Truth

So Called "Truth" And Random Philosophy?

Ultimate Meaning? There is no such thing as "the ultimate meaning" or "truth". This is all in the eye of the beholder. There are facts about the universe that exist, but these facts mean nothing in the absence of our understanding based on our own personal schemata. This is the only way we can"know" anything. It is a double edged sword; on a positive note, it also biases us to exclude possibilities outside our personal realm of understanding. This is why science surpasses religion in its efficacy and reliability in explaining earthly and universal phenomena. Science searches for facts (more appropriately, evidence of facts) and explains how objects and phenomenon interact. Religion searches for purpose and meaning in everything that exists. But if everyone has a different opinion of how everything happens, where does this get us? Ultimately, when people speak of the "ultimate purpose in life,", they mean "God's plan." For, purpose must come from one person's (or entity's) point of view. It can be assumed that this entity must have created the universe if we are to lend the honor of it granting us "purpose." How could we possibly even come close to deciphering this "purpose" being that we are minuscule finite individuals in an infinite universe. The search for "ultimate purpose," (be there a God or not) is a futile aim. Consequently, Religion is a social phenomenon. It doesn't matter whether there is a God. Dogma and ritual worship are assuredly hopelessly shortsighted. With our limited abilities, we cannot conceive of a single "purpose" carved out of the infinite possible "purposes." Therefore, science ought to be the goal, not an unintelligible pursuit such as dogmatic religion. Why are the only ones that receive signs of God's existence the very ones who need them the least, since they have perfect faith; and the ones who don't believe but would if some miraculous evidence, don't see any of this bullshit? Wishful thinking maybe??

Angry God? How is it possible that God would be angry. In order to begin to conceive of this phenomenon, one must grant God anthropomorphic features and tendencies; for the only beings we have direct experience with who perceive "anger" and "happiness" are humans. God could be thought of as Spinozian: Simply put, everything that is, with no active intervention, per-say. But this conception goes against the traditions of most dogmatic religions, so for the sake of argument, we will grant human emotions to God. Since we grant this, can we not also grant that God, like humans, would seek happiness over anger (good over evil)? Of course God would! Now, there is one thing we cannot extrapolate from humans; God's infinite being. Being finite, we are stuck in a world of good/evil, and anger/happiness. This is not the case for God, however. God, being infinite, necessarily knows how to be the most infinitely happy a God can be. If it is assumed that the finite human conception of happiness be "the utmost lack of anger (and other bad stuff), and that eternal happiness is the ultimate pleasure, why would an infinite God allow "himself" to ever become angry? "He" would either be indifferent to humans and "exist along in his merry way", or "he" would be happy with whatever humans do. What you say? Just don't grant God emotion like humans; allow God a conception of whatever God wants to consider the human condition? Fine, then you admit that God's thoughts are beyond human conception! Ok, you said it, I didn't (actually I did)! Now, stop assuming that even if there is a God, that you have any capacity whatsoever to proclaim his word or spread anthropomorphic dogma like a disease about what God's "purpose" is for us. Maybe there is a "purpose" (probably not: see "existence of good/evil" argument), but you don't know it and neither do I. Do not assume for a second that God would give a rat's ass about a bunch of low life (compared to "him") humans except for the fact that he may be "proud" of himself for setting us in motion. All we know is that we are here. To relegate God to taking pleasure in finite human worship is preposterous. If God does derive pleasure FROM the finite, "he" IS finite "himself" and quite obviously not an infinite God. 1. "God" is finite 2. If he is finite, he is mortal 3. If he is mortal, he is material 4. If he is material, then he is essentially no greater than you or me. Even if he did create us, is still living himself, and had the ability to watch over us with some unfathomable technology, chances are he'd be pretty damned angry at us for worshiping the wrong way (praying to an entity other than "him"). Seems to me that would make him angry enough to destroy us many times over. But, he hasn't so lighten up and stay off the dope!!

Freedom is a nebulous concept. Who has it? No one really. How can we. We follow laws like sheep brought in to pasture. For instance, people who know where they are going in life; these people are simply taking cues from a society that has decided on what is kosher; money, power, and material wealth. There is no magic to all this. So, why do so few attain the heights that the corporate hi-flyers attain. Because they aren't so damned petty. They haven't decided to let go of who they are. Motivational speakers and their followers look rather happy, and probably are. I don't care if they've hit Nirvana. Their whole being is changed. Their minds being molded by forces that have perpetuated themselves within a little vicious circle. They've found a purpose. That is what this whole thing is about. But what a trite bunch of horse shit. There is something more than the daily stock market charts. Cultural evolution has taken a wrong turn. For so many years, genetics moved us and all that "lives." Now, we move our genetics. But evolution is not a process of intelligence. It worked well when the bottom line was survival. Only the well adjusted and strong moved on. There was more meaning in that blind process than there is today. We are hopelessly incapable of driving evolution and staying on the correct road. Intelligence has given us the opportunity to test multitudes of philosophies on the world. Those of us that choose to follow only do it as a way to gain organization in their lives. There is no philosophy that is "right." There are only philosophies that do ever less harm to humankind and the world. Some are ridiculous, others are compelling. We can easily throw out the bad, but cannot possibly choose the highest good. Yet, many people have chosen capitalism as their philosophy. It isn't even good. It's one that should have been thrown out. It is a caste. A hierarchy that goes from the top (the rich) to the bottom (the poor saps who can't get a break because once the rich climb their way to the pedestal, they cut the rope). What a ridiculous system. Of course some people are comfortable with it. If you "play along" you can do pretty well. You just eat up the creature you were before and simply work toward a defined goal with no real definition in itself. For people to feel they have to be forced into it is obscene. You grow up, start work, then die. You do some company picnics in between and act all cheery with everyone because it is expected. And you oblige because, for some abysmal reason, you actually have the illusion that you are happy. All that would need be done to prove how ridiculous this whole thing is is to make a recording of you in action. Well, sort of you, not really you. At least something that looks like you moving in a single file line with all the other pitiful mindless creatures you call coworkers. Why is this necessary? It's never going away, but why is it mandatory? What the fuck kind of life do humans want to lead. It doesn't need be that complex. Economics of the free market system will fix everything? Yeah, right! We live in a "Democracy" with an uncountable # of dictatorships filling in the cracks. Capitalism cannot coexist with Democracy. Democracy loses. Why do we have free speech today? Because companies lobby for it so they can hawk their "product." I'm certainly glad that free speech is a side effect, but it isn't for the right reasons. Run governments like a company? Uh, huh! Isn't that how Drug lords run their governments? Oh, you don't think that these South American governments are run by free thinking leaders do you. Uncover your eyes and ears. Libertarians want individual freedom and no government. Not a good idea when private companies still exist. The "libbies" don't realize that government is why these anti-social entities that monger money haven't yet taken any more freedoms or applied any more of their own rules in addition. Live for a cause no matter how "small." Money is no cause, it is only a means to an undefined end!!!