Common Sense tells us that in the final analysis, the rich nations cannot afford for there to be extreme poverty around the world, especially in a world where everyone can see everything, on TV and on the internet. Common Sense also says that even the wealthiest corporations will need to expand their markets to compete in an ever competitve world. Also, repressive regimes who made pacts with the devil, may come to understand that the devil is now after them, and that a Vision of Hope may be a better way to keep the peace. Put all this together, and you may just have the right ingredients for reconfiguring the order of things.

Wealthy nations may begin to consider investments in Africa and the Middle East as good investments, and in their best interests. Corporations may be induced to venture forth into previously uncharted waters, as is happening in China, India, and Russia. And repressive regimes may begin to embrace the possibility of Selling a Vision of Hope if they come to believe that a transition to freedom is their best chance to keep the peace, and to hold on to their power.

I know it’s a stretch. But you see, Common Sense is an elastic kind of ideology which can easily stretch to accomodate the circumstances at hand.

With Capitalism in place(the reality on the ground), some of these cavemen, especially the powerful (corporations), are only able to survive and become profitable at the expense of the other cavemen. It is more common than not for the unjust caveman to be more profitable than the just.

We’ll have to get back to this come December.

You say:

The cavemen were relatively good to each other because realities on the ground made it clear to them that if they were to survive, which was an open question, they would have no choice but to help one another out

With Capitalism in place(the reality on the ground), some of these cavemen, especially the powerful (corporations), are only able to survive and become profitable at the expense of the other cavemen. It is more common than not for the unjust caveman to be more profitable than the just. And the key for them, to remain powerful and profitable ofcourse, is to keep these other cavemen in the cave and away from the truth. The question then is, how do we break out of the cave? How do we regain control of our lives and our knowledge, in all respects?

The cavemen were relatively good to each other because realities on the ground made it clear to them that if they were to survive, which was an open question, they would have no choice but to help one another out. See the film The Rise of Man on the Discovery Channel.

So I ask you: Is our current reality any different? Are we going to survive if we’re not going to start helping each other out? And if the answer is no; isn’t it about time to begin creating realities on the ground which will, by necessity, point us in the right direction? Isn’t it time to look back to prehistoric history and determine what it will take to keep our stay here somewhat permanent? Remember, in the overall scheme of things, the move toward “modernity” is a relatively new trip.

Sound practical intelligence is rare, and most people are not reasonable.

Well I have to agree with you there…. and thats where, as I said before, this kind of ideology will fall short. It’s all great when we can get reasonably reasonable people to talk about these things. But how are we going to reach the irrational, unreasonable, ignorant powerful? They are not interested in talking and reasoning.

11. sound practical intelligence: He has no sense.
12. something that is sensible or reasonable: to talk sense.

Sound practical intelligence is rare, and most people are not reasonable. Doubly so if the topic at hand is religion, since religion is essentially an exercise in nonsense.

“Senses of different persons can go converging” thats the underlying basis of Common Sense, I think.

Do you think it is impossible?

god is a man made word, man made idol like any other form of idols from long long long …. from the time that some man wanted superiority to others. pray to fucking god, as long as you believe god belongs to people, not just you, you shouldn’t get upset about “fucking god”

I fully understand what you say: “an air of superiority”. probably I should have spent a little more time to choose better words, maybe.

Ive experienced classes of several great atheist philosophers and I feel proud of that. very thoughtful people they were, with a good understanding of God, Religion, etc. Honestly, I dont have anything against them.

but some of these so-called atheists we see around, they dont have any grasp of science and still claim it. being humble to such people is a little hard.

I think that athiests often confuse religion with God. Religion is an interpretation of God. But God is God, and His presence is felt, in the things He created, whether we believe in Him or not. Religion can give God a bad rap, but religion is not God. God is the energy that created all things, and how could you logically argue that such energy does not exist?

And to And, I would say that I, for one, do share your passion for peace. I am searching for a way as we speak. And as we speak, I become more convinced that peace is possible.

Sometimes I think of the earth as a satelite floating in space on
which is being conducted an experiment of sorts: you take equal parts of good and evil, and mix in a touch of common sense, and a whole bunch of nonsense, for good measure, and see which way things will go. The earth is moving briskly toward some sort of ultimate culmination of world events. How we decide will make all the difference in the world, and everything we know and love hangs in the balance.

But I am comforted by your passion, and by your willingness to talk to one another, in a rational and sensitive manner. As And suggests, our ability and willingness to reach one another, with common sense and with a sense of personal dignity, is probably the most significant determinant of how our destiny will play out.

And I understand Omid, it is very difficult to express your thoughts and feelings over the internet, but that is why we have to be extra careful, and choose our words wisely. It really did appear (although more so with Mohammed) that there was an air of superiority in what you were saying in response to athiesm/athiests.

As far as Muslims thinking their the only true way, ***NEWS FLASH***

So does every one else…That doesn’t bother me. If it did, I would have a different attitude about it all.

Jina you seem pessimistic and sceptically about theological discussion. Do you not feel that its possible to have a humane exchange? Was it something I did? Of course their are belligerent people that post, but im not one of them.

Just because we believe we are right or think we are right doesn’t mean we can’t examine and look at the others point of view. We need more of that to foster understanding.

But this never happens does it?

Some here think that Islam is the only “true” religion and refuse to accept any other as even a possible path to “god”.

I think you are a little too quick to judge who or what exactly is intolerant.

Explain why?

In any case…atheists are not any less deserving of respect. Of course not. Whatever floats your boat. it was the logic I viewed and come across often when talking to them that I was questioning.

I can say the same for theists.

no one is willing to look at the point of view of the other side because of our preconceived notion that we are right or other’s don’t know much because I am something they are not

Just because we believe we are right or think we are right doesn’t mean we can’t examine and look at the others point of view. We need more of that to foster understanding.

I think you are a little too quick to judge who or what exactly is intolerant.

Like every other issues, no one is willing to look at the point of view of the other side because of our preconceived notion that we are right or other’s don’t know much because I am something they are not… bla bla bla… intolerance come in many forms… this is just one of it… bla..

Hey i apologize if I came off a little intolerant or arrogant. Far be it from me. often times we forget that the words you type lack a tone and moreover there is no visual cues or body language to supplement what I am saying. There is often an image or idea we have in our minds about how someone is conveying what they are saying in a chat or a forum. its usually erroneous.

In any case…atheists are not any less deserving of respect. Of course not. Whatever floats your boat. it was the logic I viewed and come across often when talking to them that I was questioning. Mohammad is right though, most of the time the discussion only leads downhill.

Well I was asking how we can work towards world peace. And I think you outlined that rather well. And I don’t think it is out there at all. I think that kind of movement is exactly what is neccessary. And as And points out it is up to US to actively work towards that change NOW.

Omid,

I see your tolerance towards different religions, but I feel that a tolerance towards ‘athiests’ is also necessary. I understand the fustration of having to deal with some trying to prove the denial of ‘God’ but we must also appreciate that that is their desired belief. There are people from every ideological stand point that will try to force their ideas on us, and some who are happy for it simply to be their own. We must not allow the forceful few to rile our emotion and disrupt the work we can do with everyone else.

if you pay a little more attention to the comments you are going to criticize, you will find out that there is no need to ask such questions.

1- what I recommended Omid was not to waste his time to find a scientific proof for the existence of God (of that kind that Atheists ask us to bring), for that Science, i.e. Practical Sciences, are inherently unable to prove anything.

2- Omid asked you to visit a page as a sample, and there are enough scientific studies which suggest that a system of belied might help the person establish a better quality of life.

There is ironically scientific studies done on those who consider themselves believers and those who do not. Those who do not are much more susceptible to suicide, depression, marital and social/personal relationship problems.
This is just one example.

You want to provide me with a source to back this up or did your god tell you this?