The notion of heathen culture is etymologically oxymoronic.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Etymology can be helpful but it does not define modern useage of words. The context of the post did seem a bit far reaching. We can put deep psychological and cultural labels on anything we wish. I do not believe there is a god. It is not due to my culture but dispite it. I do not think I'm cool for not believing. It is not a social status( it would be a poor one). I do not care about being the Maverik. I just want to be recognized if at all a normal human being that cares about humans. This post was interesting but I did not find it particularly usefull rather I think it could be confusing to many.
DavidLaDeau
Level 8
Jan 8, 2020
1
We have a plan, it’s called democracy, government and law. Religion hasn’t prevented, hubristic, fractious, tribal behaviour, anymore than government and law has, I would argue.
Much of most cultures’ government and laws have come about due to their predominant religion at the time of creation, and so we have used them to inform our current system: thus we have not thrown the baby out with the bath water, simply evolved.
(P.s. religions know this, shown by the funding they provide at times to forward their beliefs in the system, when they feel it is getting too progressive.)
girlwithsmiles
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
0
I really like this, but see things as oxymoronic if only you want to characterize the universe (and you might be correct in doing so) as having an order that's much more sophisticated. it only appears as chaos to the more feeble minded (mankind). I just see one form of culture calling another form heathen. culture A being supposedly domesticated and living in a plowed row (disciplined) and relatively free of weeds wishing to characterize the other culture B as somehow less sophisticated. growing wild on the hillside in a chaotic pattern. it defies the domestication of culture A, choosing a pattern it's probably more chaotic than the disciplined mind can fit into a box. the disciplined mind of culture A only recognizing what it can make sense of and disregarding the rest. whereas the discipline of Culture B is complex in the same way that the chaos of the universe is. it's incomprehensible if you have your disciplined mind in the way. just growing on the hillside sounds like a much better idea.
hankster
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
3
You’re exactly right. I’m not imposing a vaue judgment; just noticing relationships. Cultivated is different from wild; not necessarily better. An argument could easily be made (and I do often) that we would be a lot better off not to have invented agriculture. But we did, and now I doubt we can go back.
the actual behavior of the group is secondary to the use of the word heathen im guessing. the self ascribed sophistication of those who were doing the name calling was all that mattered. I doubt the heathens considered themselves heathens.
@Leontion good thing we got that selective Amnesia thing going. of course when you think about it we have so much in common with those of our species and the culture of when and where we live there really isn't a lot of wiggle room even when it seems like miles. even a trump supporter probably likes pizza and ice cream.
You make some good points and I am in basic agreement. I especially like your statement that religion has never been about belief in unbelievable things.
By all means, let’s throw out the bath water and keep the baby. I’m not sure how much of that baby concerns discipline and planning. While we all need discipline and planning for various undertakings, I think of religion as deep awareness, awe and reverence for the mysteries of reality. In so far as that reverence is facilitated through discipline, planning and analysis, then you are correct.
As an analogy, to obtain a PHD in physics requires intense discipline and planning. To make revolutionary discoveries about nature requires an independent and open mind, a free spirit, curiosity and wonder.
WilliamFleming
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
3
There you go again with opinions that are just opinions but postrd as if a truism wuth yourself as supporting link. Again, that's what you think, does not make it true or real. In fact I think the statement is bullshit and that is my opinion.
Mofo1953
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
1
@hankster calling someone trumpian is absolutely an insult because trump is a traitor and an imbecile, saying your statement is bullshit, yes I said bullshit a common word used all over, you seem too prudish by typing b****, get real dude, bullshit a word commonly used not as an insult but let's use Webster's definition to educate you:
bullshit
[ˈbo͝olˌSHit]
NOUN
stupid or untrue talk or writing; nonsense.
synonyms:
balderdash · [more]
VERB
talk nonsense to (someone), typically to be misleading or deceptive.
Thus it does not reach that level of personal insult that you want to give it.
@hankster yes but my opinion on myself is valid because I know myself, your opinion is not because you don't know me at all. And when I comment it is my opinion, thus could be right or could be wrong. I've read all comments, some are positive some aren't as all opinions are. The empty air you say is, once agaon your opinion, and wrong again because if it was empty air as you say, why be such a busy body to defend a post by someone else with endless droning boring repetitive non sensical crap, empty air doesn't and wouldn't elicit countless retorts from your side basically repeating the same idiocy.
Because Egypt, Sumeria, Persia, and most of South America, plus African empires.......
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
1
Depends on how you define heathen doesn't it.
Davesnothere
Level 7
Jan 6, 2020
3
No, it depends on the etymology of heathen.
@skado which depends on how any user is using the term heathen.
noun
- a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those who do.
If the term is not being used as a derogatory (those heathens!), then how is it oxymoronic to be say Hindu?
Or simply non christian?
I fail to see how non christian culture is an oxymoron.
@Davesnothere
I didn’t say it’s definitionally oxymoronic. I said it’s etymologically oxymoronic. I’m just talking about root origins. heath - uncultivated land
@skado Honestly, how many believers do you think are even aware of its roots?
10%, or less?
@Davesnothere
Probably a lot less.
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