[MD] What all is about.

[Ham Priday]

Mornin' Peter --


> I am not in a position where I can get this Bicameral Mind theory
> out of the way. ...I like it because, as an atheist I have to confront
> the question of how did the idea of God arise? For me Jaynes'
> proposal provides a possible fit in the jigsaw of ontology.
[skip]
> I agree that there is little significant difference between the
> Christian fundamentalist and the Muslim but do you not hold your
> 'Essence' as a 'Divine Being'? If not, then are you not, by your own
> argument, a nihilist?  I don't consider myself a nihilist.

I always find it incredulous when a self-professed atheist denies being a 
nihilist.  If you are truly an atheist you are not only opposed to theism, 
you reject God or any concept of a supra-natural or transcendent source of 
sensibility and value.  To me, that's nihilism, pure and simple.

To answer your question, I do not believe that 'being' can be divine, but I 
do believe in the absolute Essence of reality which is beyond human 
description.   That could conceivably make me an atheist too, except that 
I'm not opposed to theism.  I see belief in God as an expression of man's 
innate spirituality.

> I think the Muslim extremist is more nihilist. I do not deny my own
> existence as an individual and I rely on my proprietary awareness as
> my measure of relative truth and value; just as you, and we all,
> cannot help but do.

I would like to know why you think the Muslim (extremist or moderate) is 
more nihilistic than you are.  I'd also like to know if my belief in a 
transcendent essence qualifies me as an atheist in your opinion.

Regards,
Ham