RE: Rant against anti-atheist agnostics.
September 23, 2014 at 6:57 pm
(This post was last modified: September 23, 2014 at 7:31 pm by Whateverist.)
The ones that gripe my ass are too ballsy. They are insufficiently agnostic.
I'm inclined to agree with Rhythm in this. I'd rather have him for a friend and a neighbor in the situations he describes. The idea of writing anyone off as a vehicle for the betterment of the many doesn't sit well.
Frankly my overwhelming reaction to this idea of vicarious redemption is that it is so primitive. I think of islanders tossing a virgin into the volcano with enthusiasm. Any interpretation of a wisdom story that turns the listener into a mere observer can't be right. Why tell the story at all if there is nothing to do but be grateful, admit your inadequacy and feel puny?
There is a sense in which it is sometimes wise to acquiesce. There is a sense in which it is sometimes wise to be open to wisdom greater than your own. But there is no wisdom in ever deciding to abdicate your agency for all time to a 'greater power'. If you are that powerless then you haven't the ability to correctly choose the bible or any other authority.
I'm inclined to agree with Rhythm in this. I'd rather have him for a friend and a neighbor in the situations he describes. The idea of writing anyone off as a vehicle for the betterment of the many doesn't sit well.
Frankly my overwhelming reaction to this idea of vicarious redemption is that it is so primitive. I think of islanders tossing a virgin into the volcano with enthusiasm. Any interpretation of a wisdom story that turns the listener into a mere observer can't be right. Why tell the story at all if there is nothing to do but be grateful, admit your inadequacy and feel puny?
There is a sense in which it is sometimes wise to acquiesce. There is a sense in which it is sometimes wise to be open to wisdom greater than your own. But there is no wisdom in ever deciding to abdicate your agency for all time to a 'greater power'. If you are that powerless then you haven't the ability to correctly choose the bible or any other authority.
