Letters to the Editor
blunderdog
Published Letters: 494 Editor's Choice: 10
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"How to be a Millionaire and never pay Taxes..."
[Read the article: God grief]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First, get a million dollars.
Then, convince the tax-collector that you have a personal hotline to the supreme creator of the universe, and that the state has no right to interfere with your beliefs.
Seriously, though...as an atheist Buddhist, I'd raise a few quibbles.
1) "Atheism" can be formally defined as "non-theist." That is a completely different definition than "one who asserts the non-existence of God."
I am an atheist. I do not assert the existence of God. I ALSO do not assert the non-existence of God. Heck, maybe He's out there. I dunno. I don't care in the least.
I distinguish my view from "agnosticism" because I AM "gnostic." I very much believe (in line with the beliefs of many Buddhists, gnostic Christians, etc) that it is my own personal insight and experience which will lead to the cultivation of my wisdom.
2) I suspect that most self-proclaimed "agnostics" are far closer to atheists than they are "agnostics." It is telling that so many people in the US decline to embrace the label of "atheist." I've perceived a significant prejudice against my declaration that I am an atheist, and it's easy to understand why someone might use a less misunderstood term to define their personal spirituality.
3) Being a big fan of the US Constitution, the First Amendment is something profoundly important to me, and the efforts of ANY religious persons to erode my rights as guaranteed by that amendment because of THEIR religious beliefs are simply not compatible with the well-documented aims of the Founding Fathers in creating a formula for government which would resist theocracy and totalitarianism.
My tolerance for moderate believers is no different from my tolerance for devout fundamentalists. I support all of them in their right to worship and believe as they wish, and I am completely committed to preventing their beliefs from ruling my life through the power of the State.
As was stated by another poster recently, those moderately religious citizens who tolerate religious extremists' effort to bind their religion into the laws of man would do well to consider the threat of encroaching theocracy.
"Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's; render unto God that which is God's."
God didn't write the Constitution. Leave him out of our basis for law.
4) RealName: you need to look up the definition of "democracy," as your recent assertion shows such a complete misunderstanding of its meaning.
"The Stalinists, however were essentially democrates [sic]-they killed everybody without distinction, and they regarded the World Outlook not as a dogma but as a guide to action."
"Democracy" is a philosophy of political rule, not the belief that "everyone should be killed without distinction," as you imply above. There was nothing democratic about Stalin's rule at all.
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Great Discussion!
[Read the article: My husband has Chinese ancestry but his son wants to keep it secret]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm in my mid 30's, and I found out some "deep dark secrets" about my lineage a few years ago. My brother, about a decade younger, found out at the same time.
We were both completely unaffected, unafflicted, unfazed, and in fact, almost indifferent.
I was reading responses and wondering how much of the importance other readers here have placed on the question of whether the LW should tell or not tell is a generational kinda thing.
Having grown up in a culture which has tolerated some incredibly non-traditional sexual mores for my entire life, I was surprised to see so many people warning the LW about the risk of serious interpersonal fallout. However, I also generally believe that when you find yourself in situations where you even begin to wonder how to behave, the best bet is to play it safe.
Clarifying one point: no one is obligated to lie for someone else in such circumstances. I wouldn't suggest that the LW deny anything if Delores asked her if she had any reason to believe she was adopted. At the most demure end of the spectrum, one can always say nothing. Or one can just spill it, because how bad could it really be anyway?
Very interesting letter and response thread, though. I was also very glad to see the LW come in and comment at the end. I find it so fascinating to see how other people talk about their family experiences. I think part of the fascination is that it's truly a random hand one is dealt--you can't pick your relatives.
And keeping that in mind is probably what makes me think it'd all be fine either way.
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OK, But...?
[Read the article: Masters of Wolfowitz's universe]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why would the Italians, Canadians, Japanese, Germans, or French care one whit about Wolfowitz?