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Title: Mysticism Claims More Victims
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URL Source: http://www.theobjectivestandard.com ... g/index.php/author/aarmstrong/
Published: Feb 19, 2012
Author: Ari Armstrong
Post Date: 2012-02-19 18:22:09 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 246
Comments: 7
CNN reports two recent atrocities: In central Nepal, a “40-year-old mother of two was burned alive . . . after she was accused of being a witch.” The woman “was attacked and set on fire by family members and others after a shaman allegedly accused her of casting a spell to make one of her relatives sick.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Court threatens a Canadian citizen with execution because the man “wrote a program to upload photos to the Internet.” That became a legal issue when a different party used the program “to upload pornography,” which, the court found, resulted in “insulting and desecrating Islam.” What enables such atrocities to happen in the 21st century, an era in which science and technology enable people to fly around the world, bounce television and communication signals off of satellites, and perform complex heart surgeries? How is it possible, in this day and age, that people still set family members on fire for being “witches”—and that governments still threaten to kill people over sex or nudity? What permits such utter terror, depravity, injustice, and barbarism? The answer is mysticism, which Ayn Rand described as “the acceptance of allegations without evidence or proof, either apart from or against the evidence of one’s senses and one’s reason.” Those who seriously believe that a shaman reveals secret knowledge, or that an ancient book prescribes the will of a “deity,” willfully turn their eyes and their minds from reality to embrace the unproved and unprovable, the arbitrary, and, consequently, the horrific. 
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
I wouldn't call it mysticism. The term implies spiritual understanding. The examples above are not those tied to spiritualists, it applies to those who lack spiritual understanding. I'd say they are religious fanatics, extremists, or fundamentalists, who take every word of their holy book literally, making no adjustment for translations or esoteric meanings. That, or they believe every word of their "religious leader". Yep, and here's where we get into the "which version of the book(s)", and how were those specific books chosen.
Not just that, but WHO wrote those books, and WHO chose which ones were "valid". It doesn't matter what they believe. It is when they force those beliefs onto others that the problems start. -------------------------------------------------------- Vote Santorum!
Stake burnings at the WH? The writer clearly has no clue as to the difference in meaning between the words "Superstition" and "Mysticism". Mysticism is the philosophical/religious belief that one can attain enlightenment spontaneously through spiritual insight - whether via the mind of God, or some other agency. Superstition is unjustified belief in supernatural causation for events, actions, or consequences. For Example Darwinianism and its superstitious belief that life spontaneously arose from mud, without ever explaining how the mud got their in the first place. Or The belief by liberals that the solution to government crimes and tyranny is more government. The answer is mysticism, which Ayn Rand described as “the acceptance of allegations without evidence or proof, either apart from or against the evidence of one’s senses and one’s reason.” Those who seriously believe that a shaman reveals secret knowledge, or that an ancient book prescribes the will of a “deity,” willfully turn their eyes and their minds from reality to embrace the unproved and unprovable, the arbitrary, and, consequently, the horrific.
"The real deal is this: the ‘royalty’ controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
#2. To: FormerLurker (#1)
who take every word of their holy book literally, making no adjustment for translations or esoteric meanings
#3. To: Jethro Tull (#2)
here's where we get into the "which version of the book(s)", and how were those specific books chosen.
"The real deal is this: the ‘royalty’ controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
#4. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
The answer is mysticism, which Ayn Rand described as “the acceptance of allegations without evidence or proof, either apart from or against the evidence of one’s senses and one’s reason.” Those who seriously believe that a shaman reveals secret knowledge, or that an ancient book prescribes the will of a “deity,” willfully turn their eyes and their minds from reality to embrace the unproved and unprovable, the arbitrary, and, consequently, the horrific.
Somebody ought to tell the truth about the Bible. The preachers dare not, because they would be driven from their pulpits. Professors in colleges dare not, because they would lose their salaries. Politicians dare not. They would be defeated. Editors dare not. They would lose subscribers. Merchants dare not, because they might lose customers. Men of fashion dare not, fearing that they would lose caste. Even clerks dare not, because they might be discharged. And so I thought I would do it myself... Robert Ingersoll
#5. To: PSUSA2 (#4)
It is when they force those beliefs onto others that the problems start.
#6. To: Jethro Tull, Esso (#5)
Vote Santorum!
#7. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
The answer is mysticism, which Ayn Rand described as “the acceptance of allegations without evidence or proof, either apart from or against the evidence of one’s senses and one’s reason.” Those who seriously believe that a shaman reveals secret knowledge, or that an ancient book prescribes the will of a “deity,” willfully turn their eyes and their minds from reality to embrace the unproved and unprovable, the arbitrary, and, consequently, the horrific.
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