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From: javilk@netcom.com (Javilk)
Subject: Re: The function of religion is not to help you understand reality...
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Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1994 12:51:22 GMT
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   Funny, I thought I posted this article a few days ago...  Must be 
another problem with something...

   You imply that we are all guilty of everything that happened to
mankind. This counters most of the Western philosophy that I studied in
college. If we are responsible for everything that happened, then everyone
is responsible for my actions as well.  If so, then my inaction,
difficulties, etc. in life are the result of everyone around me, rather
than me.  So what's the point of trying? 

   Isn't that what those guys with assault weapons say before blowing away
anyone they see??? 
   Hitler blamed the Jews and killed them.
   Stalin blamed the greedy bourgeois peasants and starved them
   Mao blamed the bourgeois, and others, incarcerating and killing them.
   Not having been there for Stalin's, Mao's, Hitler's or any of those
other massacres, I refuse to accept responsibility for them.
 
   Given the socialistic nature of your convictions and rethoric, I do not
see the point of arguing with you further. I am unlikely to change the
depth of conviction which generates that point of view; nor given my
experiences in this life and previous lives, are you ever likely to change
mine.  Let us not ruin each other's digestion and sour each other's days
over this topic. 

   For the benefit of those with more open minds, let me state that I have
lead several, rather successful professional lives. I am responsible for
my self, not for the actions of others, past or present. 
   If you choose to hand over responsibility for your own actions to
others, you will not succeed, will not go very far in life.  It is people
who did not appreciate that others may succeed by their own efforts, who
burnt me and many others at the stake! 

    The belief of group responsibility goes in hand with censorship, high
taxation, and massive government programs which prevent entrepreneurs --
the people who gave us the horse collar, sod-buster plow, and the
automobile, etc. etc. -- from inventing, making and selling us The Next
Best Thing! Without "greedy" entrepreneurs, the arrowheads made in south
central Neolithic Europe would never have become a widespread medium of
exchange from the tip of Spain to the heights of the Ural Mountains;
Nevermind the vast array of goodies these evil greedy bastards have
inspired, created, and delivered to us today!  Why, without them, we would
be living in... what, caves?  Or lacking caves, as scarce commodity these
days, whatever we could build ourselves using only what primitive tools we
can build ourselves. 

    The function of government is, inevitably to ration scarcity. 
       (And keep people from beating each other up and robbing them.)
    The function of enterprise, is to create plenty.

   I choose to be responsible for myself, and to help, for a reasonable
negotiated fee, others who would strive to create plenty. 

   Pleasant Dreams, . for if you do not take responsibility for your own
life, that is all the pleasure you will gain.
-- 
