It requires no profound insight to see that many people exhibit a tendency that confuses (or conflates) the concepts of morality and faith. Obviously, as a dude who is candid and impenitent about his atheistic outlook on life – yet still endeavours to conduct himself in a professional and (more importantly) ethical manner – it seems rather obvious to me that one does not need religious faith to lead a righteous and healthy life. Similarly, simply assuming religious faith on its own does in no way mean that someone is ethically sound (in fact, it often means quite the opposite).
That said – and I’ll be frank with you (and howya goin’ Frank?) – I am aware that I can be a cold and callous bastard and have high demands on people, I know that. Sometimes it takes a nice bit of graffiti to soften my marble-like disposition.
So, after seeing this amiable request (and I read it as a request) neatly drawn on the entrance to the ALP HQ on my way to work this morning, I vowed to try and emphasise the positives and show compassion and understanding in all of my dealings for the day.
Of course, then I opened my e-mail and went through the correspondence therein, but that is another story for another comic...
Comments
in answer to your question re decrease in numbers of crowds to watch cricket well,
1)we have been having a surfeit of cricket in various forms
2)the new stadium at nagpur is out of the city
3)the concept of watching it at home on the telly where you can watch closely and give your studied opinion on every controversy (at least 1 a day now)is picking up.
4)economics.
Reading about your views on religion I was reminded of the description of the cycle of religion provided beautifully in a book by Richard Bach --- One.
I have to agree on one thing - people does not need religion to understand ethics and have acceptable behaviour. By acceptable I mean - they are able to love, do good to others and achiev harmony...
Religion can help someone, sure, so, please, religios folks do not feel offended
I'm very disappointed about Proposition 8 in California. Which is kind of on the same subject. Faith & ethics, like Tash said.
Tash, “pithy and profound”, that’s my motto!
Magiceye, I never considered the impact of TV. We had that here in Australia too some years back, but the crowds returned during the team’s good run. I’m not sure how big they’ll be this summer though...
Aigars, agree 100%
Petrea, the funny thing is that all intolerance that I’ve encountered presents itself in the same ways and the same sorts of people: Christians, Muslims, and those of extreme political views (whether anti-tax/gay/globalisation or indeed pro-family/environment/nation), it doesn’t seem to matter what it is, they all tend to only listen to views that reinforce their own and discard (often aggressively), anything that challenges their own faith/identity/assumptions. They’re not fun folk to be around when you consider yourself a laid back pragmatist!
Ingrid, I’m trying! :)