounds creepy (even though I have no idea what it means)! Forgive me if I sound unintelligent for not understanding. I did give your post a couple of reads and still am a bit confused.
I really don't have any religious beliefs, to speak of, so don't write me off as biased just yet. I was raised Christian, but now I really don't believe in anything (all religions seem roughly equally arbitrary and unfounded, IMO).
I write more because I'm concerned about what seems to be an extremely rapid shift in your reasoning. I read your post 3-4 times just to make sure nobody had hijacked your posting name.
All your posts are so helpful and intelligent, and you are a great contributor to this board. Just yesterday I noticed you were posting very normal sounding things, but now all this hatred, and talk of tele-killing?
I understand your animosity toward religion. I ditched my faith long ago after realizing that I was needlessly torturing myself for things that were considered "bad". I suffered a lot of unnecessary trauma.
Now you are arguing that anybody who subscribes to Christianity is "unintelligent" and evil somehow. Could it not be that they are just doing what they sincerely feel is best (even if it is arbitrary or superstitious in our opinion)? Perhaps viewing extreme religiosity as a disease would help with feelings of anger.
I think people are people, and to write off a whole group of people as stupid, unintelligent and "sheepish", as you put it, will only feed the viscious cycle of hatrid between people of different religious convictions (remember, you apparently have your own set that is equally unprovable).
Please don't feel put down by anything I've said, I hope you can feel that I'm genuinely concerned. I think you're a kind person, and quite obviously highly intelligent. It bothered me all day to see this post and how angry you are. You've made a great contribution to this board. Please reconsider whether your feelings of hatred are productive. I think acting on these feelings of anger would be counterproductive, no matter what religion or belief system you subscribe to. This is not to say you have no right to protect your interests; you certainly do and should! I just think you would do well to reconsider your approach.
I sincerely wish you the best.
Matt
PS - I apologize for the wandering / blabbering format of my post. To be honest, it has taken me a long time to digest what you said, and I'm still trying to articulate a response.
poster:mattdds
thread:270843
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031015/msgs/270928.html