Comments on: Heavenly Hosts

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:53:19 +0000

Hi Pete,

Yes, I saw that item, and was going to dash off a post about it today, most likely.

Thanks!

By: the one eyed man

the one eyed man — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:48:38 +0000

You will no doubt be gratified to hear that those who share your views (of which I am one) are getting the word out:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/05/atheists.christmas/?iref=mpstoryview

By: the one eyed man

the one eyed man — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:38:30 +0000

Pat:

Best way to reach me is peterkranzler@gmail.com

By: PDG

PDG — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:24:39 +0000

Thanks Pete-
I’m not likely to be traveling anytime soon-I’m in a fix with no job right now and really slow sales at my web-site-(www.pdgart.com)- But I stay optimistic and am working to improve the well-fare system in Atlantic City -where i live now- I remain a political activist and try to address the situations that i come across and get in the face of those who are screwing it up- the corruption is what i go after -which is rife in New Jersey-
maybe you can send me yr email and -we can communicate off Mac’s site-(Thanks Mac )-

see ya in cyber-space bro!-Pat

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:30:53 +0000

Hi Addofio,

No, I was not attributing consciousness to idea-systems. As for intentionality: yes, obviously ideas are about something — but they require a host.

Such idea-systems as religions are indeed cleverly designed, but there is a mindless process that can do the design work. I would not credit the cleverness to the ideas themselves, any more than I would credit the design of a bird’s wing to the bird.

I do not think of us as “mere” anything. We are quite remarkable indeed, I think.

As for your second paragraph: others have criticized me as you have, but you are the latest, and yes, it was you I was responding to.

I understand that it is hard to find the time for all of this; I have the same problem too. Please take your time. I will be keenly interested to hear what you have to say, when you find the time to say it.

By: Addofio

Addofio — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:33:12 +0000

Two quick comments: one, it strikes me that in this post, you attribute more intentionality and consciousness to idea-systems than, in other posts, you have been willing to attribute to individual human beings. Hm-m. Interesting. I can only wonder at why you might prefer to think of idea systems as having intentionality and cleverness, while considering me (and yourself) as mere pawns in a deterministic universe.

Second: in case I find the time (which I may not–we are coming up on end-of-semester crisis time at work) to respond to this in more detail and greater thoughtfulness, is to me you are referring (perhaps among others) when you say “in the case of religious criticism alone I am charged with failing to respect other people’s humanity. Not their absurd ideas, mind you, but their very humanity itself”? If so, I shall try to clarify just what I am saying and why I am saying it (if I find the time).

By: the one eyed man

the one eyed man — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:08:52 +0000

Yo Pat! Best regards to you too! Let me know if you are ever in the Bay Area.

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:48:41 +0000

Thanks Pat, and the same to you.

By: pdg

pdg — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:45:48 +0000

please see my comments in Its my party thread-

and let me take this moment to wish you well Mac & send my love and best wishes to Nina as well as the kids-

I also send my best to Peter

and the rest of yr fine friends here- it is a fine place on the web to limber up the brain pan and voice one’s thoughts on the many interesting topics you offer-

peace to all -Pat