<"Santosh Helekar"> writes in Goanet:
<If what you just posted twice helps you in any way to achieve the peace of mind that you seek then I am honestly happy for you.>
Dear Santosh:
Thanks, I don�t post messages just to achieve peace of mind, but more to impart piece of mind. FYI lately, some of my messages have NOT appeared on GNet, and as a result, I had to post twice.
<But I don't know what you are trying to prove by citing fragmented excerpts of my prior posts, out of context and in a jumbled up order.>
Santosh, like I said the excerpts were just *glimpses* of your nonsensical posts, --ridden full of delusion worth no more than the �delete� key you suggested.
<People usually regard such a thing in even poorer taste than what you seem to be accusing me of doing.>
People are already seeing your provocative posts as nothing but in �poorer taste.� Many are flabbergasted that you have resorted to ridiculing people who rightly stand up for their faith.
<Most of the people you are trying to appeal to have already read those excerpts in their proper context when I first posted them. They have already formed an opinion, good or bad, about me.>
And yes, people have already voiced their views and asked you to desist your abusing their spiritual beliefs. But no, you will doggedly pursue your tirade against them. That�s when I intervened to ask you to stop your unwarranted provocative attacks. This can be readily verified from my past posts.
<Furthermore, I am not running for a political position. You need not do a hatchet job on me.>
Perhaps you should run for a political position, as your present self-proclaimed profession of ridiculing people (as you can see) is getting you nowhere.
<Actually, for your benefit I would gladly admit that I have indeed ridiculed miraculous explanations of natural phenomena, various kinds of superstitions and supernatural events described in the religious literature.> [???]
Santosh, do you consider Jesus raising the dead man Lazarus to Life, as stated in the Bible/Scriptures ( �religious literature� ) as �superstitions� and �games�? Are you saying that these verses from the Bible, are nothing but games and jokes? Would you be saying the same about the Koran or Bhagwat Gita too?
Joe Vaz wrote:
I had cited just two examples of a miracle by definition: Red Sea parting as depicted in the movie "The Ten Commandments" (i.e., not simply a low tide); JESUS RAISING THE DEAD MAN LAZARUS TO LIFE (John, xi).
Santosh Helekar wrote:
As I alluded to before, NOBODY SAW THESE GAMES. Joe Vaz, Have you seen them? THE ABOVE MIRACLES ARE AN APPEAL TO IGNORANCE...
Now, Santosh Helekar writes: <I am not ashamed of having done such a thing.>
You are not ashamed of your above mockery? Well, you don�t cease to amaze me.
<There is a rich and dignified tradition established by great people such as Charvaka, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Gora, etc in India, and Benedict Spinoza, Thomas Jefferson, Friedrich Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, H. L. Mencken, Bertrand Russell and Richard Dawkins, among others, in the West, who have done exactly that in a much more provocative, poignant and significant manner than I can ever imagine doing.>
Santosh, are you comparing yourself to the above individuals? You think making mockery of people and their religious beliefs will put you on a high pedestal?
I wonder how much Mahatma Gandhi and others (you mentioned) would agree with you, -- whose names you take in vain. You should be truly ashamed of saying that you are following a rich and dignified tradition by provoking people and mocking their religious beliefs.
<So your quixotic efforts at indicting me in this forum would not do anything to deter me from posting any such comments or arguments in the future.>
I don�t really care whether it deters you or not, but every time you make such inflammatory comments, you will be prone to be corrected.
<As for the rest of the stuff you have posted, let me just say, I don't want to do a hatchet job on you. If you want to refresh your memory regarding your recycled chicken-crossing joke on the Buddha, please look it up in the Goanet archives.>
Santosh, if I did say anything AT ALL on Buddha or Buddhism, you show me where I did so, -- if not HOLD your PEACE -- stop making specious inferences. I am positive I wrote nothing against ANY religion. I can live well in the company of Hindus, Muslims or Christians, and equally well with different nationals I have come across -� Americans, Canadians, British, Australians, Pakistanis and Indians alike. I personally never encountered any problems with any one of these people and their diverse religious beliefs; -- each is respectful toward other fellow beings� spiritual beliefs.
<Regarding your suggestions on what type of scientific research I should do, thanks, but no thanks. I have already chosen my line of research, and made my own modest contributions. If I tell you what they are, you will accuse meof ridiculing people's religious belief in the human soul, and ask me what right I have to do such research.>
Santosh, let me say this again, I don�t have any problem about your line of work, or what you do for a living -- that�s purely your personal business. I simply ask that you show some respect for fellow human beings, and spare them of your sarcasms on their religious beliefs.
<I am amused at your implication that conducting scientific research and posting skeptical arguments on Goanet are somehow mutually exclusive. Let me assure you that it is similar to working for an oil company and singing in the church choir at the same time.>
I don�t understand what you are trying to say here? Are you saying that you also tried your hand/voice at choir singing in Church?
<I am also amused by your strained comparison of spontaneously articulated scientific and rational arguments with recycled jokes and sayings delivered through chain letter emails.>
Santosh, I did not find any originality in your articulation of a scientific argument that would make it solely an �original.� Are you saying that you are an absolute authority on science, and that your arguments are logically, scientifically and intellectually superior and irrefutable facts -- while what others say or write is recycled/ no-brainer?
<Finally, your citation of my Pandurang Fernandes response to an internet troll message is indeed very revealing of the general attitude with which you have received my posts.>
Frankly, I find your �Pandurang� jokes more �original� and entertaining to people who might derive greater amusement from them, -- rather than contend with your insensitive and repulsive �cheap shots.�
<No wonder my posts disturb your peace of mind.>
Not just my peace; -- just see how many others have tried to talk some sense to you, but will you listen? I consider you a friend -- NOT an enemy and have nothing against you, however, I am concerned about your insensible/insensitive sarcasm on the Holy Scriptures and spiritual beliefs.
<Nonetheless, I thank you for speaking your mind, and look forward to commenting on your posts in the future.>
And I thank you for understanding that religion is something sacred, private and personal; it deserves due respect, and subjecting it to satire is nothing but insulting the believer and religion.
<However, henceforth if you want peace from me, please delete my posts without reading them.>
If Peace = Delete Key = What a waste!
Best wishes, as always.
Joe Vaz
PS: Don�t expect me to continue this now futile discourse, I have important things to do.
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