Trust or Fear?

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Absolutely!

But not really what I was trying to say.

All these people holding their candles are they shedding light, or are they making a coca cola advert? The great visionary leaders are in some sense allowed to rise, just so they can be shot down. Just to remind us what will happen to us if we pay more than lip service, if we dare really raise our heads above the parapet and threaten the reigns of power. Power is never held by those we should trust to weild it. And the truth is more than ever we are impotent to try and change it. So we hold our candles when really we should be forming a wall of bodies round the parliaments and senates and holding seige till we acheive our aims. But putting ones neck on the line is something few have the courage for, I do not know that I have it despite my many arrests for acts of civil dissobediance. Holding a candle, doing a selfless act is going to make a tiny, though often significant to those being helped, difference to the big picture. But you cannot trust power. And you cannot trust all the people with their candles to actually make a stand, most of them will use the light to make a fast gettaway to the comfort of their own disstopia.

tao

Tao, I just don't really know how to respond to such cynicism. You're right, people may have courage one moment and run away when the going gets too tough. But I don't think that means those small acts were worthless, just making bubbles, I think they add up to real change. And, in my experience, the message from religion, and the transformation that comes from spiritual practice, both work to increase courage, charity/agape, and healing among people.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Tao, I just don't really know how to respond to such cynicism. You're right, people may have courage one moment and run away when the going gets too tough. But I don't think that means those small acts were worthless, just making bubbles, I think they add up to real change. And, in my experience, the message from religion, and the transformation that comes from spiritual practice, both work to increase courage, charity/agape, and healing among people.

Yeh its really working. Thats why 1000s of people die every week in religiously motivated murder. Thats why ministry leaders across the world collect Ferraris and Rolls Royces whilst preaching that only their message can deliver salvation. Send me your money. I'l send you a candle.


tao

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

collect Ferraris and Rolls Royces whilst preaching that only their message can deliver salvation. Send me your money. I'l send you a candle.


tao

YouTube - Hellalujah - Insane Clown Posse (Lyrics)

Give god the first portion of ya income! SAY DAT WID ME !!!

(Caution harsh language)

god has asked you to make me rich

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Yeh its really working. Thats why 1000s of people die every week in religiously motivated murder. Thats why ministry leaders across the world collect Ferraris and Rolls Royces whilst preaching that only their message can deliver salvation. Send me your money. I'l send you a candle.


tao

Thousands die every week due to non-religious violence and motivatin, hundreds die every day due to simple starvation, often linked to corrupt governments and petty political skimrishes. Thousands of religiously motivated people give their time, money and lives to bring aid and comfort to those stricken regions in the world. The vast majority of ministers and religious leaders live modestly, and often much more modestly than the culture around them.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Thousands die every week due to non-religious violence and motivatin, hundreds die every day due to simple starvation, often linked to corrupt governments and petty political skimrishes. Thousands of religiously motivated people give their time, money and lives to bring aid and comfort to those stricken regions in the world. The vast majority of ministers and religious leaders live modestly, and often much more modestly than the culture around them.

Yes I agree. The truth is that both points of view are valid. But for me the price we pay to have religions is one definitely not worth the price. Without these religions the good people could still do good, but the bad ones would be deprived of their primary tool of brainwashing and coercion.


tao