I wrote an article yesterday in response to a comment on Slate Star Codex. They are generally a-religious, smart and good fellas with an interest in being rational and meaningful at the same time.
Their general irreligion and social sphere keep them from too much genuine consideration of an animated life moving the world in a eutopic direction through the spread of enthusiasm and love on the human level (rather than through this or that “nudge” imposed from On High by the culture’s reigning nudges).
Deiseach is smart and good but openly and combatively interested in and supportive of many aspects of religion.
She doesn't mince words so while I addressed a few of her thoughts and comments within the SSC thread that she posted them this response required a complete article.
Responding to Dei
Following the example of our teacher Moshe Ben Maimon, I penned an introductory article unambiguously describing the requisite frame of mind for lurking or participating here with any hope of profit. If you haven't already read it, please read it before reading forwards. You’ll be happy you did.
Another lengthy response was within the comment section of the substack article that presented the film itself. It's worth elevating out of the comment section to its own page so here is the kind and intelligent comment followed by my general thinking on the matter.
Brother Yedidya:
Oh. My. I am decidedly and emphatically NOT offended, but am intrigued and drawn by the heart and humble attitude with which you share, inform, question, and engage for those WITH "ears to hear & eyes to see". I love the clear knowledge base from which you draw from, and am in agreement with the great majority of your statements (in particular the "mess" which IS [manmade] religion) and positions...with ONE notable exception: "Jesus did not succeed as the messiah".
Au contraire! I will (and humbly do) contend that Yahshua absolutely DID succeed, and did so in the most amazing and categorically Jewish way imaginable – in accordance with (and therefore fulfillment of) dozens of prophecies of the Torah & prophets written hundreds and thousands of years earlier (though that is NOT "where I'm going"). I am able and ready with conclusive evidence – NOT regarded in ‘religious circles’ of any “faith” – but nonetheless undeniable to the actual TRUTH seeker. Isn’t “that” whom you were calling out to in this video? (It's all hiding - somewhat - in plain sight, actually.)
I was struck (on multiple levels) when you commented about ‘not getting sidetracked’ by (mentioning things about) what occurred in Babylon. IMO, there are a plethora of keys to ‘understanding’ in carefully examining EXACTLY WHAT DID (go into AND) ‘come out' of Babylon.
YIY,
ƩEZI, זְבֻלוּן מַטָּה