Posted by Steve on 09/21/07 13:14

"Shelly" <sheldonlg.news@asap-consult.com> wrote in message
news:13f78iu4crq850c@corp.supernews.com...
> Well said. We are the most intelligent animal on this planet. We are the
> first to know of our mortality almost from birth. I don't believe any
> other animal realizes that they, too, will die someday in the future.
>
> It is this knowledge of our own mortality that drove us to ask the
> question "why are we here?". In answer to that, we formulated the concept
> of "god". As we matured as civilizations, and our scientific understanding
> grew, a "god" explanation was needed less and less and so the concept
> became more and more sophisticated.
>
> I believe, though, that there is an ultimate limit to our understanding
> (even though I love science fiction). Let's call that "god". I believe
> we formulated something that actually exists. That is where you, Steve,
> and I differ. Does it change the way we live our lives? No. Does it
> make either of us a bad person? No.
>
> So, is there an afterlife? I doubt it, but cannot say with certainty. In
> the meantime, I will live my life the best way I can, and be the best
> person I can be. I will do it in ever increasing circles. First there is
> my immediate family. Next it is my relatives and close friends. Next it
> is my community, followed by my country. Finally it will encompass the
> entire world. I will do it for its own reward of "feeling good about
> myself". If there is an afterlife, then I will qualify simply by doing
> what I am doing now. If not, I still gain the rewards that I have and
> continue to have. Do I have to literally or figuratively "bow down" to
> some dead man and accept him as "god" to get there if it exists?
> Absolutely not!
>
> I am a practicing member of my religion because I (a) believe there is a
> God and, (b) far more importantly, want to associate myself with the group
> of people who are like me. I respect what religion has given me and take
> pride in associating with it and passing it down to my children. Does
> that blind me to other views and questioning? If it did, then I would
> lose that wonderful essence of what being human is all about. It is why I
> pity people like Herb and am disappointed in people like Jerry -- people
> who simply cannot remove their blinders and step out of their comfort
> zone.
>
> Steve, I disagree with you on atheism, but I fully understand your point
> of view. It is more rational than mine, but I am willing to take that
> "leap of faith", albeit from a point far, far futher down the road of
> logic that those others. Also, and most important, it works for me.
>
> Shelly
>
> P.S. How is it that the spelling in this post of yours is about 1000%
> better than most of your other posts? :-)

because i actually hit f7...a sure sign that i felt what i was saying was
important enough to check spelling. ;^)

[Back to original message]