Well Daniel, you have certainly packed a lot of ‘meat’ into that narrative ‘container’! I have found myself engaging with, and wanting to comment on, so many discreet portions that I; 1) hardly know where to begin (perhaps, the ‘beginning’?) or, 2) how to address all of the most significant points without the response being overly long to the point of seeming pedantic. As the day is still young here in NW Florida, I’ll hope to circle back to this and offer at least some observations to certain elements. But, regardless of whether I do or not, I wanted to acknowledge and thank you for crafting such an interesting, thought-provoking, piece of writing. Kol Hakavod!
May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, bless, guide, and keep you - together with all Israel - in this dark and evil day. Love, Mike
Love the explanation of the Islamist narrative: so clearly articulated. As for the rest -- a lot to digest, like all of Western history summed up in one blog. One thought that kept coming to my mind while reading was that it's not only about the individual in the modern world of Western Enlightenment; it's also the social contract. I'm thinking that's where the collective ideal comes from; that's how we strive for a better way.
Agreed; that was a great quotation (my head of department at Rutgers, Professor McCormick, would give me a verbal slap if I used "quote" as a noun; isn't it funny how 45 years later I still think of that? (No disrespect intended Frau Katze . . . I'm just being silly; everyone uses "quote" your way.)
‘Science has proven itself wrong again and again' claim some of the followers of Religion. But this is not true. Science accepts Theory is only provisionally true in the (limited) cases of a Theory’s limited postulate sets, that is to say, true in the limited cases. In the Open Cosmos, Theory is only ever true for limited numbers of cases presently observed. Then postulate sets have to be expanded to include reasons for new observations, if the new observations don't fit Theory. This is why Cosmology, as a subject, is forever (infinitely) expanding. This is The Axiomatic Method, and The Scientific Method. Thus Newtonian Physics gives way to Einstein, who gives way to what comes next. Best Wishes.
Yes!!! For me, a diehard atheist, religion is still useful as . . . a narrative. It is, after all, the story we tell about ourselves, our understanding of how life works, how societies work, etc. etc. Even the observant Jew cherry picks from the Torah (although they may not admit to it) -- I don't see anyone advocating we stone anyone to death; or enslave anyone either. The reason is, that as cultures mature , they alter the narrative and that is as it should be. We don't want to be stuck in the Bronze Age. Problem with Islam is, although it may have changed a bit from the time of the Qu-ran to the time of the Hadiths, it hasn't changed much since then. Islam is in great need of an upgrade, hardware and software.
We do have an Equivalent here in The West, of Islam as a dangerous Religion: Scientology, which is a totalitarian Racist Cult at its core, complete with violent mores and beliefs, and stern (celestial) punishments for Non-believers and Apostates. This Cult has been backed by Nazi Elements in The CIA since the 1950's in the USA and internationally, using the equipment to insert 'Dreams' whilst the target is asleep to give bogus religious experiences and the like: All in the nastiest traditions of the old totalitarian religions, but thankfully now in the record.
It is wild, but we are going to have to get used to what The State gets up to when The State goes Dark-side! All true I assure you! The CIA has had such kit for many years now: pretending to be Religious whilst actually Fucking people over with these Plays: Missing Kings, Manchurian Candidates, Beasting Targets, CoIntellPro and all of this stuff. (Sorry to sound a bit weird!) Best wishes.
'The One God, all powerful, and merciful', is the contribution of the Judeo-Christian tradition, which has survived and still thrives today. There is an absolutely valid place in Science for tests for Deity, just as there is for each of the many competing accounts of Cosmology.
Well Daniel, you have certainly packed a lot of ‘meat’ into that narrative ‘container’! I have found myself engaging with, and wanting to comment on, so many discreet portions that I; 1) hardly know where to begin (perhaps, the ‘beginning’?) or, 2) how to address all of the most significant points without the response being overly long to the point of seeming pedantic. As the day is still young here in NW Florida, I’ll hope to circle back to this and offer at least some observations to certain elements. But, regardless of whether I do or not, I wanted to acknowledge and thank you for crafting such an interesting, thought-provoking, piece of writing. Kol Hakavod!
May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, bless, guide, and keep you - together with all Israel - in this dark and evil day. Love, Mike
Thank-you so much. I look forward to reading your further comments!
Lovely.
I agree with Mike below. This one was a head-full.
Thanks Richard!
This is a needed and hopeful essay-thank you
Thank-you Christi.
The more I think about it, the more this concept of "the narrative" is just so eloquent and -- useful! Thanks for this.
Thanks Robin.
Love the explanation of the Islamist narrative: so clearly articulated. As for the rest -- a lot to digest, like all of Western history summed up in one blog. One thought that kept coming to my mind while reading was that it's not only about the individual in the modern world of Western Enlightenment; it's also the social contract. I'm thinking that's where the collective ideal comes from; that's how we strive for a better way.
“Islamic history is running in reverse.”
Great quote. They have to eliminate Israel to restore their pride and honour.
Agreed; that was a great quotation (my head of department at Rutgers, Professor McCormick, would give me a verbal slap if I used "quote" as a noun; isn't it funny how 45 years later I still think of that? (No disrespect intended Frau Katze . . . I'm just being silly; everyone uses "quote" your way.)
‘Science has proven itself wrong again and again' claim some of the followers of Religion. But this is not true. Science accepts Theory is only provisionally true in the (limited) cases of a Theory’s limited postulate sets, that is to say, true in the limited cases. In the Open Cosmos, Theory is only ever true for limited numbers of cases presently observed. Then postulate sets have to be expanded to include reasons for new observations, if the new observations don't fit Theory. This is why Cosmology, as a subject, is forever (infinitely) expanding. This is The Axiomatic Method, and The Scientific Method. Thus Newtonian Physics gives way to Einstein, who gives way to what comes next. Best Wishes.
Yes!!! For me, a diehard atheist, religion is still useful as . . . a narrative. It is, after all, the story we tell about ourselves, our understanding of how life works, how societies work, etc. etc. Even the observant Jew cherry picks from the Torah (although they may not admit to it) -- I don't see anyone advocating we stone anyone to death; or enslave anyone either. The reason is, that as cultures mature , they alter the narrative and that is as it should be. We don't want to be stuck in the Bronze Age. Problem with Islam is, although it may have changed a bit from the time of the Qu-ran to the time of the Hadiths, it hasn't changed much since then. Islam is in great need of an upgrade, hardware and software.
We do have an Equivalent here in The West, of Islam as a dangerous Religion: Scientology, which is a totalitarian Racist Cult at its core, complete with violent mores and beliefs, and stern (celestial) punishments for Non-believers and Apostates. This Cult has been backed by Nazi Elements in The CIA since the 1950's in the USA and internationally, using the equipment to insert 'Dreams' whilst the target is asleep to give bogus religious experiences and the like: All in the nastiest traditions of the old totalitarian religions, but thankfully now in the record.
Whoa. Never heard of that insert dreams thing.
It is wild, but we are going to have to get used to what The State gets up to when The State goes Dark-side! All true I assure you! The CIA has had such kit for many years now: pretending to be Religious whilst actually Fucking people over with these Plays: Missing Kings, Manchurian Candidates, Beasting Targets, CoIntellPro and all of this stuff. (Sorry to sound a bit weird!) Best wishes.
'The One God, all powerful, and merciful', is the contribution of the Judeo-Christian tradition, which has survived and still thrives today. There is an absolutely valid place in Science for tests for Deity, just as there is for each of the many competing accounts of Cosmology.