Guided by knowledge and inspired by love

[varkam]

Whatever you may think of him, Bertrand Russell once wrote "...the good life is one guided by knowledge and inspired by love". I am hard pressed to refute that statement. After all, it's not as though I can say that a good life is one with no knowledge nor love in it. Going further, I would also say that if one were to determine a handful of fundamental principles, knowledge and love would be near the top.

I've also been thinking a great deal about the rancor not only here, on these forums, but elsewhere in the world as well. From Baghdad to Birmingham, theological strife is everywhere. I know that fact is painfully obvious to everyone here, and so is the notion that theological strife translates into tangible acts of violence. I know that's nothing new - it's been going on since the notion of a God became a part of our collective lexicon.

Some of you may know that I am an atheist (well, actually an agnostic atheist, but that's a long story). I know that we all have disagreements with people who believe different (i.e. atheists are immoral sickos who would murder their own mother and theists are living in a delusional world filled with fairy tales). Some of the differences, as of late, have been pointed out with a cutting precision.

Bertrand Russell may have believed that the very notion of religion and belief did harm. Tangible harm. I don't. Actions can do harm. I don't deny the value of anyone's beliefs, and I try my best not to offend others. We may have our disagreements, but know that we are not enemies. If I saw you on the side of the road with a flat tire, I would like to think I would stop to help you (and I would like to think that you would do the same for me). It's not as though I would think (well I would help him, but he believes in God - or vice versa). If you saw me sleeping on a park bench, I would hope you would offer me a place to stay (as I hope I would do the same for you). We aren't enemies here, we are allies. Forget where we are? The people who are using theological doctrine of any stripe to further intolerance, bigotry, ignorance discrimination and hatred - they and theirs are what I stand against. It is my hope that you stand with me.

[nemo137]

1. I agree with that wholeheartedly.

I'd say that you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't, except for the fact that my own father would reject the first part of that.