Originally, the Religion forum was a natural offshoot of a front-page news-clipper that included archaeological (e.g. Shroud of Turin) and astronomical (e.g. origin of Universe) information that had religious implications. It seemed wise enough to put aside a spot for that discussion, perhaps in anticipation of the eventual disruption of more scientific discussions. At least, that's how I looked at it.
And for a time, the Religion forum was a driving force; at one point we had a forum for Christianity and a separate forum for other issues.
Now it's just a relic. There
is an academic value to discussing religion, but very few topics in the history of this site have ever achieved that level.
Part of the problem of the seeming inflexibility of the factions is that it's in the nature of religious rhetoric to be a stiffy. In the end, it's just a lack of creativity on everybody's part.
The purpose of talking about anything can be described in utilitarian terms. However, the lowest common denominator for human communication involves a template that has no regard for utility. It was once calculated, for instance, that women in the U.S. spoke about 8,000 words a day, and men between 3,000 and 5,000. It's not so much the fact that the women are speaking more that is unsettling, but how prevalent are social standards that cause those words to be pointless and absurd. Don't get me wrong, I'm not just knocking women, either. The redeeming thing about men in this case is that they speak fewer words. There's a reason the strong, silent type is admired and desired. And also suspected.
But not everybody understands the value of communication in terms that make their communication worth anything. Or if that's too harsh, we might go with terms that give their communication progressive value.
Sometimes I look back on the vapid aspects of my childhood with shame. For some reason, naîvete isn't as gratifying in remembrance as it is in other people. And believe me, we said some downright stupid things in my day. But the period since has left me gasping because things have only gone downhill. People don't communicate anymore. Yes, that's a broad generalization, but we've become so paranoid as a culture that it's really hard to get any group, be it a couple or a whole nation, to keep the utility of their endeavors in focus.
Yes, it's a little like treading water while trying to get the shotgun into your mouth while sparing a toe to ... oh, never mind.
Yes, some days it seems futile. But watched pots
do boil. I promise.
In the Wind of the mind arises the turbulence called I.
It breaks; down shower the barren thoughts.
All life is choked.
This desert is the Abyss wherein is the Universe. The Stars are but thistles in that waste.
Yet this desert is but one spot accursèd in a world of bliss.
Now and again Travellers cross the desert; they come from the Great Sea, and to the Great Sea they go.
As they go they spill water; one day they will irrigate the desert, till it flower.
See! five footprints of a Camel! V. V. V. V. V.
Perdurabo, 42nd Lie
