[MD] Faith

[Ant McWatt]

The one & only David Buchanan stated July 29th:

>I think "faith" is very low quality stuff and that it can... damage 
>religion as much as science and >intellect. As Pirsig says, these 
>smart-talking theists destroy religion. As Ken Wilber says, theistic 
> >religion is the killing jar of genuine spirituality. As Campbell says, I 
>don't need faith, I have >experience. As Jung says, theistic religion not 
>only fails in leading us to a mystical experience, it >actually forestalls 
>them.

Ant McWatt comments:

I agree with that last sentiment judging from the theists I know.  It seems 
unlikely that they will ever reach an understanding of DQ because of the 
static blocking that their "religious faith" causes.  It seems to me that 
you have certain individuals who have these mystical experiences and then 
sometimes they encourage other people to follow the static fallout of these 
experiences rather than (as per the Buddha) encourage others to seek out 
their own mystical experiences.  I think only the Buddha (out of the primary 
mystics we know such as Jesus, Mohammed, etc) really ever got that right.

I was very encouraged therefore at the last weekend to see an inordinate 
amount of psychedelics being taken at a festival that I attended in the 
South of England.  Despite the Blairism, the bishops and all the other power 
maniacs, people are still managing to seek their own Dynamic path to 
enlightenment (and, er... also have a good time).  Do we need anyone else to 
tell us what is good and what is not good?  No and thank Zeus, at least 
Pirsig emphasised that by putting that quote at the front of his first book. 
  Like the word God, faith is a four letter word in the MOQ and should be 
avoided whenever possible!

>Anyway, this is one of my favorite topics and rather than blather, I'll 
>refer you to the conference paper I delivered last Summer in Liverpool. Its 
>called "Fun with Blasphemy" and can be found, along with the other papers, 
>at robertpirisg.org.

Also David's paper has been recently extended (the new "Director's Cut") so 
even if you checked it out last year, have another look.   Also look out for 
the hidden Bill Hicks link on the same page and laugh at the stupidity of it 
all.

Best wishes,

Anthony.


P.S. Horse was at the same festival last weekend with a piece of string tied 
to his leg to keep him from floating off.  I believe he's still ten feet off 
the ground....

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