My understanding of religion and theological / philosophical concepts is limited. So, I like to read writings on "Religion made simple".
So now I (GL) am trying to figure out what Selma (SC) says in her post below. Here are some questions ... por favor SC: Recently I borrowed a copy of Spinoza from the library determined to read about consciousness and modes (didn't get very far :-), GL: She got further than me and needs to be applauded. She did not read it completely and may be ... perhaps ... likely did not understand Spinoza's book? Is Spinoza a final authority on God? or just another 17th century European philosopher? Spinoza who was Dutch Jewish was excommunicated from his Synagogue. If it was the pope that excommunicated him, that would be a cause for about (at least) 25 posts / year on this web; both from Goan Catholics and the spattering of Dutch who are on this web site. SC: traditional philosophy itself has become obsolete. GL: What exactly is traditional philosophy? And is part or whole of it obsolete? Is its constructs evolving? SC: I too hope that Goan society finds the equilibrium between science and spirituality. GL: When did Goan society loose that equilibrium between science and spirituality? Anytime in the last 200 years? SC: discussions about "salvation" for only certain religious affiliations are unacceptable GL: It has been reported on this site that this concept has long been discarded. Did Selma miss something? Are we getting the same "churchy reasoning" from SC?:=)) Selma, and others like her are very practical do-gooders. Hence, can any one of them, please give me three good PRACTICAL reasons, why on earth would one want to be animated and excited in some 17th - 19th century thought-process? Are there no modern problems - practical or theoretical to address? Currently nearly all religions teach us the way to get to heaven is to love God. And the second equally important commandment is to love our neighbor. Which part of this is covered in Spinoza's philosophy or somebody's theory of monism or dualism? Are we doing the same as the Benedictine monks (or whoever) arguing (the model) about: How many angels can dance on the head of the pin? This, while there was rampart poverty and inequality just beyond the monastery walls. Yet now we know better! But all we do is raise issues that do not solve anybody's problems, but are solely designed to create new ones. According to Baruch Spinoza's autobiography, his ancestry started in Spain or Portugal. They were forced to convert from Judaism to Christianity. The grandfather took the family, to France and reconverted back to Judaism taking the name of Isaac. Later, his sons moved to Holland. Baruch's father with his named changed from Manuel to Abraham, brought up young Baruch, born in Holland, as a conservative orthodox Jew. Yet, Baruch was excommunicated from his synagogue in Amsterdam; and took the Christian name of Bento de Espinosa, Latin: Benedictus de Spinoza. Talk of a complicated childhood and an uncertain world. No wonder in the 17th century, they came up with so many models about god and human thought-processes. Baruch (Benedictus) Spinoza's occupation was a lense maker. He did not undertake one scientific experiment to back up his theoretical models and "ethical philosophy" about the working of the mind that some Goans are now so engrossed about. Are we Goans going ga-ga because Spinoza was an European (white skin)? What ever happened to: There is one God and there are several ways to get to heaven? Of course to get to heaven, the soul has to live after death. Oops! did I say something heretical - like soul, life after death, heaven and God? Kind Regards, GL ---------------- Selma Carvalho >Recently I borrowed a copy of Spinoza from the library determined to read >about consciousness and modes (didn't get very far :-), >traditional philosophy itself has become obsolete >I too hope that Goan society finds the equilibrium between science and >spirituality >but it is absolutely unconscionable to believe in something suspending >rational thought in our desire to prove it right. >To this end, discussions about "salvation" for only certain religious >affiliations are unacceptable.
