RE: Ash Wednesday
February 28, 2009 at 8:34 pm
(This post was last modified: February 28, 2009 at 8:36 pm by Oldandeasilyconfused.)
"padraic like I said it's a pretty stupid tradition.I am shocked they did not take the entire ritual and drag it into todays practice."
Your opinion,not mine. We obviously have different perceptions. An assertion based on personal incredulity is a logical fallacy, a form of argument from ignorance. .
My perception is based primarily on formal study.A basic premise of such studies is that ritual and religion are crucial to most of humanity.All have their own internal logic. The reasoning behind most religion is based on the syllogism.Logically valid ,but with an unjustified inference,due to faulty information.
You also seem to be implying that your own beliefs (or lack) are superior,perhaps because they're based on empirical logic. With respect,they are not superior,merely different. It is also my position that in principle reason has little if anything to with the formation of one's belief system. Reason and logic are more commonly used after the fact, to justify any and all beliefs and behaviour.
Ritual body markings are found in many cultures for reasons as diverse as status and protection. Such markings are often permanent in the form of tattoo or scarification,or even permanent maiming, as in circumcision. Personally I find our cultural habit of disfiguring the body with piercings and tattoos pretty stupid.But I understand it's usually only preening behaviour, part of human mating behaviour and/or of group membership.. Of course in some exrtreme cases it may indicate a pathology.
I'm not suggesting your opinion is necessarily wrong,but that you have merely asserted your opinion. That you have not made a case for that opinion.
I guess we may need to agree to differ.I have nothing more to say on the matter. I'm merely stating a different opinion,not starting a argument.( In my experience real debate is rare on internet forums.)
Your opinion,not mine. We obviously have different perceptions. An assertion based on personal incredulity is a logical fallacy, a form of argument from ignorance. .
My perception is based primarily on formal study.A basic premise of such studies is that ritual and religion are crucial to most of humanity.All have their own internal logic. The reasoning behind most religion is based on the syllogism.Logically valid ,but with an unjustified inference,due to faulty information.
You also seem to be implying that your own beliefs (or lack) are superior,perhaps because they're based on empirical logic. With respect,they are not superior,merely different. It is also my position that in principle reason has little if anything to with the formation of one's belief system. Reason and logic are more commonly used after the fact, to justify any and all beliefs and behaviour.
Ritual body markings are found in many cultures for reasons as diverse as status and protection. Such markings are often permanent in the form of tattoo or scarification,or even permanent maiming, as in circumcision. Personally I find our cultural habit of disfiguring the body with piercings and tattoos pretty stupid.But I understand it's usually only preening behaviour, part of human mating behaviour and/or of group membership.. Of course in some exrtreme cases it may indicate a pathology.
I'm not suggesting your opinion is necessarily wrong,but that you have merely asserted your opinion. That you have not made a case for that opinion.
I guess we may need to agree to differ.I have nothing more to say on the matter. I'm merely stating a different opinion,not starting a argument.( In my experience real debate is rare on internet forums.)
