John: I have read your responses with care. You question why society, ['whatever that is'] values you, or is it your 'quality of life' which 'society' values. These are basic religious/ philosophical questions which, if we are honest with ourselves and each other, bring up our 'worldview'. And if I read your Reponses correctly, you identify your religion as pantheism. That is, worship of many gods, including I suppose yourself, your environment or anything you choose. Your family, your kayak, your dog perhaps. [By that very action of course, you are putting a 'value' on your life] That's fine; you are as free to practice your religion in your country as I am in mine. This is under threat, but that's another topic. Your rhetorical question is " Am I the final arbiter of everything that I am and have been, and will be, up to and including my death?" Christians would say no. We would affirm that we are part of created order; that there is a plan, purpose, pattern to our lives. Life and death are not random meaningless events. They have value, [including our death] and we don't have final authority on this. It was gifted to us. We would argue for example that you were not the arbiter at your birth, which immediately raises issues of relationship. We don't put 'I' at the centre of the universe. We put someone else there, who is famous for his statement ' I AM'. All this predicates on a relationship with a Creator who has kept His side of the bargain and has carefully shown you and me how to live [ and die ]. [ For a carefully argued, ruthlessly logical thesis on this, read Paul's letter to the Romans. If you have not, I can recommend it as a good Christmas read. Let me know what you think of his argument. ] You ask what 'society' is. No more or less than you and I. The key word is 'relationship'. Even secular humanists call it the 'human family'. I guess they admit by this that we are at least connected to each other by our 'human-ness'. That relationship thing again. To put it another way; we [ we= society] don't see you as a 'modified monkey'. We see you as a uniquely valuable human creation worth risking lives to rescue. It's tough being in a family. Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong, Australia. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Its winter here in North America. And with winter sometimes comes the winter Paddlewise attitude. Let the games begin....I suggest nets and tridents like the gladiators of old. Its seems nautical enough. Or perhaps those really cool sticks Kirk and Spock used on Vulcan to do battle. They look vaguely paddle like. Rick if the Tybee Island thing happens at the end of March maybe I can make it. It will be tough but it would be interesting. Perhaps I could push you over in the name of safety. Jim et al *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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