On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:12:13 +0000, Larry wrote:

Herodotus wrote in
:

Ever noticed how some people, especially
novices start to move their lips in prayer when in what they think is
a threatening situation on a boat?



Yes. I think the reaction is inbred as we are washed over in religious
education from birth, even in families with no religion, by media, on the
street, in the schools, in contact with other humans. Brainwashed from
Birth is a powerful imprint.

My parrots think I'm God. I've been brainwashing them with it for over 20
years....(c;

EVERYONE has just GOT to be on a GUILT TRIP! This is ALL YOUR FAULT AND
YOU NEED TO BE PUNISHED!!

Come on Larry. Not all religions are like that. Neither Zen nor
Islamic Sufism is based on reward in the afterlife.

Also, ever heard of Baccanalia? It was quite big in the later days of
the Roman Empire. Also what about the ancient Babylonians? Before she
could get married, every girl had to sit in the temple precinct and
take any comer who threw money in her lap. Hindu temples had their
sacred prostitutes also. No guilt trip there. I would think it quite
the opposite. Can you imagine the number of people who would be
regular church goers in the US if this form of worship to the God was
instituted in say, the Episcopalean church. They'd have to add
cubicles like confession boxes through. I'll bet you would soon get
religion then.

Besides, as Huxley wrote: "A firm conviction of the material reality
of Hell never prevented medieval Christians from doing what their
ambition, lust or covetousness suggested."

Just a thought.

Peter (Sybarite)