tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post9066125641729613965..comments2024-01-24T11:41:28.022+00:00Comments on A Cuban In London: Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and MusicA Cuban In Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-89122368322797085682011-01-27T20:31:05.416+00:002011-01-27T20:31:05.416+00:00Many thanks for your thoughtful comments. And than...Many thanks for your thoughtful comments. And thanks, too, to the bloggers who contacted me by e-mail to answer my questions. I'm already looking forward to this Sunday's post, which rhymes perfectly with "Sunday's roast" :-).<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-21143897266821671062011-01-26T22:33:08.024+00:002011-01-26T22:33:08.024+00:00A good post as always. I am unsure about religion ...A good post as always. I am unsure about religion in many ways. i am not a believer and have no intention of being one. I cannot imagine anything remotely like a god and find it quite baffling that people do. But I work on the no harm principle, as long as no-one uses religion or god to destroy someone else, I'm content. Leave that to proper things, like oil and power and land...Madame DeFargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08172239340844485940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-3986266908585816032011-01-26T21:42:25.642+00:002011-01-26T21:42:25.642+00:00Well said, Cuban!
I learn as much from comments ...Well said, Cuban! <br /><br />I learn as much from comments on blogs (both on mine and others) as from the articles I read and the research I do to put each post together. So, this is one debate I'm definitely tuning into!Hema Penmetsahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08448481721288158816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-9860476041401019332011-01-26T18:12:18.836+00:002011-01-26T18:12:18.836+00:00I've come to a place in my life where I have s...I've come to a place in my life where I have stashed my religion on the shelf. This is not to say I'm not spiritual, nor does it say I don't look to God has my higher power. Thought provoking post, as always, Mr. Cuban.Tess Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04889725786678984293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-47502239154159743742011-01-26T18:03:11.396+00:002011-01-26T18:03:11.396+00:00Wow! Only an English journalist (and a Cuban in Lo...Wow! Only an English journalist (and a Cuban in London blogger!) would dare to question the good of God. In the US, that would never make it to print in a mainstream newspaper. An appropriate question, nonetheless, to ask on a Sunday.<br /><br />It was interesting to see the stats on religion. I’m not surprised to see Christians first, Muslims second and Jews last but didn’t have a sense of the other figures. I agree that we should still study religion because it’s such a part of our world now and in the past.<br /><br />I like how you balanced religious extremism with progressivism. They are two sides of the same coin. I don’t believe that personal faith has caused problems, but too often organized religion has led to bloodshed, as others have said above. However, churches and temples feed the poor, create community and encourage charity. <br /><br />I’m half Jewish and half Christian married to an Anglican. We have raised our children with a bit of both. It’s important cultural heritage. Looking forward to reading more on your debate, although as policy I dodge participating in religious debates myself. <br /><br />Appropriate song too – I love that one from REM as does the audience clearly. It was fun to hear it again and really listen to the lyrics. You are so good at finding just the right music to accompany your posts. What kind of instrument is that tiny guitar? I always wondered what made that lovely sound in the track.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-212592485152743902011-01-26T17:28:08.543+00:002011-01-26T17:28:08.543+00:00I'm not so much for organized religion, but I ...I'm not so much for organized religion, but I do consider myself spiritual. Having said that, I am grateful for my Lutheran/Catholic upbringing. The Bible contains many tried and true stories that teach important lessons.Dutchbabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00844296297519447526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-60953774228834336382011-01-26T16:51:47.392+00:002011-01-26T16:51:47.392+00:00Wow, a deep one today. I have to agree with Maxine...Wow, a deep one today. I have to agree with Maxine about so much ill will in the name of religion. I personally look internally for my rights and wrongs and try to be true to myself without outside influences.tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-36247706420350070522011-01-26T01:28:33.266+00:002011-01-26T01:28:33.266+00:00Well, my goodness, you are a brave person to wade ...Well, my goodness, you are a brave person to wade into this topic. It's risky. I like that. For this topic, for me, I like what Madeleine L'Engle says, "I do not think that I will ever reach a stage when I will say, "This is what I believe. Finished." What I believe is alive ... and open to growth."<br /><br />However, I think I will email you and see what these three questions are. I am always up to a challenge. ;-)Jodi MacArthurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13373591664178281529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-14312184106897156122011-01-26T00:53:51.522+00:002011-01-26T00:53:51.522+00:00I vote for your title,"Is the use of religion...I vote for your title,"Is the use of religion by human beings a force for good"?<br /> I can only quote Monty Python at this point,"Well, I certainly didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition!"Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985979258848310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-11809311761775070682011-01-25T17:50:39.423+00:002011-01-25T17:50:39.423+00:00Thanks for your comments.
Melissa, I left the que...Thanks for your comments.<br /><br />Melissa, I left the questions on your blog. Sorry about the slip.<br /><br />Maria, muy valiosas tus palabras.<br /><br />Aishah, I don't think the words you included in your comment have a negative connotation per se. It's what humans make of them that makes the difference in the end. In terms of democracy, economy and freedom, I don't think, either, that they're bywords for annihilation, but again, it's what us, humans, use them for. Was it right to fight against Hitler? Yes, 100%. Was it right to invade Iraq? No, in my opinion.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-34929059786792656602011-01-25T16:44:08.188+00:002011-01-25T16:44:08.188+00:00I have always wondered why good words like religio...I have always wondered why good words like religion, fundamentalist, God have bad connotations to them. Maybe it is time we debate on words like democracy, freedom, economy; since we have killed and gone to war in their names.Aishahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00064149242908143273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-15272048062100070382011-01-24T22:30:40.847+00:002011-01-24T22:30:40.847+00:00Sorry, typo.
I agree with you that the title of t...Sorry, typo.<br /><br />I agree with you that the title of the debate seems simplistic. It's almost a lazy assumption of what 'religion' means to people. And what about people of faith who don't call what they practice 'religion'?<br /><br />I'm going to sit out the debate here (it's has been a longstanding decision of mine to not get into debates of 'religion' vs science etc etc) but I'll be reading and keeping tabs on the whole thing. I bet it's going to be really interesting.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-32100950045741545492011-01-24T22:28:54.313+00:002011-01-24T22:28:54.313+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-87149908895274035272011-01-24T22:26:54.265+00:002011-01-24T22:26:54.265+00:00I think this is an interesting topic, but probably...I think this is an interesting topic, but probably comes down to an argument about experienced.<br />Though I was raised an agnostic because my father preferred not to ague with anyone about what he considered the absurdity of the notion of a god, and he thought any religion co-opted and oppressed the believers...I think religion is fairly organic to the condition of humankind...that life is dangerous, that humans need comfort, that the notion of an all-seeing being is useful. On the other hand, I've seen how nicely people who believe deeply use their experiences as important lessons, seemingly taking the time to learn from them...<br /> Though I'm an agnostic and forego the comfort I might have through a religion, I have respect for people I've met who are believers who use their faith as a reason for generous acts. I try my best to manage some generous acts, but I image (and this may not be true) that I'm not quite as steady as they are...anyway, we all haul along in this confusing life, trying to make the best of this.<br /> None of this is to condone repressive religions, repression of women, of gay folks, but progress in those areas is slow...and I count myself lucky to have been born in this region, in this time, or I would have been long dead of childbirth or illness...<br /> I would have liked to join the debate, but I can't reach you by e-mail. You'd have to contact me through my website...<br /> damn, that article was long and I must confess that I got annoyed in some parts and skimmed...so here's to confessionsmelissashookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02398008713376655570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-56492912639957759642011-01-24T06:57:53.290+00:002011-01-24T06:57:53.290+00:00I look forward to hearing what your readers have t...I look forward to hearing what your readers have to say on this subject, Cuban. Thank you for the link to Victoria Coren -- I look forward to reading her!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-36529005499731367002011-01-23T22:18:08.252+00:002011-01-23T22:18:08.252+00:00Seems to me that if the Buddhist numbers were on t...Seems to me that if the Buddhist numbers were on the top of the scale, the world would be much better off. If I had to choose a religion, that would be the one. <br /><br />I'll be interested to read the debate, Cuban, but won't be applying to participate this time. Just for lack of time rather than an avoidance issues! <br /><br />I'm inclined to agree with a remark I read a while back when the topic of religion was on the table elsewhere - that some people have a God gene and some just don't. There's no other way I can account for why rational, intelligent people believe in a supreme being and all that goes along with that. <br />It's pretty simplistic, but it helps me to be tolerant.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10892637441668897411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-45840740515011908592011-01-23T21:00:38.763+00:002011-01-23T21:00:38.763+00:00This is a timely debate, indeed. I like the way yo...This is a timely debate, indeed. I like the way you framed it, and invited people who'd want to spend some time on this topic. My husband spends hours in chat rooms, debating this and other issues. As a scientist, he takes a very hard line on organized religion. I'm not that brave to get involved in a full-fledged debate because unlike him, I was raised in a Catholic country where religion was taught in school, where everyone had a nun or a priest in their family, and where morning mass and church bells punctuated the day.Rosaria Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133147851332084180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-11126788893220769172011-01-23T19:43:12.950+00:002011-01-23T19:43:12.950+00:00Many thanks for your feedback. I've yet to che...Many thanks for your feedback. I've yet to check my e-mail, so I hope to find some of the posters amongst the would-be participants in the debate.<br /><br />It's funny how some of you mentioned getting rid of religion, but not of God. It's interesting because that probably matches my experience of being acquainted with people who hold religious beliefs. To them, God is a personal and private affair. Paradoxically, they all belong to one of the three Abrahamic faiths, which means that they're part of the same organised religion on which we blame some of the ills visited on society today.<br /><br />Off to check my e-mail. Already looking forward to this debate! :-)<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-58407226428301991112011-01-23T18:41:47.297+00:002011-01-23T18:41:47.297+00:00You are indeed a brave man! Religion has been a fo...You are indeed a brave man! Religion has been a force for both good and evil in the world - good when it practices compassion and good works, bad when it's bigoted, practices hatred, violence, oppression against other men and women. I think that religion came from our need to understand and organize the chaos of existence. Science now does that for some but it can leave out the gasp of delight, the hand of gentleness, rules of ethical behavior and right living. The world would be better if the followers of many religions would actually follow their founder's principles; Christianity is a main example of that. Other religions didn't have such a compassionate founder and the worlds that they have created are often harsh toward many, especially women. But I suspect that the debate will last as long as human kind for there is a part of us that is always longing for the stars, to understand the deepest reaches in the human heart or the darkest aspects of human behavior.Nancy Ewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116290968007398337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-86109055401804591692011-01-23T18:27:50.482+00:002011-01-23T18:27:50.482+00:00Well this promises to be a deep one. You explained...Well this promises to be a deep one. You explained your points very well and I think this topic definitely needs to be discussed here. Personally, I've never had that much interest in organized religion and all of its petty requirements, (especially since I was a questioning child raised as catholic) I think God exists regardless of the religion you follow and it's faith in God, not religion, that makes us happy.Fly Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18191335990973494972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-18539093984525382832011-01-23T15:44:42.609+00:002011-01-23T15:44:42.609+00:00Congratulations on a well-written post.You are a b...Congratulations on a well-written post.You are a brave person indeed to wade into this alligator-infested swamp. :) I am usually one of the ones wading in there and have more than a few nicks to show for it. Now, on to read the link you provided.Judith Mercadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739476600999112092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-479213644168814642011-01-23T14:29:53.112+00:002011-01-23T14:29:53.112+00:00Agree with Maxine... happier without religion, but...Agree with Maxine... happier without religion, but not necessarily without God.<br /><br />Buen domingo Cubano!Susanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07082863914748678607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-61749773416051923652011-01-23T10:18:35.960+00:002011-01-23T10:18:35.960+00:00Perhaps the question should be: 'would we be h...Perhaps the question should be: 'would we be happier without religion'...religion and god, to me, are no neccesarily tied. So much ill occurs in the name of religion...the jews vs the gentiles, the protestents vs the catholics etc...Maxine Beneba Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182307325679199430noreply@blogger.com