> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-virus@lucifer.com
> [mailto:owner-virus@lucifer.com]On Behalf
> Of KMO
> Sent: Saturday, March 20, 1999 12:07 PM
> To: virus@lucifer.com
> Subject: Re: virus: A few opening statements from a newcomer
>
>
> carlw wrote:
>
> > If you respect yourself,
> > there should be no need for a god.
>
> If you respect yourself, there should be no need for a <god>.
>
> <family>
>
> <community>
>
> <education>
>
> <internet>
>
> Huh?
>
>
>
Huh?^2
I would say it is the formative effect you have upon something (yourself, those around you or things around you) which entitle you to self-respect. Simply "being" is not grounds for self-respect. I would argue that I can see "family" which I help create, as much as it creates me, being something which generates and reflects my self-respect. The same goes for community, education and even (stretching it slightly) the Internet communities I am a participant in and thus the Internet.
I cannot see how this could apply to a god. Any god "is that it is" and you are suppossed to acknowledge it (Refer Growth and Learning Below).
Thus I do not see how you get from "If you respect yourself, there should be no need for a god." to the balance of your proposition.
TheHermit
ANNOUNCER: The Meaning of Life: Part Two: Growth and Learning.
HUMPHREY WILLIAMS: ...And spotteth twice they the camels before the third hour, and so, the Midianites went forth to Ram Gilead in Kadesh Bilgemath, by Shor Ethra Regalion, to the house of Gash-Bil-Bethuel-Bazda, he who brought the butter dish to Balshazar and the tent peg to the house of Rashomon, and there slew they the goats, yea, and placed they the bits in little pots. Here endeth the lesson.
CHAPLAIN: Let us praise God. O Lord,...
CONGREGATION: O Lord,...
CHAPLAIN: ...ooh, You are so big,...
CONGREGATION: ...ooh, You are so big,...
CHAPLAIN: ...so absolutely huge.
CONGREGATION: ...so absolutely huge.
CHAPLAIN: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You. CONGREGATION: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
CHAPLAIN: Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and... CONGREGATION: And barefaced flattery.
CHAPLAIN: But You are so strong and, well, just so super. CONGREGATION: Fantastic.
HUMPHREY: Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
HUMPHREY: Now, two boys have been found rubbing linseed oil into the school cormorant. Now, some of you may feel that the cormorant does not play an important part in the life of the school, but I would remind you that it was presented to us by the Corporation of the town of Sudbury to commemorate Empire Day, when we try to remember the names of all those from the Sudbury area who so gallantly gave their lives to keep China British. So, from now on, the cormorant is strictly out of bounds! Oh, and Jenkins, apparently your mother died this morning. Chaplain. [organ music]
CHAPLAIN and CONGREGATION: [singing]
O Lord, please don't burn us.
Don't grill or toast Your flock.
Don't put us on the barbecue
Or simmer us in stock.
Don't braise or bake or boil us
Or stir-fry us in a wok.
Oh, please don't lightly poach us
Or baste us with hot fat.
Don't fricassee or roast us
Or boil us in a vat,
And please don't stick Thy servants, Lord,
In a Rotissomat.