Thanks George from that lead into my favourite topic… God and Goans!
As your supernatural contact has verified, there appears to be a problem when it comes to defining what exactly is a Goan. You will remember the studious silence to my post on the subject a few weeks ago… something that doesn't occour very often on GoaNet. However, I am still looking for responses into that query as we are formulating our approach to the Goan Convention to be held here next year and am looking for input from this cybercommunity. Either everyone is on holiday, didn't have much to say on the topic or they couldn't be bothered to reply. I just read a message on a local billboard – 'Knowledge speaks, Wisdom listens' – so I'm ass-uming (at the risk of making an ass out of myself) that the wise 99.9% of the silent GoaNetters were waiting for someone else to put their foot in their mouth. While my contributions to this forum may cause pain for some, I'm hoping that they also cause others to take the time to think over some of the topics broached. While on vacation last week, I finished reading an interesting book called 'EVOLUTION FOR EVERYONE' by David Sloan Wilson (author of 'Darwin's Cathedral') of Binghamton University, New York. In it he makes a compelling case for why EVERYONE needs to understand the basics of evolution and goes on to explain them in the first few chapters so that anyone reading past those would be able to comprehend the reasoning behind his compelling arguments. He is one of a few authors who have been able to intelligibly reconcile the science of evolution with the inherent human need for religion. In his opinion, the human psyche has evolved to require a supernatural presence to allay their natural inadequacies and, as such, will always be a dominant force in human societies (as they exist today). Understanding that concept does not necessarily mean relinquishing those beliefs. However, it does make it possible for the intelligent people to differentiate between spiritual comfort and blind faith. The problem is that religion, consequently, requires blind faith at some level. It varies between religions depending on how much of their dogma is tied to history – natural and cultural. Many of the ancient religions morphed into newer ones as their explanation of natural events were demolished by scientific investigation. The problem we face today is that most of the major religions claim to be the only way to salvation and require their followers to believe that implicitly. Hence the recent proclamation by B16 about the validity of 'his' Church above all other followers of Christ. Didn't hear Gilbert loudly cheering him on ;-) Kevin Saldanha Mississauga, ON. ps. Bosco's plaintive call to change the 'Evolutionist Kevin?' subject line has been falling on deaf ears... please heed his plea /ks -- Be impeccable with your word - Don Miguel Ruiz http://www.nderf.org/4AgreementsReview.htm
