tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.comments2021-10-11T04:18:46.301-05:00Well, Maybe NotDanielle Gaitherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-39734900639205836962011-04-16T06:53:29.564-05:002011-04-16T06:53:29.564-05:00I thought this was going to be a post on Enlighten...I thought this was going to be a post on Enlightened Debauchery, it's a short phase and utterly meaningless but, at times, quite funnumber7https://www.blogger.com/profile/14896683625570134466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-33145697484643065992011-03-07T11:24:37.971-06:002011-03-07T11:24:37.971-06:00Great to see that you're meeting these amazing...Great to see that you're meeting these amazing people at Vedanta. I hope to move back to Dallas and explore Vedanta in more spiritual context. Let's see....!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11716200716410508907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-35433457940070199672010-12-23T11:22:28.501-06:002010-12-23T11:22:28.501-06:00So, how did it turn out?So, how did it turn out?Ben Idehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17213239487981083133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-49179033831046789122010-12-23T11:14:35.319-06:002010-12-23T11:14:35.319-06:00This is heartening. I might try to do the same.This is heartening. I might try to do the same.Ben Idehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17213239487981083133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-7379565577317912892010-09-03T07:13:27.966-05:002010-09-03T07:13:27.966-05:00Good blogGood blogAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855854327263054172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-6646194252599478022010-03-04T06:56:00.690-06:002010-03-04T06:56:00.690-06:00I feel very comfortable believing this. I am a par...I feel very comfortable believing this. I am a part of the universe. My entire body was once star dust hurling through space and time for 14 billion years. That is a universal force I can believe in and I find it so humbling and incredibly beautiful. I am stardust, converted into the right combination of amino acids to create for a very brief period of time a living human being.<br /> And when I die, I will return to the earth and the earth will one day be destroyed and everything that I am or was will return to the stars. Now that is a powerful, amazing, and incredibly beautiful thought.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00964461402938512947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-76225445622237124652010-02-03T21:23:24.211-06:002010-02-03T21:23:24.211-06:00Thanks for your comment! I, too, am enjoying what ...Thanks for your comment! I, too, am enjoying what I've read so far. I'll probably have a full review up sometime next week. To me, it's kind of a shame that many freethinkers freak out about anything remotely spiritual, whether that particular term is used or not. I guess it goes to show that no one is completely immune to irrational fears!Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-74432930384532820572010-02-02T12:25:11.677-06:002010-02-02T12:25:11.677-06:00I am about halfway through this book myself. I am ...I am about halfway through this book myself. I am thoroughly enjoying it so far. As a musician and creative artist I've long wanted to reclaim the work 'spirit' from the supernatural. I also think Comte-Sponville makes excellent arguments about our ethics and duty to our fellow beings.Sean Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04076164080096427562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-46200572901438630482010-01-31T10:28:13.103-06:002010-01-31T10:28:13.103-06:00Thanks so much for your comment, Phil! The compari...Thanks so much for your comment, Phil! The comparison to quitting smoking (or addiction in general) is fitting.<br /><br />I remember discussing the idea of God as "ultimate concern" (Paul Tillich's term) at Texas Lutheran. And as you pointed out, there's a lot recasting that typically has to be done when a person leaves religion. You make a lot of good points!Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-69406047006951885412010-01-25T11:10:30.422-06:002010-01-25T11:10:30.422-06:00Nice job Danielle. I think of ot like this. Life w...Nice job Danielle. I think of ot like this. Life without religion is a little like quitting smoking, which I've done. Where it is different is that I don't experience the pangs of true addiction. What I discovered upon quitting religion whis is similar to smoking is that a whole new world opens up. The smells and tastes which become better and more acute are like the free thoughts which you now experience. Like not spending money on tobacco, I don't spend money on religion. The heavy burden or yoke of having to consume tobacco is mostly gone; the heavy burden of someone else or some book telling me to live my life is gone. Like giving up tobacco, something must fill the void left by non-consumption. I have found it easier to fill the void left by non-religion. as it turns out, I just view religion as a waste of time and effort.<br /><br />One of my Philosophy professors suggested that god is what is most important to you. Of course, for me this thought helps to couteract the need for religion altogether. Family, career, public service, love, friendship and many other pursuits can fill the most important role. Other things can fill the "devil" role, like over-emphasis on money, prejudice and on and on. Religion uses free choice to cover it's flaw. Free choice is stilol with us. I like to think that the burden for who I am does not rest squarely on me, but is a mixture of environment and my choices. The relationship between environment and choice may be different for each person. I like to think that 50/50 is the norm. Being fifty percent responsible for me is an awesome burden compared to the god's will concept. It also provides much more mental and emotional freedom compared to the slave virtues proposed by religion. One principle of christianity I always maintain is "do unto others.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01168947541906831236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-69823137428819164862009-12-13T13:12:37.728-06:002009-12-13T13:12:37.728-06:00Thanks for the shout! Local volunteer corps are in...Thanks for the shout! Local volunteer corps are in the cards for the Foundation's third phase (late 2010), and several local efforts are currently underway, including a fledgling group called Freethought Kitchens.<br /><br />Dale McGowanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-82500771382623066412009-11-16T09:45:29.188-06:002009-11-16T09:45:29.188-06:00I was thinking about this the other day. I found o...I was thinking about this the other day. I found out about this amazing sounding event (midnight breakfast during finals week), and the place that it's hosted at does all kinds of other fun stuff. 5 seconds later I realized it was the local campus ministry. Freethought groups (usually) just don't put the same type of effort into appealing to human needs of community. I think they just stop at waxing philosophical.Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-91513539213642093882009-11-03T14:33:10.388-06:002009-11-03T14:33:10.388-06:00Elephant statues would work too.
Wow, that's a...Elephant statues would work too.<br />Wow, that's awesome.Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-16813509130568053852009-11-02T18:54:34.826-06:002009-11-02T18:54:34.826-06:00As you may have guessed, my tastes lean more towar...As you may have guessed, my tastes lean more toward Ganesha. But yeah, Shiva is pretty cool, too. I've seen t-shirts for sale that say “Shiva Is My Om Boy” and the same for Ganesha. =)Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-29623804342389235632009-11-02T16:32:33.531-06:002009-11-02T16:32:33.531-06:00Idk, some Shiva statues make any room 42^x (with x...Idk, some Shiva statues make any room 42^x (with x being the amount of statues) cooler.Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-26278570702937931072009-10-29T14:35:11.164-05:002009-10-29T14:35:11.164-05:00For the record, it's not like I was interrupti...For the record, it's not like I was interrupting someone's discourse on Spinoza with my problem. It was relevant to the topic at hand.<br /><br />Re: your remark on organized religion and human failings, my thoughts on that subject could fill an entire post, and they very well may in the near future.<br /><br />The group I've been visiting lately is actually affiliated with a major religion, but it takes a refreshing approach to said religion, and to religion in general. I'm not going to elaborate here, because my next full post will cover that.Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-10969274795579368522009-10-27T10:47:13.517-05:002009-10-27T10:47:13.517-05:00Well first of all, interesting acronym.
Second of ...Well first of all, interesting acronym.<br />Second of all, sounds like the problem is not with freethought groups, but freethought groups you have access to. They sound like one big meh party. Then again venting about personal issues at an intellectual discussion isn't always the best route either =/<br />Gasp! You mean the Big Trio's versions of organized religion aren't the only religions infected with human failings? :O<br />If you can find a non-religious meditation group where you can be part of a group where you're bound by a meaningful shared interest instead of merely "freethought" , go for it!Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-66278241151061718682009-10-26T17:49:40.064-05:002009-10-26T17:49:40.064-05:00The posting delay is also due in part to a major c...The posting delay is also due in part to a major class project I'd been working on that is thankfully finished now. In fact, writing this post was pretty much my first activity after turning in the project online.<br /><br />Regarding your question, I'd say both, but I also recognize there are cases of both that are psychiatric conditions. For instance, if I literally heard voices or couldn't get anything done because of the Dark Thoughts, those would require some kind of treatment.<br /><br />Perhaps this blog has given you enough insight into my character to have an idea of where Buddhism Redux is going. Don't spoil it for everyone else! ;) It should be up this evening or tomorrow.Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-79297421608381621102009-10-26T09:58:44.106-05:002009-10-26T09:58:44.106-05:00Well that would explain why you haven't posted...Well that would explain why you haven't posted anything in a while! I was getting worried.<br /><br />"Perhaps this is an actual psychiatric condition, but I don't think so."<br />Do you mean the Dark Thoughts themselves, or that you have a hard time shaking them off?<br /><br />I look forward to Buddhism analysis Redux.Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-10557230951063295242009-10-08T17:57:46.781-05:002009-10-08T17:57:46.781-05:00Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check these g...Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check these groups out.Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-47071047628079643632009-10-06T11:32:17.647-05:002009-10-06T11:32:17.647-05:00Oh yeah I forgot to add, the singer/songwriter for...Oh yeah I forgot to add, the singer/songwriter for Bad Religion has a Ph.D. and teaches at UCLA I believe it is.Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-21560130011386603712009-10-06T11:31:25.385-05:002009-10-06T11:31:25.385-05:00Hmm, that helps a bit I suppose.
Bad Religion: The...Hmm, that helps a bit I suppose.<br />Bad Religion: They are punk rock, but from my forays in punk they have one thing (well two actually) different from everything else I've listened to. The singer/band in general actually sounds pretty good, and the lyrics are usually really witty and intelligent in a way I would not expect from a punk rock band. Being a skeptic, I would recommend looking up the song American Jesus.<br /><br />Nightwish: they are a Finnish symphonic power metal band. They mix metal. . . with violins and some almost opera(among other things). They are relatively new to the stage of music (they were referred to me by a friend I met at college orientation this past summer).<br /><br />The Black Mages: they take music that the head of the band (Nobuo Uematsu) had written for various Final Fantasy games and add rock elements to them. I would say this goes under the unique category. No you don't have to be a Final Fantasy player to appreciate them (I'm not) but you would lose out on the added nostalgia value.<br /><br />Let me know what you think of those (I can provide youtube links if necessary). Those were the most unique things I could think of, a lot of the other things I listen to are either older bands or things that seem outside your tastes, but who knows :)Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-59520823248467576632009-10-04T22:10:27.760-05:002009-10-04T22:10:27.760-05:00Excellent questions! I'll answer them in rever...Excellent questions! I'll answer them in reverse order, since the second question is easier for me. If they're making good stuff now, sure. U2 would be a good example of this if their new stuff didn't leave me cold.<br /><br />The first question is more difficult. It helps if he/she/they are either doing something nobody else is doing, or doing something better than everybody else. I would include Talking Heads in the first category and The Beatles in the second (sure, they made forays into the first, but I consider those less successful). Hope this helps!Danielle Gaitherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619957904492931429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-14206103605938101872009-10-04T19:02:03.652-05:002009-10-04T19:02:03.652-05:00Er, what kind of music do you like? Oh, and what a...Er, what kind of music do you like? Oh, and what about great old albums made by artists that are making stuff in the current day?Dillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4458490793617052985.post-28576120186753407382009-08-22T01:19:42.875-05:002009-08-22T01:19:42.875-05:00Hmm, well I know that Richard Dawkins says that it...Hmm, well I know that Richard Dawkins says that it can xDDillon Welchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264009338084889894noreply@blogger.com