What's your opinion?

[Wisdom]

I would like to hear your definition of idolatry.

"We perceive, on reflection, that to be real, or even barely to exist, must be to fall within sentience ... . Find any piece of existence, take up anything that any one could possibly call a fact, or could in any sense assert to have being, and then judge if it does not consist in sentient experience. Try to discover any sense in which you can still continue to speak of it, when all perception and feeling have been removed; or point out any fragment of its matter, any aspect of its being, which is not derived from and is not still relative to this source. When the experiment is made strictly, I can myself conceive of nothing else than the experienced.
– F.H. Bradley, 'Appearance and Reality', Chapter 14"

When we immerse ourselves into what idealistic terms that are dictated to us
what is actually fabricated?....we assume that what we idealize is reality.... but is not truly real....those things that we hold as FACTS and TRUTH are abstract concepts created by the INTENSE fear we have of our own existence....and our own mortality....because if we admit to one ....maybe the other is contingent....

[Soundbear]

How about in 25 words or less.

[Wisdom]

How about in 25 words or less.

The less specific the greater chance on misinterpretation.......

[NewCasa]

The less specific the greater chance on misinterpretation.......

SB just wants you to be more like him.

[Bluesky]

So let me summarize, tell me if I have interpreted bradley correctly. (And I am assuming this would be your definition of idolatry)

Anything that we value that is not real (and Bradley attempts to define what is real and what is not by involving our sentience.. or is he implying that inanimate objects are sentient? or is he saying that reality is limited to that which I can be sentient of?) is idolatry.

Is that fair?

[Wisdom]

So let me summarize, tell me if I have interpreted bradley correctly. (And I am assuming this would be your definition of idolatry)

Anything that we value that is not real (and Bradley attempts to define what is real and what is not by involving our sentience.. or is he implying that inanimate objects are sentient? or is he saying that reality is limited to that which I can be sentient of?) is idolatry.

Is that fair?

I tried to interpret his understanding of idolatry though "idealistic" terms....
What we see as "things" to be idealized and "idolized" may not really exist as sentient or animate....

going back to what I believe......that because we are a part of everything our egos lead us to believe that there is less out there than there may actually be.....

[Bluesky]

Our egos lead us to all kinds of strange notions. That I will agree with.
Typically, we will not be led by our egos to be humbled. So perhaps recognizing the bent of our egos, and moving in the opposite direction is a good thing.

[Wisdom]

Our egos lead us to all kinds of strange notions. That I will agree with.
Typically, we will not be led by our egos to be humbled. So perhaps recognizing the bent of our egos, and moving in the opposite direction is a good thing.

I think that our perceptions of selves (ego) is important though is wading through understanding and wisdom...(through self examination and interaction)

[Bluesky]

Yes, I think knowing oneself is along the path to wisdom.

[Wisdom]

Yes, I think knowing oneself is along the path to wisdom.

"You have noticed that everything an Indian does in a circle,
and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles,
and everything and everything tries to be round.

In the old days all our power came to us from the sacred hoop
of the nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken the people
flourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop,
and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace
and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave rain and the north
with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This
knowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion.

Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle.
The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball
and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.
Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.
The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon
does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great
circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were.

The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is
in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round like the
nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop,
a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children."

Black Elk, Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux 1863-1950

Over a hundred years ago Black Elk had a vision of the time when Indian people would heal from the devastating effects
of European migration. In his vision the Sacred Hoop which had been broken, would be mended in seven generations.
The children born into this decade will be the seventh generation.

[dancingqueen]

Maybe some do. I personally know some who don't.

Interestingly enough, I feel sorry for YOUR faith in humanity. I can quickly think of a situation, where faith in a fellow human being could kill you.

And I know some crack heads that would vote for the greater good and some who don't.
but you probably refuse to accept that.
Interestingly, I can mention many circumstances that not having faith in your fellow man can kill you as well.
Are we at a draw? or is there perhaps more to putting faith in something other than blind faith?

[Soundbear]

And I know some crack heads that would vote for the greater good and some who don't.
but you probably refuse to accept that.
Interestingly, I can mention many circumstances that not having faith in your fellow man can kill you as well.
Are we at a draw? or is there perhaps more to putting faith in something other than blind faith?

The weakness of democracy is putting a vote in the hands of those who care only for themselves. Agree??

[Wisdom]

The weakness of democracy is putting a vote in the hands of those who care only for themselves. Agree??

I think the weakness of democracy is putting candidates in the running who care only for themselves.

Lots of people would check the "anything but them" box on the ballot.....

[NewCasa]

we assume that what we idealize is reality.... but is not truly real....those things that we hold as FACTS and TRUTH are abstract concepts created by the INTENSE fear we have of our own existence....and our own mortality....because if we admit to one ....maybe the other is contingent....

I'm sure glad you're saying 'we' through this. Makes me feel a bit less like you're speaking from a high horse

[dancingqueen]

The weakness of democracy is putting a vote in the hands of those who care only for themselves. Agree??

I think there are many weaknesses to Democracy. That which you mention is one of them, as well as the one wisdom responded to you with, in addition to others.

[Bluesky]

I think Democracy is the best route to take. Monarchism can be rough. Ask Bloody Mary's subjects. Or Henry VIII's first few wives.

[dancingqueen]

I think Democracy is the best route to take. Monarchism can be rough. Ask Bloody Mary's subjects. Or Henry VIII's first few wives.

I think everything that has been tried does not work for one reason or another, that's why we keep trying to improve what we have, thus changing it to something else.

[Bluesky]

Under a Monarchy, you have no power to effect change, unless it is a violent overthrow.
in democracy, there is a better chance at change.

[dancingqueen]

better, yes... perfect? No.

[Bluesky]

Of course not.