'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply..

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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by FBM » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:40 am

cowiz wrote:
FBM wrote:
cowiz wrote:Sounds a bit Buddhist
Very much so. And Taoist.

In Calvinism, wealth is a sure sign of God's blessing.


As for humility, modesty, etc, I don't know about anyone else, but I have a viseral negative reaction to show-offs, arrogant people, narcissistic people in general. It's not rational, though I could probably rationalize something ad hoc to 'explain' it (read: pull something out of my ass that sounds good).
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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by Hermit » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:45 am

Rum wrote:...there are some perhaps slightly more philosophical or esoteric values and virtues which we tend to think of as religious in origin. ...

Examples include the view that all personal ambition is ultimately about vanity and brings no happiness. That material wealth is empty and of no real intrinsic value. That modesty, quietness and internal peace are to be admired and aspired to.

And others of a similar type, which seem mostly to be around the notion that focusing on the personal ego does not ultimately bring happiness or contentment.

I wonder how these ideas fit with you as an atheist - or near atheist.
Do you really see these values as being religious in origin? I don't.
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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by hadespussercats » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:54 am

Rum wrote:I tend to agree with Psycho. It is simply an observable fact that money does not bring happiness and success doesn't bring satisfaction (for example) in all cases, perhaps in the majority. We are all still faced with the human condition - that mortality is our fate and ambition of any kind in the face of that fact is futile. In which case, without the asceticism of religion, the goals offered by self sacrifice and mortification, we are fucked.

That's OK though, whoever said we were meant NOT to be fucked - its still an amazing ride!
Money might not be able to buy happiness, but it can sure as hell buy relief from anxiety, depression, poor health, and want.

I have a theory about a perfect level for each person-- enough money not to worry, but not so much it brings its own worries. I don't know what ours is. Enough to pay our bills, save for Sprog, keep me looking cute, travel a bit, have some fun...

I think we could probably have quite a bit of money without it feeling like too much!
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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by Lion IRC » Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:58 am

Not an atheist or near atheist so.....
:pop:

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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by Svartalf » Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:17 am

FBM wrote:
cowiz wrote:Sounds a bit Buddhist
Very much so. And Taoist.

In Calvinism, wealth is a sure sign of God's blessing.


As for humility, modesty, etc, I don't know about anyone else, but I have a viseral negative reaction to show-offs, arrogant people, narcissistic people in general. It's not rational, though I could probably rationalize something ad hoc to 'explain' it (read: pull something out of my ass that sounds good).
Funny how a guy who railed against how the church went after money said that wealth is proof of being blessed... ergo, the church being obscenely wealthy and its Princes enjoying it as much as secular lords was proof that the Church enjoyed divine favor.
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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by FBM » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:20 am

Yeah, funny how that worked out, innit?
"A philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. A theologian is the man who finds it." ~ H. L. Mencken

"We ain't a sharp species. We kill each other over arguments about what happens when you die, then fail to see the fucking irony in that."

"It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism while the wolf remains of a different opinion."

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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by kiki5711 » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:13 am

I think, somehow, that sex becomes extremely boring in the plush, large bed, everything neat and pretty, nothing out of place, bedroom. I think people like dirty, back of the truck, in a trailer, in a broom closet, kind of thing. Or is that just me? :ask: :ask: :ask: :thinks:

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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by Azathoth » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:33 am

Image
Outside the ordered universe is that amorphous blight of nethermost confusion which blasphemes and bubbles at the center of all infinity—the boundless daemon sultan Azathoth, whose name no lips dare speak aloud, and who gnaws hungrily in inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond time and space amidst the muffled, maddening beating of vile drums and the thin monotonous whine of accursed flutes.

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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by kiki5711 » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:36 am

Facebook IPO: Shareholders Continue To Sue Mark Zuckerberg For Allegedly Holding Back Over Nasdaq Debut
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/0 ... 72246.html

getting filthy rich comes with a price. I guess it was all pretty good until it went viral. :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by mistermack » Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:13 pm

If you want the TRUE explanation for all of those values, don't look to religion, look to evolution.

Religion is just a reflection of our genes. Evolution gives you every single value you ever experienced.

In a tribal or extended family group, there can only be a small number at the top. And it's dangerous to fight for the top spot.
So it's a real survival tactic to NOT WANT the glory or power, to be content with what you have.
Many fight for the top spot, and many get killed or maimed in the attempt. So many of our ancestors have passed on their genes because they didn't have that urge, they kept out of trouble.
We have some genes from every type of individual.
That's why we have all sorts of competing values and emotions.
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Re: 'Spiritual' and religious values which might still apply

Post by Tero » Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:06 pm

No, Rum, he who has the most toys wins. Ask Seth, or the 1%. And you have to produce enough heirs that the gubment does not get the toys.

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