--- The Fool <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: <snip> > I advocate logic. Religion is illogical. I want > people to understand > just how illogical their idiocy is. I want people > who undertand that > religion is idiocy, to stop having religion and stop > trying to force idiocy on other people.
Do you know how many people believe in a Divinity and have no interest in 'forcing it' on anyone? Who in fact believe that the very notion of "forced worship" is as oxymoronic as "dark brightness," and actually ascribe to the 'live and let live' school of thought? Many human pursuits are illogical - love, golf and football come to mind <VBG!> - but that doesn't mean they are unworthy endeavors. By 'religion' do you mean only an organized institution, or are you lumping together 'spirituality' or 'spiritual life' under that word? If the latter, that is inaccurate, as many spiritual people have nothing to do with any organized religion. And while there is no question that fanatic fundamentalists of any flavor have done - and continue to do - a great deal of physical and emotional harm around the world, it is equally silly to deny the good that some religious organizations have done. (Since I'm familiar with Lutheran World Relief, I'm using them.) From their website: http://www.lwr.org/index.html "LWR shares aid on the basis of need now, and forges long-term partnerships for the road ahead. Poor communities and refugees receive assistance from LWR as they work to secure: Water, food - for today and next year Health care, clothing, shelter, warmth Literacy, education, skills training Strong, representative community organizations Full participation of women / A voice for the poor In obedience to God and for the sake of the world, Lutheran World Relief lives by these core values: Faith is Active in Love God Gives All People Dignity We Serve With Partners We Make Good Use of God's Gifts We Work for Justice and Peace" Their financial statements, available on-site, show that only ~5% of the money taken in goes to administrative/fundraising activities; the rest goes to actual relief programs. The BBB also has their finances for the year ending 9/01: http://www.give.org/reports/care_dyn.asp?258 A veterinarian friend who works with the Heifer Project http://www.heifer.org/about_hpi/index.htm (and is almost militantly atheist) was impressed that the LWR people she worked with in the field (Zimbabwe, China) did no proselytizing, although they would answer 'Because it pleases God that I do this work' when asked why they were helping (and I'm sure would elaborate if the questioner asked more). Debbi ?Former Seminarian Maru __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
