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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Gene GeRue wrote:

> I muse that I tread too, um, what's the antonym of softly? Firmly, I 
> guess. I have strong beliefs based on a lot of living and paying 
> attention and thinking. Many members of this class have the same.

No problem, Gene.  I have a lot of respect for you(as well as others
with whom I often disagree), and I was bothered by the fact that our
previous discussion took a sour turn and you became upset to the point
of filtering.  I just don't want that to happen again.
> This is a good time to say something about belief, whose sister is 
> truth. We all have our unique beliefs. We hold to them because they 
> are necessary for us to go forward. They are based on all that we 
> have known and done.

I would agree with you wholeheartedly if you added the phrase, "among
other things" to the last sentence.  I do believe that most of our
beliefs are based on previous experience, but I also believe that one
can have a philosophy (or religion as the case may be) not based on any
actual (prove-able, fact-based) experience.


One of the few differences Tvo and I had was
> about war.
 It took me time to understand that his belief about the
> need for violence in Iraq was founded on his participation in same 
> during WWII. For one to perform, one must believe. He performed, he 
> believed, and to now change belief might well have caused pain over 
> past performance.

I think you may be oversimplifying the man, personally.

> One of my beliefs is that we humans have far greater power than we 
> now think we have. Understanding our awesome human selves will take 
> far longer than our present lifetimes. Knowledge once held to be fact
> is now discredited. It is uplifting and upsetting at once. It is now
> a daily challenge to balance all we have come to know with the 
> plethora of new information.


Personally, I absolutely agree with every word, and every concept there,
especially the plurality of lifetimes, which by the way, is a perfect
example of a belief not supported by experience.  It is very difficult
to prove reincarnation beyond a shadow of a doubt; if it were easy, it
wouldn't be controversial. :)

> So back to genetics. I hold to my belief because it sustains me. I 
> believe that my belief in that and many other things can cause me to 
> overcome ordinary obstacles to a long and productive life.
>
> So hold to your beliefs. As long as you profit thereby.

Excellent benediction, Gene. :)

Bev


--
Bevanron of EarthNSky Farm   Sleep well tonight, for somewhere in the
ocean's depths, MY son is protecting YOUR freedom.