tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301106502012-03-01T01:31:42.596-05:00TRUTH, LOVE, SELF-SACRIFICE - SLIGHTLY BENTHarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-63578001287611331442007-09-24T23:33:00.000-04:002007-10-06T15:01:48.329-04:00

I take offense to CATHOLICS (OR ANY religious folk) who throw the word “peace” around as a salutation. Used at the end of their internet posts, their letters and their greeting cards, often in the most hypocritical way. Here’s my response to such a recent use by a upstanding Catholic on the yahoo group Theology and Religion (enjoy): Peach eh? What is anyone here doing to change anything about the

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-82558329183176407542007-09-17T02:21:00.000-04:002007-10-06T13:45:44.627-04:00

“Now I want to speak to you of another kind of aggression, aggression without war, where the aggressor comes not as a conqueror but as a champion of peace, of freedom, offering progress and plenty and hope to the unfortunates of the earth” - Richard Nixon on Communism We must devote special attention to the problems of those on the margins, those lacking adequate food or shelter, those addicted

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-91275945642780159022007-09-08T01:16:00.000-04:002007-09-08T02:29:15.088-04:00

“The brilliance of the American aristocracy is they’ve convinced the world they don’t exist... It’s safer that way. Unlike us [the old European aristocracy], they’re invisible targets...It’s very clever -- you teach them in America anyone can become rich, so that when they hate the rich, they hate themselves. It paralyzes them. All they can do is eat.” - Dirk Wittenborn, Fierce People

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-34088106836469868682007-09-03T16:56:00.000-04:002007-09-03T17:02:08.654-04:00

Judaism was an offshoot of the Egyptian religious beliefs. Moses was an Egyptian and when the Israelites rejected his attempts to explain his beliefs they sent him off for 40 years. When he returned, he demised a way to introduce those beliefs - he created concepts that taught his traditions without the complexities. He introduced the concept of one god and law to a lawless people. And he used

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-58262131470555065072007-07-01T11:47:00.000-04:002007-07-01T11:50:25.470-04:00

Anything we consider "evil" is perfectly acceptable in nature if we subtract man from the equation. Therefore, anything evil is natural outside conscious understanding of consequence. An understanding of consequence creates moral choices. Since we can understand that certain actions have detrimental consequences to other third parties, we can classify "good" (having a positive effect on

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-11943958200950943632007-06-08T00:31:00.000-04:002007-06-08T00:40:29.418-04:00

I think genetics, physiology (and chemical dependency), environment, imprinting (both moral and immoral) and circumstance plays a significant role in whether we can or can not be moral or make a moral choices. As such they can be an "influence in" or a "cause toward" eliminating a moral choice. Consequently, immoral actions are not simply the product of “free will” or choice. Often the choice to

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1153863778903683062007-05-26T14:53:00.000-04:002007-05-26T14:58:42.485-04:00

Scientifically speaking, there are chemical dependencies which results in physical dependancies which eliminate free will toward moral choices and actions. The physical dependancy (and physical need) is governing the choices. I would think that most people could at lease agree with this example. Then question then becomes is there some non-chemical dependency that may form which also eliminates

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-61290464786297874122007-05-24T23:55:00.000-04:002007-05-25T00:07:22.015-04:00

I see a number of causes for human behavior - morality (or a sense of right and wrong), chemical dependence (or biological influences), and genetics (or specific programming associated with survival of the fittest). Each operating collectively toward a dominant influence in any given situation which would require some action - some behavior. They are often in conflict. “They know not what they do

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-41215144373824146602007-05-20T22:14:00.001-04:002007-05-25T00:00:24.946-04:00

I think the basic design of our evolution toward survival made it necessary for packs to form. We do cooperate within packs for win-win results. But given the dynamics of the earth (scare resources etc.) it seems global cooperation would be unlikely. What’s more likely is the system of national packs we have now - all cooperating toward collective goals and (generally) uncooperative or violent

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-32844391998125237792007-02-17T14:15:00.000-05:002007-02-17T14:33:00.481-05:00

I wanted to find out what Christians are being taught as a result of being involved in their pack, So I went to Yahoo Answers and posed some simple questions.Question one:Can someone tell me what steps to take to accept Jesus as my savior? Some sample answers to this question: Baptism, Communion, Confession, Confirmation. This is what my religious family members do. It is so easy Simply confess

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-55960278130363732882007-01-24T00:55:00.000-05:002007-01-24T01:01:20.480-05:00

There’s a rather smug email being passed around - a multiple choice questionnaire in which numerous terrorist acts are the question and the answer is always something like: “Muslim Extremists under the Age of 30”. This mock quiz is intended to show just how animalistic Muslim “extremists” are and as some form of justification for going to war. Mostly what it stands for is a dehumanization of

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1169098994730943442007-01-18T00:30:00.000-05:002007-01-18T00:46:06.706-05:00

Without much of an introcution to this topic, I will note that I think that psychopaths are essentially amoral. Or put another way, they are simply animals acting solely on their programming without any influence from that part of us that is moral. Why this occurs I am not entirely sure - I would suggest that things like environment, genetics, experience, etc. play a role. Analogous to this

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1168930994325757832007-01-16T01:56:00.000-05:002007-01-16T02:20:19.676-05:00

I am going to briefly revisit my theory regarding conservative values. I am incited to do so by today’s Michael Medved radio show and his comments on homelessness. On the show today Mr. Medved noted that homeless people drive down the property values of otherwise hard-working individuals. He also noted that homeless people should either be imprisoned

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1166849370511772382006-12-22T23:44:00.000-05:002006-12-22T23:54:02.720-05:00

My underlying understanding of human beings is that our behavior mirrors that of animals and that we have an additional capacity for behaving in a way which is opposite to animals. That is to say that we have the “free will” to shut down our animal programs and behave in an opposite fashion. So, for example, we can steal like animals do or we can choose not to steal (even in the face of hardship)

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1165121422962668012006-12-02T23:43:00.000-05:002006-12-03T12:00:39.696-05:00

I wonder if Oprah Winfrey came to us today and said “last night I spoke to god and he said there’s a new set of rules to follow” if anyone would eagerly line up to get the hard copy? In a similar fashion, I wonder if a group of people led by Oprah came to my door and said “Larry Willaby just performed ten miracles and he says he the new messiah” if I could buy in to that? Especially if ten was

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1164775103548497252006-11-28T23:28:00.000-05:002006-12-03T12:01:54.046-05:00

I have a very close Jewish friend who is conservative in many respects. Today he sent me a video of the Glenn Beck Show (on youtube.com) about the propaganda used by Muslim extremists to sway public opinion. In the video (among other things) young Muslim children are taught to hate Jews and associate them with monkeys and pigs. As evidence of the power of these teachings, some children (as young

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1164485748708367732006-11-25T15:06:00.000-05:002006-12-03T12:20:10.733-05:00

I am an American. And there is no doubt in my mind that I live in the greatest and most civilized internal nation in the world. My standard of living is beyond adequate, my potential within this country is unlimited, and my status is subject simply to my abilities and work ethic. I am also a member of this world. I reside in a world with war and famine and hunger and strife and death and

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1164082427567850222006-11-20T23:10:00.000-05:002006-12-03T12:02:57.590-05:00

Inherently we Americans are drawn to conflict. Conflict (and often violence) it seems is always at the fringe of our behavior waiting to push it self to the surface. A middle finger, one guy who cuts you in line, or even a dirty look can set us off. For some of us resorting to conflict and violence requires nothing more than some form of insult. Nothing more than a simple word or two directed in

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1162449379555898512006-11-02T01:29:00.000-05:002006-12-03T12:06:29.630-05:00

Conservatism is a ploy. A ploy to get you (the middle class or non-wealthy) to help the wealthy and super wealthy in this country to protect their positions and possessions. Conservatism is a morally bankrupt belief system centered on self-interest. What conservatives seek is not to protect America (or the sanctity of America as they often claim) but rather the positions and the possessions of

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1157401147364833552006-09-04T16:01:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:06:59.663-05:00

It’s amazing to me that we live in such a supposed technologically advanced time and people are still running around thinking that things like rosary beads, doing the sign of the cross, wrapping themselves in shawls, wearing head gear and the like are going to make god happy and make an actual difference in peoples lives. Either in a positive way by following these rituals, or in a negative way

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1156549068571905722006-08-25T19:35:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:08:19.096-05:00

What motivates someone to spend hundreds of hours attempting to prove a conspiracy (like those who think 9-11 was the work of the United States) when no matter what they tend to prove their efforts go nowhere? Is it ego? Is it the concept of “I told you so”? Because realistically all the time and effort and examination of this and that and the general outcome is usually “who cares?”. Really, who

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1153728256221144382006-07-24T03:58:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:24:26.756-05:00

If we can at least agree that biology’s purpose is the evolution and survival of animals (humans) than biology (and survival of the fittest, social interaction and behavior) has a functional purpose (acting in concert) toward evolution and survival. And therefore a sense of right and wrong (when it causes behavior contrary to survival) could not have logically been created by biology. This

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1153294186374126292006-07-19T03:19:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:08:52.306-05:00

There is (for me) a misconception of what the brain does and does not do. Chomsky and other cognitive behaviorists have it half right. They are correct in that certain behaviors are learned via stimulus induced unconscious abilities (genetic programs). In addition, the brain is obviously a device which stores information for later retrieval (memories) as well as for the purposes of recall (fire

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1153032860437850542006-07-16T02:42:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:09:22.396-05:00

I read in the New York Post under “Weird But True” that a pregnant woman about to give birth to twins rushed in to a burning building to knowingly save a paralyzed woman. “I knew it was a risk to myself but I couldn’t leave her she said” (July 13, 2006). This is clearly an irrational act contrary not only to the survival of this woman but her unborn babies. It is therefore actually an

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1152603349196121602006-07-11T03:28:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:10:12.466-05:00

Did you ever wonder why a squirrel hoards nuts? How does he know to do that? Do the other squirrels get outraged when one squirrel has all the nuts and there are starving squirrels all over the forest? Everything considered "evil" (it seems) is acceptable in the survival of an animal - theft, hoarding, killing, even eating their own young. However, when we humans engage in this behavior there is

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1152388645859695622006-07-08T15:53:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:19:22.686-05:00

Like animals we humans like to defend out positions - even when they’re ridiculous. I don’t think it matters what we really believe - it’s all about conflict. That’s what the world is selling you in case you didn’t realize - they’re selling you conflict. In fact, when see a movie the principle element of that movie is conflict. Usually evil verses good or some offshoot of that principle. When you

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1152150646138191432006-07-05T21:38:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:13:49.836-05:00

Not surprisingly, our great democratic right to vote is a sham because the candidates are all card board cut out of themselves. Do the millionaires of this country really represent the interests of the poor and disenfranchised just because they say they are liberal or democrat? How come some poor guy from Ohio isn't our president? They always own oil fields lately.I realize that with the way we

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151820968935259832006-07-02T02:12:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:14:10.963-05:00

I’m not in the habit or reviewing movies, but I just saw Superman and need to vent. If you have not seen this movie and intend to do so, please do not read on as I give it all away. I usually have no problem dispelling my disbelief when I go to see a movie. However, some movies just insult even my most unimportant and unintelligent sensibilities. Superman is one of those movies that drives me

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151476438434717262006-06-28T02:30:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:27:09.146-05:00

"Now the mind is a very peculiar instrument in that once it picks up an idea from any source, from the worst possible source, once a mind picks up an idea, it tends to become possessive over it. It tends to say, 'Ah, this is my idea.' Then it goes to the next stage and says, 'This is not only my idea, but my life depends upon following it, believing it, protecting it.' And regardless of how

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151393822890120052006-06-27T03:35:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:27:56.603-05:00

I was watching the history of the Roman Empire on (of course) the History Channel yesterday. And it basically was the story of one dysfunctional or corrupt or tyrannical Emperor after the other (and the power hungry women who loved them) and I got to thinking - why do we expect so much from our modern day politicians? Clearly the Roman emperors had (in a joint sense) every bad quality a person

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151300094277023792006-06-26T01:25:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:28:16.390-05:00

One might ask why we should not expect god to be at least as reasonable and compassionate as the average person? Take a simple scenario that was given to me on a yahoo group: You are in the kitchen. You see a toddler headed towards a stove where a pot of oil bubbles away furiously. He reaches up... do you sit there and watch him do grievous harm to himself when he pulls it down, thinking pain,

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151083704732571302006-06-23T13:22:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:28:59.430-05:00

The story of Christianity has been around for thousands of years and is just a retold story of what was known by ancient peoples - with a nice twist. How far back does it go - probably the Sumerians. If we look at the Egyptians they told the same story. In the Egyptian story of creation, Seth is the god of confusion, and represents chaos and disorder, the constant and eternal challenge to the

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151007181925534972006-06-22T16:03:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:17:34.493-05:00

THE PROBLEM WITH CELL PHONES is that they are invasive. There was a story about a Wise Man who was in his living room with a Young Boy. There came a knock on the door and the Wise Man sat without moving. The Young Boy asked, "aren't you going to answer the door"? To which the Wise Man replied, "If I answered the door every time I heard a knock I would be as simple as Pavlov's dogs. And

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30110650.post-1151006390283422942006-06-22T15:36:00.000-04:002006-12-03T12:38:36.050-05:00

SO MANY BAD THINGS ARE HAPPENING lately I thought it would be a good way to start my Blog with a little (light) discussion about a god who could cause or permit suffering and death and destruction of innocent people. And answer the question of whether or not god is a loving god? Where is god while people and natural disasters are causing suffering (through acts like terrorist bombings)? Do

Harryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04624703902187472843noreply@blogger.com1