There’s an old saying that you should never discuss sex, politics or religion in polite company. Thankfully, I never promised to be polite… at least not here. Let’s see if we can knock the cobwebs out of a few craniums, shall we?
Politics
I am a registered and unrepentant Republican. Does that make you squirm? I know it does many of my friends. Sir Winston Churchill once said “Anyone who is not a liberal in his youth has no heart. Anyone who remains so as he matures has no brain!”
The policies of Democratic party have never resonated with me. On the other hand, many of the social policies of the Republican party make my hair bristle. I’m more of a fiscal conservative and a social moderate, with Libertarian leanings. I believe that thinking people do not vote along party lines, and so I remain a Republican with a clear conscience.
But sometimes the liberal voices drive me crazy. Michael Moore is one such voice. Regardless of what you think of his political views, its easy to agree that he is a pompous asshole. He lives for the media frenzy, and does his best to stir it up, even if it means contorting facts to fit his point of view. In spite of my distaste for his style of communication, I believe we need people like Mr. Moore.
Michael Moore’s new film Fahrenheit 9/11 is a bona-fide box office bonanza. The documentary grossed more in the opening weekend than his previous film Bowling for Columbine made in it’s entire run. I’ve yet to see the film (I plan to as time allows), but it’s well known that Moore blasts Bush for everything from the election, family ties to the Bin Laden clan, and of course, the war in Iraq.
Before Moore, I looked at documentaries as scholarly works based on fact. He clearly demolished that objectivity with “Bowling,” taking liberties with facts and showing clips out of context merely to build a case for his political views. He raises good points worthy of thoughtful discussion, but if you accept his views without question, you’ll be duped.
So what have we learned, kids? Question authority, certainly. But also question those that pit themselves against authority. Be a skeptic.
Sex
I was watching William Gibson’s agonizing long No Maps for these Territories last night, and he reiterated a statement you’ve probably heard before: pornography has repeatedly been a catalyst for technological advancement. Why? Because sex sells. It led to VCRs, digital cameras, DVDs, advancements in web security, streaming media and many other technologies now commonly applied to more mainstream pursuits. Some folks even use sex to sell the Good Word (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
A commonly held misconception is that men think about sex once every seven seconds. In reality, who knows? If I thought about it every seven seconds, I’d never be able to complete this blog entry (let alone get any real work done).
We are wired for sex. Designed to procreate; to “…be fruitful and multiply…” So why is sex a taboo subject? I’m not entirely sure. Who cares? I’m in favor of sex. More sex for everyone and there’d be a helluva lot less wars.
Religion
Many people kill and maim in the name of God. Others deny the possibility of of a creator for that very reason.
I believe in God. I’ll be the first to admit that I can’t fully grasp God, nor do I fully comprehend they why’s and how’s of the world. Can the finite comprehend the infinite?
Cyberspace creates the technological possibility of alternate dimensions — virtual reality. Scientists believe that there are as many as ten dimensions of space and time that we do not participate in. These constructs may or not help explain how God moves or acts in time. But they do allow my mortal mind to concede that there’s much more to this universe than meets the eye.
If you choose to put your faith in something else — technology, humanism, or yourself — that’s your business. I’ll be happy to discuss religion and faith with you, but only if you promise not to shoot me where we disagree.
Politics, sex and religion. Why was it we can’t discuss them?
We’re not to discuss them because we are supposed to blindly follow the teaching of our elders and priests, and accept quietly what ever they try to pass along as wisdom.
The greatest threat to tyranny is not truth. It is the _expression_ of truth and the realization that those in power has corrupted how (and if) truth is expressed.
Let me stop now, before I type pages about how the ‘governing body’ of the bought and sold trinity of the media, the government, and mainstream religion in (insert country name here) is still trying to tell us who to vote for, who to marry, and who to pray to, and that we (the people) need to shut up and accept it because we (the people) obviously don’t know what we’re argueing about and need to be told like children.
Personally, I’d gladly have intelligent conversation about politics, sex, and religion. Even if it means that we would have to agree to disagree, intelligent conversation is worth making someone squirm!
We’re not to discuss them because we are supposed to blindly follow the teaching of our elders and priests, and accept quietly what ever they try to pass along as wisdom.
The greatest threat to tyranny is not truth. It is the _expression_ of truth and the realization that those in power has corrupted how (and if) truth is expressed.
Let me stop now, before I type pages about how the ‘governing body’ of the bought and sold trinity of the media, the government, and mainstream religion in (insert country name here) is still trying to tell us who to vote for, who to marry, and who to pray to, and that we (the people) need to shut up and accept it because we (the people) obviously don’t know what we’re argueing about and need to be told like children.
Personally, I’d gladly have intelligent conversation about politics, sex, and religion. Even if it means that we would have to agree to disagree, intelligent conversation is worth making someone squirm!