The Most Dangerous Idea in the World
there are a fairly good number of contenders for the most dangerous idea in the world. generally i think that it simply the belief that there is one exclusive right way of existing in this world. but to be more to the point, it seems to be the function of the world religions to explain that exclusive way to live and in consequence attain salvation from what we can probably all agree isn't the most wonderful existence imaginable. no doubt the religions help us feel better about ourselves. certianly some degree of what happens as a direct result of them is all very nice and positive.
8 comments:
Second comment! (I think)
For me, it'd be slightly different; the belief that there is one right way to think (and that I know it).
But that's just my belief...
Do you have in mind here a sort of post modernist critique along the lines that any certian way of thinking will not be better than other ways of thinking?
See my thought here is that religions don't *necessarily* prescribe a particular way of living as the only right way; at least in one sense of that phrase. Well, Christianity doesn't anyway, in my opinion, or shouldn't. That is, it doesn't say 'everyone should participate in capitalist entrepreneurship' or 'no one should' or 'everyone should become educated to tertiary level' or 'everyone should support right wing politics' or even 'everyone should give up their possessions and help the poor' (at least I don't interpret Jesus as saying that to *everyone* - some may disagree.) Rather, it gives a few principles by which a person can figure out their own 'best life' according to their will, ability and circumstances. (Plus there's the spirituality thing but I'm not quite sure how to include that in this discussion.)
In any case it does seem to me plausible enough that a few principles of this kind *might* be needed that can be universalised (ooh dangerous word!) in order to guide behaviour and co-operation generally.
Hm, seems like I've reduced Christianity down to almost nothing here doesn't it. Like its only function is to get people started along the path of thinking about how they want/ought to live. But anyway, just a thought.
Ok yeah not sure that was coherent. Maybe wishful thinking. Meh.
religion provides a person guidelines, so to do parents, schools, drug dealers, prognosticators etc. but with these guidelines comes subjectivity ie they vary greaty from person to person. i think dealing drug to children is bad perhaps out drug dealer does not. i think religion can be misused and are wary of its doctrine, a religios person is not. basically your experiences and influences add to yuor moral code and the way you beleive you should act or think. idiosyncratic value systems.
Kat: The thing I more had in mind was what we saw at action in that movie the mission you showed me. Where the jesuits were off converting native tribes to christianity. Of course the nasty people came along too, and did the same thing in a far more bloody fashion.
Somewhat related:
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-C.S.Lewis
Nato, etc: Just rethinking your suggestions. It is interesting to consider how the idea that there is one right way to think connects with the idea that there is one right way to live. So often it seems that the way people live directly flows on from the way they think.
And seems we're playing at quotes:
"It is hard to have a Southern overseer; it is worse to have a Northern one; but worst of all when you are the slave-driver of yourself." - Thoreau
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