tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post7881258190261711156..comments2024-03-28T09:59:13.754-07:00Comments on bionic mosquito: Burn the Boats on the Beach bionic mosquitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-54417453784775774632019-11-04T06:42:51.616-08:002019-11-04T06:42:51.616-08:00In support of Roger's and Bionic's argumen...In support of Roger's and Bionic's argument that those who think they do not have a religion still do have a religion, as in they still have plenty of things they take from others (past and present) on faith and still have a belief system about what the ultimate authority is and what form of morality it condones, I present the following <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgk8UdV7GQ0" rel="nofollow">brilliant argument</a> from the venerable Mac MacDonald, renowned bouncer and co-owner of Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia (pardon the swearing).A Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-67848878316013945002019-11-02T15:47:03.831-07:002019-11-02T15:47:03.831-07:00John Howard, thank you for responding.
First thi...John Howard, thank you for responding. <br /><br />First things first. I never said that I was amused by people who insisted that they had no religion and no god. I said that I was amused by those very same people who sought to discredit other people because they openly embraced their own religion. Huge, huge difference! <br /><br />Next, it seems to me that you have failed to address my argument directly. Instead, you have resorted to using third party authorities (dictionaries) to make your case. Because these authorities do not define ‘religion’ as I have, according to your point of view I am wrong. Therefore, my argument is wrong and you are vindicated without ever having to raise a valid counter. <br /><br />After I read your note, I actually looked at numerous dictionary definitions and it appears to me that you are somewhat correct, but not every definition of religion is the same. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition_of_religion), for instance, goes into depth on this subject with the very first sentence of the article stating that, <br /><br />“The definition of religion is a controversial subject in religious studies with scholars failing to agree on any one definition.” <br /><br />Further down, it states that,<br /> <br />“Scholars have found it difficult to develop a consistent definition, with some giving up on the possibility of a definition."<br /><br />In other words, there is no agreed-upon definition of religion. Dictionaries may come close, but they cannot shut the door on alternative explanations, which means that until my definition of religion is conclusively proven false, it may be assumed to be true. In fact, I dare say that my version is as good as anyone else’s, including yours. It is up to you to prove otherwise and, if you undertake this challenge, I expect you to make your arguments on their own merits. Cavil all you want to (https://www.thefreedictionary.com/cavil), but until you raise a substantive argument, you will not be taken seriously. <br /><br />Now, you insist that you are not religious and have no god. The question remains, however, what and for whom you are living your life for and to what purpose. What do you believe in? Who is most important? What is THE ONE THING which you absolutely will not compromise, over and against everything else which you will? Identify that, if you can, and I will say you have found your ‘god’. Furthermore, your confession that this is what you believe (and believe in) will define your own religion and that will inform the way you live your life. <br /><br />I stand my ground. Everyone believes in something, everyone’s life is an affirmation of that belief, everyone’s affirmation is the practice of their religion. No matter what it is, the concept is inescapable. It’s not a matter of ‘religion vs. no religion’, but rather which religion do we follow. <br /><br />One final note. A lack of a belief is still a belief. You may not believe the same way I do, but you still believe. <br /><br />“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”--Rush, from the song “Freewill”Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156823478509665137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-23778107974369266342019-11-01T05:35:50.569-07:002019-11-01T05:35:50.569-07:00But when I check the dictionary, I find that "...But when I check the dictionary, I find that "religion" does not mean what you say it means as any of its primary definitions, nor does "god" mean what you say it does. Redefining words so that you can say something that is simply not true - that a lack of a belief is a belief seems pointless to me.<br /> <br />It may amuse you that I insist that I am not religious and do not believe in god, but your amusement appears to be based on a misuse of language to form a logical contradiction.John Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826480541002960583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-1533325103925723352019-10-31T14:13:01.100-07:002019-10-31T14:13:01.100-07:00What can I say? I'm a hallway kinda guy (in th...What can I say? I'm a hallway kinda guy (in the C.S. Lewis sense)! A Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-19932124379434723702019-10-31T11:53:09.096-07:002019-10-31T11:53:09.096-07:00B'Skeeter wrote: "...never has the sovere...B'Skeeter wrote: "...never has the sovereign individual manifested itself as the primary form of governance..."<br /><br />That would be because of the axiom: 2 > 1. Can 2 people do more than 1? How much more can 20 people working together do, compared to 1 person? While there are situations where this idea doesn't hold true, those situations are the special exceptions.<br /><br />The "I am sovereign" individuals understand this, at least unconsciously - do they not congregate in groups of like-minded people in order to better assert their "sovereignty" - and do not such groups have a leader of some sort? Those libertarians who scream "I am sovereign" and yet group together like that are complete hypocrites. Like the communists who believe that the state will "wither away" once the perfect communist utopia is created, these people would have you believe that, at some point, their organization will "wither away" once the perfect libertarian utopia is created.<br /><br />Rubbish. <br /><br />There will always be power-hungry sociopaths in the world, silver-tongued devils who sway the masses. And there will always be the need for liberty-minded individuals to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to resist and overcome them.<br /><br />BTW: I stumbled on a video that's pertinent to this conversation and, at the same time, is easy to understand. This is a broadcast, written and delivered (originally) by C. S. Lewis in 1942 - it has been converted into a "Doodle-mentary" by the BBC. The broadcast itself is based on "Mere Christianity, Book 2, Chapter 3:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxzuh5Xx5G4 <br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />PS: ATL, are you agreeing with the heretic? I am shocked! Come to the dark side (we have cookies!) :-)Woody Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07174366266746908252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-18043831065111013102019-10-31T10:18:59.845-07:002019-10-31T10:18:59.845-07:00My instincts are to accept everyone. I've only...My instincts are to accept everyone. I've only come to be hesitant in this regard after being confronted with the reality of the situation regarding race, sexuality, gender, etc.<br /><br />Just because someone is black doesn't make them a Democrat, and I'd stand next to a black conservative brother in arms for Christ any day before a liberal white progressive.<br /><br />Now if someone has two or more victim group identities, such as black and gay, or Jewish and trans, you can pretty much write them off. LolA Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-32321863740436814842019-10-31T06:42:30.259-07:002019-10-31T06:42:30.259-07:00ATL, I also laugh out loud whenever one such story...ATL, I also laugh out loud whenever one such story pops up. This will be one of the flashpoints, it seems to me. I notice that woke sports TV (e.g. ESPN, etc.) never touches such stories - even thought they promote most other topics of wokeness in sports (they are trying so hard to make women's professional soccer a major sport, for example).<br /><br />To your last paragraph, I think the first alliance might be among those who are rational - there are many on all sides of the spectrum (political, religious, etc.) who look at this insanity and desire its end - instead wanting a place that recognizes the fundamental nature of man and his place in the world.<br /><br />Wait...I should say man and woman...and gay man and lesbian woman...and minority gay man and...oh no...now they have me doing it!<br /><br />:-)bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-10527114338510609032019-10-31T06:30:32.471-07:002019-10-31T06:30:32.471-07:00Woody, Christianity is rejected by many libertaria...Woody, Christianity is rejected by many libertarians because "I want to be in charge; I am sovereign." <br /><br />This is chanted so often that the reality of the exact opposite escapes them: never has the sovereign individual manifested itself as the primary form of governance. To the extent an individual is in charge, it is never the individual chanting "I am sovereign."<br /><br />Someone or something will always be in charge, and unless you are among the worst tyrants in the world, it can never be you (meaning the chanting libertarian "sovereign").<br /><br />Christianity insists that you are not in charge - this cannot be accepted by many (most) libertarians, just as it cannot be accepted by the intellectual atheists / modernists.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-13927725508638006662019-10-31T05:34:50.047-07:002019-10-31T05:34:50.047-07:00Woody,
I agree that having a humble heart is key ...Woody,<br /><br />I agree that having a humble heart is key not just for liberty's sake but also for our soul's; a prideful heart is not going to be too willing to believe in Christ's miracles or to pledge fealty to Him as King.<br /><br />I think you and I would agree that there are some things we can know to be true and that we must know to be true in order to repair our sense of justice, our civilization and our relationship with God.<br /><br />Of course there are still many mysteries out there, and we should recognize them as such. God did not create a dull universe.A Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-782354483808767222019-10-31T05:26:34.264-07:002019-10-31T05:26:34.264-07:00Yup. One obvious (and hilarious) battle of the vic...Yup. One obvious (and hilarious) battle of the victims coming to the fore is feminism vs transgenderism in sports. How are feminists going to argue against males competing in female sports as 'women' (and obviously dominating) when they are supposed to believe we're exactly the same? Time to reexamine your beliefs.<br /><br />When the 'eat each other' moment happens, hopefully those of us serious about liberty can find the courage and the numbers necessary to break away from the chaos and carve out our own political order. A Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-58987274380751755982019-10-30T11:11:36.666-07:002019-10-30T11:11:36.666-07:00Bionic, to tell you the truth, I don't really ...Bionic, to tell you the truth, I don't really understand why libertarians are so stuck on rejecting Christianity out-of-hand. Why can't we entertain the idea that perhaps Christianity was not established to be a tool of the state, as it became a couple of centuries after Christ and the apostles were taken away. Why, the very essence of Christianity is liberty! Didn't Jesus suffer to make repentance accessible to all, thus FREEing us from the eternal consequences of offences against God and man? Didn't Jesus die so that all could be FREE from death? Didn't He teach that the truth will make you FREE?<br /><br />Are we looking for liberty or only liberty as we understand it? Are we really so arrogant to assert that everything we think is true? I mean, come on people!Woody Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07174366266746908252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-539615825307571542019-10-30T08:39:18.223-07:002019-10-30T08:39:18.223-07:00Woody, I have lost at least one very close online ...Woody, I have lost at least one very close online friend because of this. Occasionally you will find some comments along the lines of this criticism here at this blog.<br /><br />I have no doubt that - to the extent I am known to them - I am a pariah to the mainstream libertarian community...as they are to me.<br /><br />They are enemies of liberty.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-62916207520472827612019-10-30T08:35:45.985-07:002019-10-30T08:35:45.985-07:00ATL, I think this is right. I think it ends when ...ATL, I think this is right. I think it ends when all of the victim groups consume each other for the rank of the biggest victim. They are going to eat each other alive (unfortunately along with a few of the so-called privileged as well).<br /><br />bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-75816263802878177342019-10-29T12:44:06.627-07:002019-10-29T12:44:06.627-07:00"... excluded from mainstream academic though..."... excluded from mainstream academic thought as “too Christian.” He starts writing, but then decides that he might make matters worse – realizing that his book will also be deemed too Christian ..."<br /><br />Bionic, are you not also in danger of being deemed "too Christian" by the Libertarian community? You have pointed out in several posts (I forget which, I'll have to hunt them down if you don't remember) that the best example of a free, libertarian society was during the Christian middle ages, especially around what is now Germany and that the admixture of Christianity with German culture had a lot to do with that. Just mentioning that Christianity plays a part in creating a free society is sure to put many libertarian panties in a wad!<br /><br />Apparently, you too, will be burning your boats whether you like it or not!Woody Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07174366266746908252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-41493430580568473892019-10-29T12:31:17.112-07:002019-10-29T12:31:17.112-07:00At all times and in all places, the state appropri...At all times and in all places, the state appropriates religion to its own ends - it either uses an existing religion or the state becomes the religion. In what other way could you convince millions to sacrifice themselves in senseless war to the state's benefit?Woody Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07174366266746908252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-73119986064909090872019-10-29T11:57:13.987-07:002019-10-29T11:57:13.987-07:00One thing I think that is very interesting as it r...One thing I think that is very interesting as it relates to Girard's work is the concept of the scapegoat or victim, how he is viewed by society, and how the prevailing narrative surrounding him effects the concentration of power in the state. A lot of what follows was inspired by your work Bionic.<br /><br />The scapegoat used to be persecuted in order to grow the power of the state. All the evils of society are placed on one individual or group, they are cast out or destroyed by the state and society is now unified and 'cleansed'. Because the state is seen as the savior of society for purging the scapegoat, it can afford itself more power and authority. We saw a re-emergence of this with the Nazis and Communists.<br /><br />But Christ broke the mold, demonstrating how the whole scapegoating process is unrighteous and unhealthy for society. We can now look upon the scapegoat with compassion and rebuke the mob for persecuting him, because our own Lord and Savior was once in that position. Notice how this denies the old machinery of the consolidation of power in the state. Now, when the state persecutes a minority group, we find compassion for them and exert pressure on the state to change its behavior, to diminish its power. <br /><br />So how does one grow the state in this sort of environment?<br /><br />This is the story of the modern left. You invent a million different ways people are being victimized, and then you weaponize Christian compassion (or its ghost) for the victim by funneling it through the state to again make the state the savior rather than Christ. It works best if you choose 'victims' whose 'oppressors' are specifically those most ardently opposing the consolidation of power in the state (specifically Christians).<br /><br />I think it's another, if not the supreme, instance of "corruptio optimi pessima" or the corruption of the best is the worst.<br /><br />Perhaps the completion of this cycle is when all the various expanding victim groups consolidate power and use the state to scapegoat the now minority 'oppressive class'. Then we're back to the old formula. A complete inversion of Christ, as if He never interrupted the cycle.A Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-54335043972140317602019-10-29T07:50:03.061-07:002019-10-29T07:50:03.061-07:00You would have to listen to the Tom Woods intervie...You would have to listen to the Tom Woods interview. They guy explains the claim better. Basically, the state is inaugurated by violence/human sacrifice, which was religious ritual. Then he defines religion broadly as community action. So there is an implicit thing becoming an explicit thing when the state itself is worshipped. But you have to listen to it yourself to determine if he is right or wrong.<br /><br />RMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13603112499567064214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-76951260216757819702019-10-28T20:06:32.259-07:002019-10-28T20:06:32.259-07:00Wouldn't it be better said that WORSHIP of the...Wouldn't it be better said that WORSHIP of the State is a form of religion and that worship of the State becomes THE religion when men no longer believe in (a)God which is higher than the State? When men believe that the State takes precedence in all things, then they will worship the State AS God. <br /><br />Nature abhors a vacuum. Something must fill the space if God is displaced. That something is Man, collective Man, known today as the State. The world worships it and the world is going to pay the price. Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156823478509665137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-50784996725224474142019-10-28T16:40:07.300-07:002019-10-28T16:40:07.300-07:00That would be "you're," not "yo...That would be "you're," not "your." Do better when calling others stupid.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-54520196712186453072019-10-28T16:38:34.786-07:002019-10-28T16:38:34.786-07:00Please point to where I have written that the only...Please point to where I have written that the only path one might be persuaded to liberty is through Christianity.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-35543130824018707722019-10-28T11:14:05.443-07:002019-10-28T11:14:05.443-07:00I normally post as Dave Schuman, i have your blog ...I normally post as Dave Schuman, i have your blog on my bookmarks. I read regularly, i just have felt the blog has gone in a very religous direction and it has put me off a little. Being rude and dismissive is neither polite nor instructive. <br /><br />Faithful and regular reader,<br /><br />Dave Schuman Schueyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04232403843503910978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-76745448109844657722019-10-28T07:22:48.480-07:002019-10-28T07:22:48.480-07:00Live by Christian rules and die by Christian rules...Live by Christian rules and die by Christian rules. jews and Muslims think your stupid. Non-Christians do too.Pandoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11645347146331389106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-85259635870538447492019-10-27T19:31:17.231-07:002019-10-27T19:31:17.231-07:00Also, Christians can't be afraid of sounding t...Also, Christians can't be afraid of sounding too Christian. Salvation only comes from the gospel. Salvation ranges from the personal relationship with God, to relationship with others, to the structure and operation of society as whole: ethics, politics, economy.<br /><br />To do away with the Christian gospel is to do away with salvation, in every aspect.RMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13603112499567064214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-36750859058285786982019-10-27T14:46:01.082-07:002019-10-27T14:46:01.082-07:00Girard has also said that the State can't exis...Girard has also said that the State can't exist without religion. Or the State is form of religion. Following that, the State becomes THE religion of a society when it tries to be secular.<br /><br />I see that everywhere around me.RMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13603112499567064214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-63762531583809478742019-10-27T14:33:33.936-07:002019-10-27T14:33:33.936-07:00Schuey,
"...you surely agree individuals ma...Schuey, <br /><br />"...you surely agree individuals maybe persuaded toward liberty not by Christianity alone."<br /><br />I have never written otherwise.<br /><br />"...i love the blog and check it regularly..."<br /><br />Obviously not.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.com