Hey all, Mark suggested the following topic: "An MOQ analysis suggests Christianity is a cult." Discuss. Cult n specific system of worship; devotion to a person, idea, or activity; popular fashion. Collins Gem English dictionary.
And "Is it possable [sic] to be a free thinker AND a devout Christian"? R Greetings MFers, unless you've been living in a cave on Mars with your eyes closed and your fingers in your ears you've heard by now about the prank recently perpetrated on the MOQ Discussion Group "Conference" in Liverpool. In the wake of that event, it has been suggested that the MOQ discussion group may have certain "cult-like" characteristics. This suggestion has been met by varying degrees of acceptance. Some think it's a substantial criticism, some think it's bull. Either way, it seems like something that a lot of members have on their minds, and maybe we should be discussing. The definition of "cult" cited above by Mark raises some interesting issues. While "specific system of worship" seems to capture things like Christianity, it's hard to completely deny that "devotion to a person, idea or activity" doesn't, at least in some sense, reflect the MOQ discussion group. Surely, we are all at least devoted to the "activity" of discussing Pirsig's philosophy. In varying degrees many of us are also feel devoted to the "idea" of the MOQ itself. Finally, there are certainly those among us who feel a certain amount of devotion to the "person" Robert Pirsig. Moreover, Mark's second question above, also raises some interesting philosophical issues. It would seem to me that to be a "devout" anything would be at least somewhat at odds with calling oneself a "free thinker". "Devotion," in this sense, seems to suggest a purposeful limiting of freedom, giving up some freedom to embrace some particular thing. On the other hand, is it possible that "devotion" to something could actually come about as the RESULT of a process of free thinking? Or does being a "free thinker" mean that one can never finally settle upon, and bind oneself to any conclusions at all? And what exactly do we mean when we say "free thinker" anyway? I'd like to add a more general, and in my opinion, slightly more interesting reformulation of Mark's questions to the list of potential topics. The questions/topics would be: 1. In terms of Quality (the vocabulary of the MOQ), discuss what it means to be a cult. 2. In terms of Quality (the vocabulary of the MOQ), discuss what it means to be a free-thinker. 3. In terms of what you answered to parts 1 and 2, discuss why it is (or why it is not) possible to be devoted to a person, activity, or idea (like an organized religion, or a specific philosophy/metaphysics) and still consider oneself a "free thinker". I'm not totally attached to this formulation, so feel free to make further suggestions if anyone has any ideas that might improve it further. Take care rick MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org Mail Archive - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_focus/ MF Queries - [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe from moq_focus follow the instructions at: http://www.moq.org/mf/subscribe.html
