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THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT, revisited

usfan

Well-Known Member
This thread merely illustrates the transcendent truth that the parable/poem describes. Angry dogmatists, with no circumspection, lash out at anyone who perceives differently, or who even suggests that the Elephant may be Greater than our feeble perceptions.

It is sad, in a way, but it is also funny.. the madness and folly of humanity never fails to entertain.. ..don't be angry that i find dogmatism, from wherever it comes from, amusing.
 

atanu

Member
Premium Member
This thread merely illustrates the transcendent truth that the parable/poem describes. Angry dogmatists, with no circumspection, lash out at anyone who perceives differently, or who even suggests that the Elephant may be Greater than our feeble perceptions.

It is sad, in a way, but it is also funny.. the madness and folly of humanity never fails to entertain.. ..don't be angry that i find dogmatism, from wherever it comes from, amusing.

Yes. This thread actually exemplifies the essence of the story.
 

It Aint Necessarily So

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I interpret it as it is commonly seen, in every culture, as a light jab at the dogmatism of man. I've only included atheism, as one of the 'perceptions' of the Elephant. It fits exactly. The atheist does declare, 'there is no elephant!', while the dogmatic theists each proclaim THEIR perception as The Ultimate Truth. The parable is about perception and dogmatism. It is very simple.

Nobody seems to be buying that. Your purpose is clear - atheist bashing. You took a story that features seekers with limited senses and differing perspectives, one I've known all my life and never thought had anything to do with dogmatism, brought it here, added one more character who is radically different from all the rest, one who hisses disdainfully and calls seekers fools. You changed the message to your usual atheophobic one, have been called out on it, and retreat your usual position of trying to deflect discussion about your agenda with a "L'il ol' me just wants to discuss science with the angry atheists, but instead of evidence, all I get is indoctrination, religious zealotry, and false characterizations and narratives."

atheism is a belief. It is not 'proven fact!', or on a higher plane of philosophical opinion. Atheists can be (and many are) JUST AS DOGMATIC as any theist, and i thought this simple poem was inclusive, in embracing atheists into the brotherhood of man.

You've said that, but have been roundly rejected. You are a vector for a church that institutionalizes its bigotry for atheists. It generates people that it has taught to hate them, and sends them out into the world with its hateful, destruct ive mmessage. You are a willing vector for disseminating that hatred.

And please cease with the brotherhood of man thing. It's a lie your religion tells - love one another - as it goes about degrading the lives of its targeted and scapegoated groups. You ceased being my brother when you chose that path. Now, we work at cross purposes, you trying to do structural violence against atheists and atheism, and me pointing out what you have been enlisted to do.

How have i 'interpreted' this parable/poem in any way different than its classical interpretation, from any culture?

You've turned it into an indictment of atheism by adding an extra verse that is radically different from the ones preceding it. That was your purpose when you started this thread. It is your purpose with every thread - to promote your religion on the backs of atheists.

Cheap shots and phony narratives, are thrown at me constantly, but they have no validity or truth.

No, accurate descriptions of your stealth agenda have been offered. It makes no difference that you pay no attention to them and dismiss them all as some kind of bad-mannered malevolence. You're the one with the false, atheophobic narrative. Most of us are hard-working, law-abiding people trying to do right by our families and communities. Your religion's beef with us is that we reject it. We don't need it, and we don't want it.

But you do a great service by being so public with your religion's bigotry. I suspect that there are 99 church-going Christians hating atheists silently for every one like you that is open about it. It's such people that afford us the opportunity to make the case to atheists who might not be aware of just how much of an enemy Christianity is to them and hopefully, take an active interest in pushing back.
 

usfan

Well-Known Member
Nobody seems to be buying that. Your purpose is clear - atheist bashing. You took a story that features seekers with limited senses and differing perspectives, one I've known all my life and never thought had anything to do with dogmatism, brought it here, added one more character who is radically different from all the rest, one who hisses disdainfully and calls seekers fools. You changed the message to your usual atheophobic one, have been called out on it, and retreat your usual position of trying to deflect discussion about your agenda with a "L'il ol' me just wants to discuss science with the angry atheists, but instead of evidence, all I get is indoctrination, religious zealotry, and false characterizations and narratives."



You've said that, but have been roundly rejected. You are a vector for a church that institutionalizes its bigotry for atheists. It generates people that it has taught to hate them, and sends them out into the world with its hateful, destruct ive mmessage. You are a willing vector for disseminating that hatred.

And please cease with the brotherhood of man thing. It's a lie your religion tells - love one another - as it goes about degrading the lives of its targeted and scapegoated groups. You ceased being my brother when you chose that path. Now, we work at cross purposes, you trying to do structural violence against atheists and atheism, and me pointing out what you have been enlisted to do.



You've turned it into an indictment of atheism by adding an extra verse that is radically different from the ones preceding it. That was your purpose when you started this thread. It is your purpose with every thread - to promote your religion on the backs of atheists.



No, accurate descriptions of your stealth agenda have been offered. It makes no difference that you pay no attention to them and dismiss them all as some kind of bad-mannered malevolence. You're the one with the false, atheophobic narrative. Most of us are hard-working, law-abiding people trying to do right by our families and communities. Your religion's beef with us is that we reject it. We don't need it, and we don't want it.

But you do a great service by being so public with your religion's bigotry. I suspect that there are 99 church-going Christians hating atheists silently for every one like you that is open about it. It's such people that afford us the opportunity to make the case to atheists who might not be aware of just how much of an enemy Christianity is to them and hopefully, take an active interest in pushing back.
Paranoia and religious dogmatism runs deep.. :shrug:

..what else can i conclude?

You judgements and accusations of me are all unwarranted.. I'm just a scapegoat for your religious bigotry..
 
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