BBC Blog Network

User Profile

Parrhasios

Listed below are comments made by Parrhasios between Saturday, 28th November 2009 and Thursday, 3rd December 2009 (7 Hours Ago) .

«Newer
Older»

Any mental reservations? 10:50am on 03 Dec 2009
Absolutely not!

I am saying that, rationally speaking, the notion of morality can only be understood as a tool. It is an apparently multi-function tool whose understood purpose is perspective dependent: some might see it as an umbrella while to others it is rather more of a cosh.

Thinking of a behaviour as either moral or immoral is delusional - utility is the only rational consideration.
36 Arguments for the Existence of God 10:17am on 03 Dec 2009
Peter - you know I am all about latitude! I have often noted the similarities in our expressed feelings but, of-course, rather than ever disagreeing with you, I can be content merely to understand what you are saying differently. I do also owe you a reply, not forgotten, on an earlier thread - apologies I have been very busy lately.

Proto - I think some such is probably closest to the mark. My aim is to put muscular Christianity in touch with its feminine side. Think fusion food for the soul: Celtic spirituality meets liberation theology.

My 'label' - because we are all agreed on the significance of labels - is ultra liberal, Anglo-Catholic, quasi-Marxist, Christian.

I will expatiate as soon as time permits.
Any mental reservations? 09:40am on 03 Dec 2009
Reason leads us to law and a penal code - reason, unadulterated by faith, can not possibly conceive of morality as anything other than a device by which the predatory strong cynically allay the instinctive wariness of those they would exploit, and with which the weak, sheltering themselves from the horrors of a hostile and meaningless existence, collude in their own deception.
36 Arguments for the Existence of God 8:26pm on 02 Dec 2009
Proto - may I also welcome you to our little on-line agapemnon?

First let me rush to poor Helio's defence - some of us are absolutely delighted when he uses terms like sky-pixie! You have no idea what an uphill struggle it has been for me to get him whole-heartedly to embrace his hind brain. I regard his use of emotionally charged terminology as a really hopeful sign: what you might see as provocative behaviour is really just a manifestation of his Kundalini awakening. ;-)

Now, a couple of minor corrections, if you don't mind my temerity. This community is very diverse and reflects a huge range of view-points.

You said in post 41 that you expected that we all valued truth. Not so. I have not a notion what truth is and attach not the slightest value to the concept. What does it add to any statement to say of it that it is true? What does it even mean?

Then, in post 48, you said only nutjob fundamentalists do not admit to doubts. Now I freely confess that nutjob might fit the bill but I don't think there are many on the blog who would consider me a fundamentalist and I do not have any religious doubts whatsoever. I accept completely and totally the reality of my God while regarding questions about His existence as utterly meaningless.
Any mental reservations? 6:52pm on 02 Dec 2009
I believe in empathy not morality. If it were a question of saving someone from the gas-chambers (or indeed anything even vaguely equivalent) I would tell an out-and-out down-right blatant lie without it costing me a first thought never mind a second one.

Mental reservation is an abject device used probably for little more than self-protection in the event of discovery by those whose sense of right and wrong, of proportion and balance, is so twisted and perverse that to name it morality debases language.
How do you sack a bishop? 10:52pm on 01 Dec 2009
Defenestration worked in the Middle Ages.
Any mental reservations? 5:42pm on 30 Nov 2009
I was once deceived by this technique myself. I was a governor at the time of my local primary school and we were appointing a new teacher. We wanted someone who would be able to help the Head take the kids to away football matches and athletics fixtures and all candidates were asked if they would be willing to do so. The successful applicant answered that he was indeed willing. It was only after the appointment had been made that we discovered that, while willing, he did not possess a driving licence and could not drive a vehicle of any description.

This was a Protestant teacher applying to a Protestant school - casuistry is not confined to prelates of the Roman Church.
Any mental reservations? 10:41am on 30 Nov 2009
It should not be a new concept to most Orangemen and Free Masons. Obviously the founding fathers of these organisations were wise to the wiles of popery.
:-)

Initiation obligations in both institutions require the candidate to swear that he makes his oath without equivocation or mental reservation.
Don't label me ... 11:53pm on 28 Nov 2009
My Christian advertisement slogan - "Love one another" - there might be a subtext but I could live with it. ;-)
Dublin child abuse report published 11:43pm on 28 Nov 2009
Smithy - I love the Bible story to which Helio refers on his website where Jacob wrestles with God to receive a blessing. Any examination of the history of the people of Israel, no matter how cursory, would show that a blessing from God can be a very mixed bag indeed. Jesus seems to have had similarly idiosyncratic notions of what constituted a blessing when he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. I am not sure what the comfort is in His promise Blessed are you when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake but assuredly it is evident to many of us reading your contributions here that, like the prophets, you are in and of The Kingdom.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

Parrhasios