I wanted to express how much the article resonated with me. The duality it portrays is a theme that many will surely recognize. It's true, each cycle brings forth fresh understandings.
I feel the need to defend the philosophical practice of reductio ad absurdum. I rarely see atheists bring up the Flying Spaghetti Monster in response merely to belief, unless that belief is encroaching on public education or government ground. The FSM is originally and ultimately the defender of church / state separation. It wasn't created to mock belief, it was to stop belief of others from harming the rest of us.
Now if you're a student of religious schools, this concept might not be as near and dear to you. So this mockery is typically proportional with the effect belief is going to inflict on the victim. If some one tells me that they are a Deist, honestly the odds of the FSM coming up in the conversation are slim. There are no real world effects of that belief. But if I'm told that by law women should live with only their eyes showing, or a god demands worship in public schools, or certain holy images belong in the courthouse... well, I might dust off the shield of FSM again. I haven't had to use it in decades, but it clearly has a purpose still.
That's really interesting. I didn't know the history of FSM. I'v only come across it in You Tube comments sections and quora where I usually see it employed by the New Athiest internet types.
Being a shallow thinker it is surprising I read the entire essay, all the while feeling I was outside my depth even though the essay resonated. I told myself the essay was too long and this pondering Jew, not me, overthings the world. Yes I still read the entire essay, understanding little but appreciating it nonetheless.
Shalom Jaacov,
I wanted to express how much the article resonated with me. The duality it portrays is a theme that many will surely recognize. It's true, each cycle brings forth fresh understandings.
Awesome
A beautiful piece 💕
Thankyou Charlie!
So beautifully written and so much to ponder
Thank you once again 🙏
I feel the need to defend the philosophical practice of reductio ad absurdum. I rarely see atheists bring up the Flying Spaghetti Monster in response merely to belief, unless that belief is encroaching on public education or government ground. The FSM is originally and ultimately the defender of church / state separation. It wasn't created to mock belief, it was to stop belief of others from harming the rest of us.
Now if you're a student of religious schools, this concept might not be as near and dear to you. So this mockery is typically proportional with the effect belief is going to inflict on the victim. If some one tells me that they are a Deist, honestly the odds of the FSM coming up in the conversation are slim. There are no real world effects of that belief. But if I'm told that by law women should live with only their eyes showing, or a god demands worship in public schools, or certain holy images belong in the courthouse... well, I might dust off the shield of FSM again. I haven't had to use it in decades, but it clearly has a purpose still.
That's really interesting. I didn't know the history of FSM. I'v only come across it in You Tube comments sections and quora where I usually see it employed by the New Athiest internet types.
It would be wrong to pretend atheists (especially the young) don't get some frustration out in the peanut gallery...
Being a shallow thinker it is surprising I read the entire essay, all the while feeling I was outside my depth even though the essay resonated. I told myself the essay was too long and this pondering Jew, not me, overthings the world. Yes I still read the entire essay, understanding little but appreciating it nonetheless.
I really liked this piece. The vacillation between an emotional and intellectual relationship with faith and God really resonates with me. Thank you.