Einstein killed science. That bastard.

[hohum]

catachrestic, aka Peddler of the Mundane, asked me:

I'd be interested in an entry about the central themes from your study of religious studies that you find most intriguing, which inspired you to pursue the field, or which you are focusing your own work or thoughts in. How has your view of religion been shaped by certain facts you have learned? Which

Comments

[catachrestic]

One initial follow up question after reading your post.

You are ardent in this entry to admit that your understanding and studies are far from complete. You express an openness to being wrong and to alter your opinions at a later date, etc.

My question is this: Do you think there will ever be a time when a better understanding allows you to pass more confident judgment over certain beliefs, positions, etc?

In other words, I think your ethic of open-mindedness is admirable, and your willingness to change your opinions over time is good too. But how tied are these values to the fact that you feel like you don't yet have a firm enough understanding of things to pass judgment?

Is it possible to come to a good enough understanding of something to pass judgment? For instance, when I make arguments against religious beliefs, I make those arguments from an understanding of what those religious beliefs entail. Certainly, if I don't have a good understanding of those beliefs, my argument can easily be shown to be inadequate, and I will

[hohum]

This is going to be a fast, maybe muddled response, because I have to hop off here in just a bit. I think that's a very good question, and essentially, yes. I think anyone who's achieved a broad, in depth understanding of a subject will naturally have more refined and balanced judgments about it. I make plenty of judgments now, but they don't tend to last; they change rapidly because I'm constantly incorporating new knowledge, which ripples throughout my brain affects everything else I know. So I do deal out judgment, but with a light fist, and it will probably be that way for a long, long time, considering that knowledge is sorta like infinite and stuff. But however vast my base of knowledge is, I don't think my understanding of religion, politics, etc. will ever lead to summary dismissals of belief systems (or positions) altogether, and I think it's important to see the good, not just the bad. Without that basic recognition, where is a conversation ever gonna go? Probably to network news. Without respect, there's an insider/outsider

[catachrestic]

Taking the time to appreciate something doesn't necessitate that you will, in fact, appreciate it

[hohum]

Taking the time to appreciate something doesn't necessitate that you will, in fact, appreciate it.

I think it does, but I should clarify what I mean by "appreciate." I don't just mean "understand," or "let's look at this viewpoint until a halo circumscribes it." I mean empathize, too. I think empathy necessarily follows from taking the time to listen to different point of views, even when further examination doesn't lead to agreement. I think endless wanking is more likely to result when empathy is sidelined

[johnnyfavorite]

you are a smart girl. even if you get bored with livejournal again, i'm going to endeavor to keep us from getting out of touch for a year and a half. heh!

the problem with metal music, as i see it, is the audience it's crafted for. it's not that a lot of it isn't well-made, because i'm sure it is, but that it's aiming at a spot on the ground where i don't want to be.

here is something pretty crazy i wrote about religion a few years ago. i don't think i still believe all of it, but the concepts are still familiar to me.

[hohum]

When you say audience, do you mean that you avoid certain "scenes"? See, I rarely go to shows. I primarily just listen to music on my own, so avoiding scenesters isn't a big deal for me. :D My issue with metal is how it sounds. I need someone to say, "Listen for this and this. Wait for it, wait for it... oh godddd, did you hear that?" And after I miss it, they can expound, and we can listen to it again.

I read your old entry. I really enjoyed your thoughts on prayer, and I think it'd be interesting to hear an update on what you believe now. I'd certainly comment on it.

religion answer

[johnnyfavorite]

this is kind of bad: i actually didn't read all of that old entry i wrote before i linked to it. heh! but i did just now, so i can decide how much of it i still believe in

music answer

[johnnyfavorite]

i also tend to consume music in private, and then discuss it with others later or maybe not at all, so scenes are not an issue for me either. what i meant was, by listening to music, i can reverse-engineer who the intended audience is

[redcalx]

My take on religion goes something like... Belief in a religion confers an advantage towards societies by way of social cohesion and organsation. Human psychology has evolved to allow for belief in religions including the acceptance of ideas and 'facts' that don't stand up well to critical thought or empiricial evidence (increasinly so in modern times as human knowledge has expanded

[hohum]

Your first thought reminds me a lot of Emile Durkheim's views on religion. "God is society, writ large."

I don't know what you mean by evolved psychology, but it's definitely true that our technology has evolved, and our ideas about the world as well.

I found your "side note" interesting. I'd never considered that before.

I didn't realize that people at the top of the world's power hierarchies gave a damn about religion. People that invested in power, I suspect they aren't terribly Jesus-y. Maybe I am wrong.

I completely agree with your assessment of how non-Christians tend to look at Christians. Their attention goes to the extreme loudmouths, not the people quietly living a pious life.

[redcalx]

> I don't know what you mean by evolved psychology

good blog

[anonymous]

Really.

Re: good blog

[hohum]

Thank you, Anonymous.