--- Nasci Caldeira <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >We should only discuss what effects some religious >practices have on other religious or non religious >communities. Would you agree with this? >
Dear Nasci, Thanks for that concession. I am extremely happy and relieved to be able to call you a gentleman who merely has a difference of opinion with me on certain issues. I retract all the accusations I made against you because I recognize the difficulties of communicating one's ideas clearly through this electronic medium. I will chalk everything that has been said by you and me up to a mutual misunderstanding on our part. Regarding your question, I think I would agree with you. But let me clarify as to what I would agree about. I have nothing against people's private belief or lack of belief in God or in any religion or cult. My best friend here in Houston is a devout Catholic. Many of my closest friends and relatives are Hindu fundamentalists. My best childhood friend in Goa is a devout Catholic. I have no interest in proactively converting people to my view. I have very rarely, if ever, initiated an argument on agnosticism or against anybody's private beliefs in this forum or elsewhere. My posts have always been in reaction to the following: a) Prejudice based on religion, ideology, nationality, etc., b) Erroneous assertions whether based on religion or not, c) Irrational or anti-scientific propaganda, d) Claims that faith should supplant science in explaining certain natural phenomena, e) Claims that science has proven the notions of a particular religion, f) Claims that there is no conflict between science and religion, g) Holier than thou attitude of individuals whether on the basis of religion or not, h) Exhortations by individuals demanding immunity against criticism dor religion or some other such special status for religion, i) Attempts by some to shut others up or expel them because of their religious criticisms, j) Repeated name-calling and abuse on account of simple disagreements, k) Unwarranted generalizations based on isolated or infrequent occurrences. And lastly I admit that there might have been occasional slip-ups on my part. Cheers, Santosh
