Date: Fri, 22 Dec 95 14:26:26 EST
From: coatesrd@casmail.muohio.edu (Rodney Coates)
Reply-To: coatesrd@casmail.muohio.edu (Rodney Coates)
To: mark@mbcltd.demon.co.uk
Subject: RE: [Fwd:  Re: Fw: God and atrocities]
On Wed, 20 Dec 1995 20:00:49 -0000 you wrote:

>much of the message is encoded and i am unable to understand it i shall respond that which i can and leave the rest for you to ponder...>
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>Rodney,
>
>You wrote:
>
>I have but one word to respond to this:
>
>parodox..
>
>..later...and i still be me...
>
>(it is still a question of faith isn't it...)
>
>
>
>
>I have no problems with paradoxes or questions of faith.
>
>I was trying to provoke a response that might help me understand why =
>those concerned with questions of equality - for example, my interests =
>are racism - would bother themselves with the internal consistency of =
>mystical beliefs. Hence the non-confrontational tone of my note.
>
>It is one thing for a social scientist to try to understand why belief =
>systems arise and some disappear. It's another thing to say, are they =
>internally consistent? I am intrigued by what responses will come back.
>
>Thanks for replying.
>
>Mark.



Mark:

As noted by W.I. Thomas: A situation percieved as real is real in its
consequences...

People of all races, ethnic groups and nationalities have argued these
issues and the bottom line still remains...some believe -and for those
who do..there is no inconsistency..whereas for those who do
not...there are multiple inconsistencies...consequently there exists a
paradox...something which is and isn't at the same time...

I do not believe that religion, in all its totality, can be logically
interpreted...logic/science only takes you just so far...I would argue
that as a system of beliefs it is intended purposely to be so...

I would argue that the epitomy of rationality is irrationality, the
epitomy of logic is illogical, just as the epitomy of creativity is
distruction...  Now you are probably convinced that i am crazy..but
let me proceed with a few examples...Racism, sexism, homophobia,
ethnocentrism are all both rational and irrational, logical and
illogical, creative responses to difficult situations and extremely
destructive...

>From a purely logical perspective, a logic which comes from a
capitalist perspective, slavery is extremely rational....but from a
humanist or religious perspective extremely illogical, irrational and
destructive...do you see my problem...

>From a purely logical perspective equality is diametrically opposed to
freedom, yet these opposing perspectives (and the dynamic produced by
their constant conflict) is what we have come to describe as
democracy...Democracy, on another level, is diametrically opposed to a
capitalist system, yet such systems have come into being (i'm not sure
which came first, so let me avoid the chicken and egg controversy for
now,....)...but the creative tension between these two is what we now
contend with in America, and much of the world...

Taking this a bit further, Marx essentially taking the theological
primises/assumptions from Christianity - removing the notion of
diety...derived his solution for the capitalist universe...(Turning
Hegel on its head)...

Descartes, (You know, I think therefore I am) goes to great pains to
prove that God doesnot exist only to conclude that such a force
actually did...Neitche (God is Dead) after great pains...rediscovers a
new God...If God did not exist, humans would create one......
Parodox, the human condition, life's uncertainties...the more science
discovers the more we discover that we don't know...produces the
constant condition where we require a God...

The only constant in the universe is change, to a Greatt extent the
God concept/identity..alows us to grapple with that change...

and as is my custom...i still be me...rodney c...

and by the way...merry christmas, happy hannaka,
etc...etc....etc....and may my God bless you in the days and years to
come....



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"Only when lions have Historians will hunters cease being heroes." 
African Proverb

UMOJA, 
Still in the struggle

Rodney D. Coates
Director of Black World Studies
Associate Professor of Sociology
Miami University 
Oxford, Ohio - 45056

PH: 513-5291235