Author's Q&A
Know more about the author
For the second part: yes. It would be easier to write it out like a textbook. The reason I divide the writing up – into three parts actually – is simple. One: I believe it makes it more readable. Along this same line the text itself is intended for those people who have a passing interest in the subject matter; they are interested in being entertained but don’t want to be burdened. This is all well and good but the chapter notes are included to clarify or expand on the concept of the chapter for those who do want more. The third section (Words: like the Words section on the site only continually expanding for upcoming chapters) is for those who would like to develop an actual working knowledge of the subject matter.
Lastly but perhaps most important: I am keeping the chapters short on purpose. It would be easy to ramble on (about anything really) but the idea is to give readers a concise representation of at times very complex concepts so that they can then begin to think about the concepts on their own.
I’ve never met him.
I have long ignored this question. I answer it now only because I am sick and tired of hearing it. The argument for and against abortion is; in fact, the same argument. It is a question of morality on both sides.
The real argument is whose morality.
Organized religion; in its tireless attempt to coerce its collective morality on every individual, argues against abortion by claiming that abortion is murder. As for this accusation of murder, a child in the womb is of the same body as the mother: one and the same. Ever has it been that a mother would – or would not – give a child. Ever so shall it be.
Organized religion only seeks to label abortion murder because giving it this status would simply be the easiest way to force their own morality on every individual. They try to disguise their true intention by claiming that they are only doing ‘God’s will.’ This is of course a blatant lie. God has given us free will so that we; as individuals, can decide our own morality.
So every woman individually must decide for or against abortion based on her own morality. As a man I would not presume to tell a woman to have or not to have an abortion any more then I would presume to tell a woman how to cut her own hair. The argument for and against abortion does not belong in any religious or political forum. The argument does not even belong to the opinion of a man; which I am. While morality only exists in the domain of the individual, the argument for and against abortion only exists in the domain of a woman. A woman: and no other.
I do not write this in ignorance. I have two beautiful daughters. I am thankful to their mother for deciding to have them.
I am thankful to God for their keep.
This is three different questions. As to the right to express my opinion I refer you to the 1st Amendment. As for my ‘attack’ on faith: there isn’t one. My writing will be either an insurrection of faith or the resurrection thereof. That is for each individual reader to decide. As for my attack on religion: consider it an assault. Organized religion (all of them) should use their resources to explain spiritual laws instead of trying to enforce them.
No; and if you’ve ever read anything I’ve ever written you would know that I despise secular humanism. I wear the only two labels I must: I am a being of the human variety.
An insightful question but no. I do regard Buddhism with the utmost respect; as it is neither just a religion nor a philosophy. If I were to have to claim any religion/philosophical model as my own it just may be Buddhism: as Buddhism is more about the path to seek enlightenment then simply being granted it. This nuance alone however could also make me a Gnostic; or any esoteric variety of Christian.
I am not against the bible. I use the bible as a reference as I believe the bible is a source of truth. I do not believe however that it is the only source of truth: everyone knows that the bible has been edited. Not everyone seems to know that there are entire books that have been edited out.
I use biblical references for a reason: I am a citizen of the United States of America (and proud of it) and in the United States of America most people consider themselves to be Christian. This I neither view as good or bad; though questions along the lines of Darwin, Descartes, or even Nietzsche or Kant, I would most likely prefer.