Re: [pf] A compassionate and reverential attitude toward everything

No you've got it right, although we could use the term First Cause rather
than theological language- I used the language that I was most comfortable
with.  A discussion can be had surrounding the existence of a First Cause,
which is sentient without going into the theological arguments as to whether
that means worshipping it or not, and all thats tied to that area of
inquiry.

Best-

Matthew
----- Original Message -----
From: "David MacClement" <davd@ihug.co.nz>
To: "Positive Futures" <positive-futures@igc.topica.com>
Cc: "MacClement" <peter@ihug.co.nz>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 4:35 PM
Subject: [pf] A compassionate and reverential attitude toward everything


> **  In order, edited:
>
> At 10:34 19/01/00 -0800, Molly wrote:
> >I think animals and people can connect at as deep a level (or deeper)
> >than humans can with each other. I don't think I'm unusual.
> >
> At 18:37 19/01/00 -0800, Arianna wrote:
> > I believe that all life is self-aware and has as much soul as humans.
> >Therefore I try to treat all creatures with respect, particularly
> >the many dogs and cats who are a regular part of my life.  When I treat
them
> >the same way I do another human, they respond in a completely different
way
> >than they do to humans who look down on them.  Dogs treat me as equals,
cats
> >treat me as a beloved inferior.
> >  Which my Siamese companion says is as it should be.  :}  Arianna
>
> At 22:22 19/01/00 -0800, Kaleopono wrote:
> >I'm inclined to perceive the entire universe as self-aware, even
> >rocks and other inanimate substances.  A compassionate and
> >reverential attitude toward everything in our environment is
> >worthwhile striving to attain.
> >    My experience is similar to Arianna's and others who have
> >commented ...  I give animals respect as my equal, just as I do
> >other humans.  And the animals definitely respond in like kind!
> >
> At 07:35 21/01/00 -0800, Matthew wrote:
> >Exactly.  That which is Divine, by whatever term cannot be any less than
> >Itself, despite the multitude of expressions.  The existence of this
> >self-awareness, soul or Divinity of all Life is the fundamental
assumption
> >on which the notions of  Truth, Reality, and the Good are based.
> >
>
>
> **  I agreed with most of what Molly & Arianna said (though I don't
believe
> a family pet with the damage potential of a large dog should feel itself
> the equal of /any/ human, even a toddler), but started disagreeing at
> Kaleopono (there's no way a rock can be aware; Gaia: maybe), and I'm
> writing this to totally disagree with Matthew's statement that Truth,
> Reality, and the Good would not exist if The Divine did not exist. At
> least, that's how I interpret what he actually said.
>
> **  I know I'm away out in left field on this, so I explicitly do not ask
> for response; I simply assert the value of atheism as a philosophy.
>
> David.
> (David MacClement) davd@ihug.co.nz
> www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/3142/Pg1-AD11.html
>  or better: http://www.emucities.com.au/member/davd/
> ****************************************************
>
>
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