> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-virus@lucifer.com
> [mailto:owner-virus@lucifer.com]On Behalf
> Of ncashen@klondyke.net
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 1999 9:17 PM
> To: virus@lucifer.com
> Subject: Re: The Myth of medicine, mysticism and magic was -
> RE: virus:
> BraveNew World
>
>
> carlw wrote:
> >
> > Ummm, did the alliteration not indicate to you that the
> observations were
> > made with my lingualis hard against my Buccinator? As it
> is, your reply
> > certainly opens up some interesting lines of thought.
> >
> > As I have suggested before on this list, I find the "golden rule" a
> > perfectly adequate basis for an ethical system, so IMO
> preach on (and as the
> > Wiccan's might say) "and you (will) do no harm".
> >
> > It is only worthwhile listening rather than speaking only
> so long as the
> > speaker is making sense, especially in an environment where
> potentially
> > susceptible people are present. I rather think that the
> relatively few
> > rational people in the world owe a duty to themselves and
> their descendants
> > to attempt to promote rationality in the face of unreason.
> The forces of
> > "faith" may not be particularly knowledgeable, persuasive
> or literate, but
> > they are strong in numbers and the underlying idea pushed
> by most belief
> > systems, that its members can "have it all" without needing
> to work is a
> > strong attractor to the demagogue. After all, the purveyors
> of this claptrap
> > are quite secure from ever having to deliver on "richness
> in heaven". All
> > that rationality offers is that if you work hard and think
> carefully, that
> > you could have a lot of fun, may make some money in the
> here and now, and
> > that other rational people will possibly respect you.
> >
> > In this forum, there are a number of vociferous people who
> seem to me to be
> > attempting to convey the impression of being "elder
> members". In my opinion,
> > if one is in an environment such as this, and one does not
> speak up when
> > these wanna-be-leaders talk nonsense, if one then remains
> silent, then one
> > conveys a sense of undeserved countenance, approbation and
> justification to
> > these willful proponents of nonsense. While I am attempting
> to decide
> > whether to remain on this list or to leave, I am making sure that my
> > position remains clear. Approval (even passive approval) of
> people who
> > attempt to use reason to attack reason and cannot see or will not
> > acknowledge the impossibility of their position, is the
> last thing I intend.
> > If as you seem to imply, this position is a sham, then it
> is the most
> > obscenely malevolent unethical display I have ever had the
> misfortune to
> > observe. Fascinating though it may be, it is like watching
> a snake playing
> > with a young bird.
> >
>
>
> What's your problem, Hermit? Is this an appeal to reason or just a way
> to glorify your personal hang-ups?
>
> --
> Bad taste makes the day go by faster.
> Andy Warhol
>
A very transparent response to Tim's comments and questions. I don't think I
was pleading, and don't think I have any hang-ups to glorify. What is your
problem? You cannot understand that somebody doesn't feel the need to play
games and hide behind multiple false projections? I am sure there are
adult-english literacy classes in your area!
TheHermit