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This read was recently passed along to me, and I posted it in the P&OC forum, because it has to do with the problem of confirmation bias and politics in America today. I wish all Americans would read it. Occurs to me that it's an appropriate read to consider in this forum as well, because I think the same sort of wrong assumptions and/or "misunderstandings" are typical among people who follow different religions or are non-religious, most certainly including atheists. It would be interesting to see a survey or research that would highlight what wrong impressions people tend to have about people who don't share their religious beliefs as well.
"Paging through the latest survey research from More in Common, I came upon a phrase that deserves to be carved in stone: “conflict entrepreneurs.” You know them. They are the arsonists who incessantly inflame every disagreement in order to boost their own “brands.” They rile us up and deceive us about the danger of “the other side.” "
It's fine. Many of us, if not all of us, have grown up in cultures with strong religious presence. It is thus necessary to have some understanding. Especially when religion is seeping into politics. In the US, my understanding of the Bible has made me want to slap politicians when they speak of "Biblical values", but are just cherry picking. "Biblical values" and similar phrases I now understand as dogwhistles.
For me, I am also a music history and history nerd. The church was the place for the vast majority of written down early music, for example. The early church rejected instruments in services and is the reason we don't have a lot of written down instrumental music in the middle ages and that is frustrating. Another reason to shake my fist at the church.
I have delved into Christian history and have found it fascinating. I recently listened to a number of audiobooks on early Christianity and the texts that were rejected from the canon. That's not particularly relevant to today I suppose, but what I found most interesting was the contextualization of Jesus as a potential (non-supernatural) historical figure and an explanation of his strange beliefs. Also, the story of Thecla, which reflected upon women in early Christianity, and even an argument that Paul's writings on women being silent in church looks like it may have been forged/added in. To me, that's a crucial detail, because I know some Christians who do believe this misogynistic nonsense and it makes me sad. I don't know how recent that research is, though.
I have delved into Christian history and have found it fascinating. I recently listened to a number of audiobooks on early Christianity and the texts that were rejected from the canon. That's not particularly relevant to today I suppose, but what I found most interesting was the contextualization of Jesus as a potential (non-supernatural) historical figure and an explanation of his strange beliefs. Also, the story of Thecla, which reflected upon women in early Christianity, and even an argument that Paul's writings on women being silent in church looks like it may have been forged/added in. To me, that's a crucial detail, because I know some Christians who do believe this misogynistic nonsense and it makes me sad. I don't know how recent that research is, though.
Sounds like you may be reading the same Bart Ehrman book I am. Reminds me to finish it up ... fascinating stuff.
It's fine. Many of us, if not all of us, have grown up in cultures with strong religious presence. It is thus necessary to have some understanding. Especially when religion is seeping into politics. In the US, my understanding of the Bible has made me want to slap politicians when they speak of "Biblical values", but are just cherry picking. "Biblical values" and similar phrases I now understand as dogwhistles.
For me, I am also a music history and history nerd. The church was the place for the vast majority of written down early music, for example. The early church rejected instruments in services and is the reason we don't have a lot of written down instrumental music in the middle ages and that is frustrating. Another reason to shake my fist at the church.
I have delved into Christian history and have found it fascinating. I recently listened to a number of audiobooks on early Christianity and the texts that were rejected from the canon. That's not particularly relevant to today I suppose, but what I found most interesting was the contextualization of Jesus as a potential (non-supernatural) historical figure and an explanation of his strange beliefs. Also, the story of Thecla, which reflected upon women in early Christianity, and even an argument that Paul's writings on women being silent in church looks like it may have been forged/added in. To me, that's a crucial detail, because I know some Christians who do believe this misogynistic nonsense and it makes me sad. I don't know how recent that research is, though.
This read was recently passed along to me, and I posted it in the P&OC forum, because it has to do with the problem of confirmation bias and politics in America today. I wish all Americans would read it. Occurs to me that it's an appropriate read to consider in this forum as well, because I think the same sort of wrong assumptions and/or "misunderstandings" are typical among people who follow different religions or are non-religious, most certainly including atheists. It would be interesting to see a survey or research that would highlight what wrong impressions people tend to have about people who don't share their religious beliefs as well.
"Paging through the latest survey research from More in Common, I came upon a phrase that deserves to be carved in stone: “conflict entrepreneurs.” You know them. They are the arsonists who incessantly inflame every disagreement in order to boost their own “brands.” They rile us up and deceive us about the danger of “the other side.” "
It's fine. Many of us, if not all of us, have grown up in cultures with strong religious presence. It is thus necessary to have some understanding. Especially when religion is seeping into politics. In the US, my understanding of the Bible has made me want to slap politicians when they speak of "Biblical values", but are just cherry picking. "Biblical values" and similar phrases I now understand as dogwhistles.
For me, I am also a music history and history nerd. The church was the place for the vast majority of written down early music, for example. The early church rejected instruments in services and is the reason we don't have a lot of written down instrumental music in the middle ages and that is frustrating. Another reason to shake my fist at the church.
I have delved into Christian history and have found it fascinating. I recently listened to a number of audiobooks on early Christianity and the texts that were rejected from the canon. That's not particularly relevant to today I suppose, but what I found most interesting was the contextualization of Jesus as a potential (non-supernatural) historical figure and an explanation of his strange beliefs. Also, the story of Thecla, which reflected upon women in early Christianity, and even an argument that Paul's writings on women being silent in church looks like it may have been forged/added in. To me, that's a crucial detail, because I know some Christians who do believe this misogynistic nonsense and it makes me sad. I don't know how recent that research is, though.
Good for you, and of course Christianity is not the only interesting religion to consider along these lines...
I'll never forget about how Cat Stevens decided to stop making music as a result of him becoming a devout Muslim. No doubt religion has had quite the influence on many a thing including politics, music and our general way of life as it has evolved to the point it has today. Perhaps in a nutshell why I always point out the right and/or wrong about religion is relevant to everyone, whether are religious or atheist or whatever in between.
Oh thanks! Doesn't work for me anymore either. Try this one, and if this doesn't work, look up her article wherever it does work for you. A read well worth reading far as I'm concerned. About how we come to view the opinions of others, whether it be about politics or religion...
Oh thanks! Doesn't work for me anymore either. Try this one, and if this doesn't work, look up her article wherever it does work for you. A read well worth reading far as I'm concerned. About how we come to view the opinions of others, whether it be about politics or religion...Mona Charen: Do Americans even know how to agree?
this article is a political article, and it is purely about politics.
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