Time for another adventure in Common Sense.

Of the many crazy things that have become trendy to endorse, perhaps the craziest is the notion that nothing that happens to us in this life matters, not even if it gets us killed. Now, if somebody truly believed this, the place he should be seeking his answers, would be a psychiatrist's couch, not a Philosophy text. But there lies the problem. It has become "cute" and fashionable to argue things that one couldn't possibly believe, just to fit in with the crowd, and get a little attention for oneself.

So, the question is, how do we deal with people who have decided to indulge in this? Yes, they have the right to argue whatever they please, in the sense that force should not be brought to bear, to make it impossible for them to do so, or for them to be heard. But it does not follow from this that they have the right to do so without rebuttal, because the right of free expression, goes both ways. Nor does it follow, that if one exposes them to scorn, for what they've said, that one has in any sense violated their rights - AS LONG AS the likelihood of one's attempt to do so, is dependent on the validity of the argument one uses in the course of the attempt. To be entitled to a freedom, is not to be entitled to be sheltered from the consequences of a foolish use of that freedom.

It is our position that those around us continue to assent to the value of life merely by living, and so it is a thing granted, needing no defense. The value of life is found in its living and no other explanation of it is needed, because all such explanations begin in it. If, in your heart, you sincerely do feel no attachment to your life, or indifference to the life or another, or think that such feelings are things to be overcome - please seek help immediately. In our own personal lives, we've known a number of people who were held back from suicide or murder. Not one of them ever regretted it. So please, think about it, and give this suggestion a try.

But for those who just love to be difficult, I suppose, here's the lead-in and conceptual build up to our article, which has the sarcastic title of Interview with a Brave Man.

On a personal note, since it does come up, when I mention the concept of a reverence for life ...

No, I do not favor "abortion on demand". (Apparently, some think that it goes without saying that all Pagans will). Once a child's brain has formed, and it becomes capable of thought (second trimester), I can make no coherent sense of the notion that whether it is inside or outside the mother's body will make it less or more of a person. If the mother is in danger, that is one thing - society does not have the right to order someone to die. But if this is being done simply for convenience, that's just cold blooded murder, as far as I'm concerned, and I am NOT going to pay lip service to the notion that this is acceptable.

You do not have to be in favor of outlawing abortion to come here. But don't paint the pro-choice movement as some selfless and noble fight for freedom, and think that I will ever feel guilty for not joining in. Yes, there are conservative and moderate pagans.

Moving along ...