I've been thinking about the Modern Age (or, perhaps, the Postmodern Age--are we there already?). Despite all of its neurotic and crazy qualities, I think there's a lot to be said for modernity. In fact, I would go so far as to say that "traditional, old-fashioned" ideas about the world are often both dangerous and scary.
We live in a world that bases its understanding of the cosmos, human behavior, and social issues on (often bizarre) evidence and reasoning that sometimes dates back to antiquity. Want to know the right stance on gay marriage? Check the Bible! Need to know what the proper role of women is? Study the Quran! Will I have a good day? Read today's horoscope! After a while, one begins to see that our understanding of many things is not enhanced by tradition, but is, rather, very much messed up by tradition--by source material that is inevitably flawed, misguided, or downright weird in one way or another. (If some Bible passages don't strike you as weird, then I don't know what to say....)
For all of its faults, the modern intellectual world has at least offered a modicum of rationality to our knowledge of things. With the exception of some moral and ethical issues--which to some extent transcend time--I have become increasingly skeptical that "the ancients" have much to offer us in the way of "truth" at this point in history. And who can really blame those old farts? It wasn't their fault--they were operating off of a limited, embryonic data set. The gospels were written decades after Jesus died, and no one could "go back to the video." They didn't have microscopes back then, or carbon dating, or knowledge of DNA. And the planet did not possess an army of physical and social scientists who have explored just about every facet of existence. As "backward" and short-sighted as our contemporary thinking can be, I still think we are light years beyond the many generations that have preceded us. Christopher Hitchens makes a similar point when he writes,
"One must state it plainly. Religion comes from the period of human prehistory where nobody--not even the mighty Democritus who concluded that all matter is made from atoms--had the smallest idea what was going on. . .Today the least educated of my children knows much more about the natural order than any of the founders of religion...." (God is Not Great, p. 64)
So I say, "Three cheers for the modern world! Thank goodness that I'm living in the 21st century, and too bad I won't be around for the 22nd!"
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dealing with idiots
OK, my wife's siblings and their spouses are not idiots. But in some ways they're not real sharp, either. And they are sufficiently dogmatic and ignorant that they can seem like real idiots.
On Friday I had the misfortune of walking into the middle of one of their discussions, which included a number of amazing revelations:
1. The taxpayer revolt/tea party protests have led at least 8 states to consider seceeding from the union. (Breaking news!)
2. The media are biased against conservative causes--they would publicize a gay-pride rally in San Francisco, but not that two "Christians" were (presumably) murdered (by two gay people? it was never clear and I was afraid to ask).
3. The media are similarly squelching the anti-abortion movement in America. More of that liberal media agenda.
4. In kindgergartens now, kids are being told that "mom/mom" and "dad/dad" are perfectly OK ways to form families. And as we know, it's a "fact" (their word, not mine) that God would disapprove of two gay parents, or homosexuality in general.
5. And (oh yes), in case you didn't know, there's not a "gay gene," which means, apparently, that anyone can simply choose to be any way they want to be when it comes to sexuality.
After discussing these matters with the four of them for about 15 minutes, I was experiencing a weird combination of sorrow and anger--enough so that I abruptly said, "I have to go," at which point I headed for the car, backed out of the driveway and drove around for some time, fully intending to have dinner (that's what we were there for) at a local restaurant. But a phone call from The Misses as I was scanning the restaurant menu led to me re-consider and to try to make nice. So I went back, kept my distance for at least 30 minutes, and then ate dinner with them--and along the way a few conciliatory words were uttered all the way around. Things finished on a positive note.
But they really are idiots. And as I told them, it wasn't just that they said these things, but that they represent millions of other people with the same views. It's a real Culture War, I said--and that the opposition is so cock-sure of themselves and so darn crazy scares the beejebers out of me. Be afraid my friends--be very afraid!
On Friday I had the misfortune of walking into the middle of one of their discussions, which included a number of amazing revelations:
1. The taxpayer revolt/tea party protests have led at least 8 states to consider seceeding from the union. (Breaking news!)
2. The media are biased against conservative causes--they would publicize a gay-pride rally in San Francisco, but not that two "Christians" were (presumably) murdered (by two gay people? it was never clear and I was afraid to ask).
3. The media are similarly squelching the anti-abortion movement in America. More of that liberal media agenda.
4. In kindgergartens now, kids are being told that "mom/mom" and "dad/dad" are perfectly OK ways to form families. And as we know, it's a "fact" (their word, not mine) that God would disapprove of two gay parents, or homosexuality in general.
5. And (oh yes), in case you didn't know, there's not a "gay gene," which means, apparently, that anyone can simply choose to be any way they want to be when it comes to sexuality.
After discussing these matters with the four of them for about 15 minutes, I was experiencing a weird combination of sorrow and anger--enough so that I abruptly said, "I have to go," at which point I headed for the car, backed out of the driveway and drove around for some time, fully intending to have dinner (that's what we were there for) at a local restaurant. But a phone call from The Misses as I was scanning the restaurant menu led to me re-consider and to try to make nice. So I went back, kept my distance for at least 30 minutes, and then ate dinner with them--and along the way a few conciliatory words were uttered all the way around. Things finished on a positive note.
But they really are idiots. And as I told them, it wasn't just that they said these things, but that they represent millions of other people with the same views. It's a real Culture War, I said--and that the opposition is so cock-sure of themselves and so darn crazy scares the beejebers out of me. Be afraid my friends--be very afraid!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Max is gone
On Tuesday of this week, our 20-year-old cat, Max, died as I was sitting right next to him. For at least a year and a half, he had had a growth of some sort (tumor or cyst--they don't know) in his abdomen--a growth that had gotten so large that it was pressing against other organs and making his life much more of a challenge. We had reluctantly made an appointment to have him euthansized at 4:30, but Max beat us to the punch by 60 minutes. And in a way, we were happy that he was able to pass on at home, lying on his favorite spot on his favorite couch.
I thought I would feel a bit more liberated after he died. Max could be a real pain the butt, yammering for food (loudly and plaintively!) first thing in the morning, missing his litter box sometimes when he peed, and leaving cat hair just about everywhere. But I am surprised at my sense of loss, and am constantly amazed by the empty spot on the couch. At 20, he was, after all, older than our daughter; he was a bona fide member of the family. Several days later, I still habitually look at that couch as I round the corner, thinking I will see him there and wanting to know if there's anything he needs.
Ironically, I think that pets--animals--help make us more human. They remind us about things like lack of judgment, unwavering acceptance and trust, and unconditional love. In a world with some cold pricklies, Max was always a warm fuzzy--he sought us out and wanted to be with us no matter what.
A significant measure of our humanity involves how we treat animals. Although Max had a way of demanding our attention, he also had a way of getting into our hearts. I miss you, big guy--rest in peace.
I thought I would feel a bit more liberated after he died. Max could be a real pain the butt, yammering for food (loudly and plaintively!) first thing in the morning, missing his litter box sometimes when he peed, and leaving cat hair just about everywhere. But I am surprised at my sense of loss, and am constantly amazed by the empty spot on the couch. At 20, he was, after all, older than our daughter; he was a bona fide member of the family. Several days later, I still habitually look at that couch as I round the corner, thinking I will see him there and wanting to know if there's anything he needs.
Ironically, I think that pets--animals--help make us more human. They remind us about things like lack of judgment, unwavering acceptance and trust, and unconditional love. In a world with some cold pricklies, Max was always a warm fuzzy--he sought us out and wanted to be with us no matter what.
A significant measure of our humanity involves how we treat animals. Although Max had a way of demanding our attention, he also had a way of getting into our hearts. I miss you, big guy--rest in peace.
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