Re: Crick on Humanism and Religion

Bastian wrote: 

We (Steve and I) spoke about theists or atheists and their crimes.  When
there are crimes then these crimes often differ only in the label. Do you
really disagree?
You changed the angle of view and wrote about different human reasons,
conditions and circumstances.
Then you are right, but it's an other topic.  It is difficult to discuss all
together.

>
With no law there is no crime. This is not always a positive thing.

Just because things are difficult to discuss is no reason not to discuss them. Quite the opposite - in my opinion. 


The stigmatisation of people as 'felons' or 'murderers' fails to
recognise that 'there, but for the grace of god, go I'.



I don't quite understand - do you quote Paul, the apostle?  He knew that he
was a murderer in the name of god, and now got the "grace of god". But this
would be again an other topic.
>
No, I don't quote St. Paul. I quote Boswell (at least I think that I paraphrased him).

The point of my remark was that the man who was going to be hanged, drawn and quartered (an extremely nasty way to die) was unfortunate and those watching (including the man quoted) understood that, but for their circumstances being different, they might indeed be on the scaffold. The point is one of empathy. 


Murderers are most of all us in the raw. Find the person who has never
wished the death of his sexual rival and you've found a liar.



And again a new topic.
But of course, that's one of the human problems: to do not all things which
one wishes to do.  It's a problem which is dealed I think  in all
cultures/religions - the theme for example in the story of Cain and Abel.
In this difference between  wishes and acts - and the necessity to decide
according the conscience -  I find one of the keys to understand why humans
need conscious/deliberate cultural traditions (I call it "religion").

Is English your second language?

I think, if that is the case (as I think it is) that you probably miss some of the jokes, subtleties and incidental points that are made here.

That isn't your fault, but English is a subtle language (as are most others when used precisely) so you venture into this sort of discussion unarmed. No problem with that, I admire your courage, but do expect rather 'sideways' responses.



--
"Aye, of that Chingis was it said that while he carpeted all Asia with bones, yet might a virgin with a bag of gold walk the length of his dominions without harm, so perfect was his governance" - George MacDonald Fraser, 'The Candlemass Road'
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