On 18 Jun 2005, at 4:20 pm, Robert Seeberger wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "William T Goodall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <brin-l@mccmedia.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 8:37 AM
Subject: Re: Religious zealot slaughters children
Stalinism and Nazism are both quasi-religions.
Capitalism and Democracy are quasi-religions too.
I don't think you are right there. Perhaps you could explain why you
think so?
The reason I call Stalinism and Nazism quasi-religions (after the
theologian Paul Tillich) is that they share enough of the identifying
features of a religion to be called a religion.
One of these identifying features is a prophetic figure whose
revelations form the basis of the religion. Such figures include
Jesus, Hitler, Buddha, Marx. No corresponding individual exists for
capitalism or democracy.
Another feature is the holy text: Bible, Mein Kampf, Das Kapital,
Koran. Again, no such text exists for capitalism or democracy.
Another feature of religion is community - you are of the faith or
not, a member of the Party or not. Again, not a feature of capitalism
or democracy.
And so on...
--
William T Goodall
Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk
Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/
"The three chief virtues of a programmer are: Laziness, Impatience
and Hubris" - Larry Wall
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