tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post779514016530855510..comments2023-05-06T05:36:32.650-06:00Comments on Martial Arts - self actualization & expression of truth through functional combative fitness: Is Rich an atheist? Why did he wear the cross?ProtectRBSDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03683669318143457828noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-68575654036053589032011-01-16T20:22:06.010-07:002011-01-16T20:22:06.010-07:00Indeed ! There's a French expression: "Où...Indeed ! There's a French expression: "Où il y a de l'homme, il y a de l'hommerie !" - I'm not quite sure how to translate this one. (You might be better than me to do it...) But it reflects exactly what you're saying...<br />Yeah ! Much to ponder...<br />Thanks for your feed back. Take Care Rich.<br />Ps. Facebook ? Great ! -> Look forward to it.<br />SimonSimon Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-49658200007294526242011-01-16T17:07:40.023-07:002011-01-16T17:07:40.023-07:00Can't say I disagree with you on anything ther...Can't say I disagree with you on anything there Simon, you said it better than I could and I really liked your take on the truth of it, thing is, truth is not and has never been the most popular thing eh. <br /><br />Part of survivability for many it seems includes the need of superiority and/or dominance, which I suppose is understandable in a Neanderthal sort of way, but that again becomes an issue of us vs them instead of just us, everyone included. <br /><br />This need of hierarchy in absolutely everything.... but as anonymous mentioned, how does that reflect on choice which begs the question... how much choice do we truly have anyway and how much of it should we be allowed to have? <br /><br />Much to ponder if one so desires... <br /><br />PS. Please keep in mind that all comments regarding anything on or from the blog will soon to be made either on our online forum http://senshido.savi.ca/ or our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2617010555 and no longer on the blog itself. <br /><br />Thank you.<br />RichThe Senshido International Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799779829703644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-60351892521918528492011-01-16T16:36:51.834-07:002011-01-16T16:36:51.834-07:00I do not wish to pour oil into the fire - Just for...I do not wish to pour oil into the fire - Just for the sake of the discussion or to add up for careful consideration... <br />And as far as I can: no pretense here...Just questioning out loud. <br />Believing in something seems to be a survival reflex for a human being. Why would it be something wrong with that ? Ok...! Now ! Since we are a fragile species we feel secured when we gather with others. Especially if they care for each other and also if they share our ways of thinking (beliefs). <br />The problem I have with religion is not the religion by itself, it's rather the stand point of view they ground themselves in. <br />Again I'm talking about the system here not their members whom are for many of them great and descent human beings. <br />But to come back to my questioning; I'll put it this way and I know it sounds a bit gullible but again, just for the sake of questioning: What if all religions would say or rather state: Listen guys: We know that anxiety and searching for "a" reason torment us all in this life span so instead of this or that from the other religions, we propose these meanings, those answers to your quest. As far as you feel secured by them feel free to join us and follow our rituals that should calm down your cerebral hamster and bring you more peace and harmony in your life. Stay with us as long as you want and feel free to explore other religions or spiritual guidance and if you ever find one that suits you better just go right ahead. And we will still be friend. <br />So I conclude this way: How the world would have been if religions would have state : we offer you this vision to calm you down instead of saying: we are the only one to own the truth?<br />Thank you for your time. <br />ps<br />To Mr. Anonymous and Rich: It was quite challenging and indeed, a learning process to read your comments. <br />Thank you - I wish you the best !<br />Peace & Long Life. SimonSimon Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-57510429631599704672011-01-16T12:21:31.953-07:002011-01-16T12:21:31.953-07:00Hey anonymous, one more thing... thank you for mak...Hey anonymous, one more thing... thank you for making me realize that I am facilitating a venue for anonymous replies. This isn't fair on my part and I appreciate your position as I should have made mine clearer from the beginning regarding my issue in having conversation with anonyminity yet allowing a venue for such conversation to happen. My bad, on top of being opinionated, I'm also technologically challenged :`)<br /><br />I will be looking into directing all comments regarding any blog piece to either our forum or Facebook page where it's simply nothing more of a pain in the ass to remain anonymous and I figure if someone goes through the trouble of taking the time to register in as someone else, well then that means they really have a deep need to express themselves one way or another and I'll provide the venues being our forum or Facebook page... <br /><br />Much appreciate it, you did help me out in a totally unexpected way, hope to be able to one day do the same for you friend.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />RichThe Senshido International Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799779829703644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-37532354068412076422011-01-16T11:14:51.022-07:002011-01-16T11:14:51.022-07:00Sorry you feel that way, honestly. Thank you for ...Sorry you feel that way, honestly. Thank you for your interest in what I wrote, I do sincerely appreciate it. I do hope you find better places to challenge your intellect. If you ever do change your mind, you know how to reach me.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />RichThe Senshido International Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799779829703644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-11624466135894995692011-01-16T10:56:54.600-07:002011-01-16T10:56:54.600-07:00Again, as you saw fit to ignore the point the firs...Again, as you saw fit to ignore the point the first time, how relevant is my anonymity, if with 2 mins work or less, a false name could have been set up by myself? The answer is, none whatsoever. <br />Rather, your response presents itself as a tacit attempt to lay a charge of cowardice against me, and thereby invalidate that which I wrote. A behavior you continue with a stating of the obvious, that I know your full name, followed by, providing me with your telephone no., something which would also be readily available. Oh, and lets not forget that old ploy, 'if it's so important to you'. Really, that's what it's come to? <br />Your post interested me. As you seem like an articulate individual, and so, I took the time to give a cogent reply as I was genuinely interested in what you would have to say for yourself in response. Well, through your actions, I got my answer. I would be lying if I said I was not hoping for a lot more. True faith relishes being challenged. And I certainly got none of that! So for that reason there is no feeling of vindication on my part. Instead, I feel disappointed and more than a little grubby. I do not see how any intelligent discourse can follow from this point, not that any has been forthcoming to date anyway. I'll leave it to you to employ the tactics of invalidation one last time. For myself, I see no further point in giving you my time. I'll seek my challenges other places.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-90011612214684168752011-01-15T13:27:13.038-07:002011-01-15T13:27:13.038-07:00None of the above... I just don't like to conv...None of the above... I just don't like to converse with anonymity. I respect your position and your beliefs, I don't necessarily agree with them and I have no problem agreeing to disagree but I don't particularly enjoy discussions with anonymous individuals. For me, it serves no purpose. That's all. :`) <br /><br />Here's my number, 514-500-2535... you know my full name, feel free to give me a call, if can't answer for whatever reason, leave me a message with a number I can reach you at and we can discuss things all you like if it's that's important to you but I'm not having discussions with anonymous individuals.<br /><br />After all, I did end the piece with:<br /><br />Much food for thought... These are my beliefs based on my experiences, my research, my questions... I in no way enforce these beliefs on anyone, but I very much do recommend and promote and provoke free thought and questioning... what you come up with is your own.<br /><br />"Absorb what it is useful, add what is specifically of your own and disregard the rest." ~ Bruce Lee<br /><br />Rich<br /><br />Much peace to you brother or sister... ;`)<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />RichThe Senshido International Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799779829703644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-73097079692399365132011-01-15T10:19:33.129-07:002011-01-15T10:19:33.129-07:00I need to ascribe a personal identity to my words ...I need to ascribe a personal identity to my words for them to have gravitas? I have exhibited some sort of cowardice out of a desire for privacy?<br />What a nonsensical position! A name by itself means nothing, as in this context, it would have been very easy for me to fabricate one. That, would have been cowardly. That, would have invalidated my words. And that, I did not do. That being the case, either your reasoning is faulty, or you took a cheap (and weaselly) way out of addressing what I wrote.<br />I would hope I am wrong on that last charge, after all, you did post my reply. Then again, perhaps you did so because you honestly (and incorrectly) believed you could invalidate it in the manner in which you tried to do so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-66591166674821526822011-01-14T17:26:07.961-07:002011-01-14T17:26:07.961-07:00Your words would have more weight behind them if t...Your words would have more weight behind them if they weren't posted as 'Anonymous'. Though I appreciate your position as well as respect your beliefs; I cannot converse with anonymity...<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to express yourself and to share your thoughts. <br /><br />Much peace to you.<br />RichThe Senshido International Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799779829703644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-78762831689389074592011-01-14T16:28:54.110-07:002011-01-14T16:28:54.110-07:00I like your words as they pertain to personal acco...I like your words as they pertain to personal accountability, to a degree. But beyond that, what I see in your position is a condemnation of religion on the basis of individuals acting within the freedom with which they were created. Of all the sins you listed, I did not see one that would not occur to the same degree outside of religion. <br />Discrimination, hatred, violence, all of these would, and indeed do exist, in both individuals and societies where religion is not present. Indeed, history is unequivocal on this point. Totalitarian regimes where belief in God has been eschewed over a belief in the state have butchered millions upon millions of their own people. <br />To write off most individuals as having been brain washed by religion, well, whether you intend this or not, it presents itself as nothing but gross egotism on your part.<br />As to everyone loving for one day? Again, where is the freedom in that?<br />I wonder, rather than asking the question of what you believe in. Did you ever stop to ask what, if anything, believes in you? This is an important distinction in the fundamental question. An atheist will jump at the chance ponder pompously on how the ignorant masses believe in a God, but will not once turn the question around and sit there expounding upon the fatuous notion that they themselves are nothing more than a mass of learned and inherited behavioral traits, that are of no significance and that will all too soon cease to exist without any meaning. And this is with good reason, because one cannot engage in a ego wank when honestly facing nihilism. In a similar way do I view your reasoning. It begins with what you believe, not, what believes in you. From there, any personal relevance or duty to one who created you is forgone, and instead, the all powerful judge is manufactured, one, that can be loftily dismissed, for we are accountable only to ourselves. From here, if nihilism is to not be embraced, then at the very least the idea of a non threatening, non judgmental force or energy must be championed.<br />Just imagine if there is no heaven or hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people, living as I believe they should.<br />The oceans of blood that have resulted from the machinations of such Utopian driven zealots, who to a man could have told what is was they believed in, but never, what One, believed in them, nor why He created us with the freedom with which we have been endowed, have far eclipsed all that has been shed by human failures finding voice in religion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-47211080597119708662011-01-14T11:15:11.234-07:002011-01-14T11:15:11.234-07:00Thanks for sharing bro, as I mentioned in the arti...Thanks for sharing bro, as I mentioned in the article above, I respect all beliefs as long as they are congruous with making an individual kind, selfless, acceptant of others and tolerant. <br /><br />RichThe Senshido International Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799779829703644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296443563804891712.post-45046196653640804812011-01-10T20:18:59.859-07:002011-01-10T20:18:59.859-07:00Nothing forces me to agree - but I do. I do not ha...Nothing forces me to agree - but I do. I do not have any guru and I do not want to be one nor have any followers. But every now and then, there are men, women and even children within all the "layers" of the society who can be very inspiring - that is the beauty of trying to be in the now; learning through living ! <br />"...Excuses for war..." Funny... That was my main argument when I deliver in person my letter to the diocese to officially renounced my birth religion. In my humble - too often arrogant - thus regarding my only own opinion; I don't believe "a" Jesus ever existed. He's more of a script character invented to focus and personalize the means. Still, the message is always relevant, adequate and up to date. ...Like "Give Peace a Chance". Words can be a trap for semantic but I consider myself more of an agnostic... On the After Life: If I may say my favorite quote on this - inspired by Clark Gable's line in Gone With The Wind: "I really don't damn know; I really don't damn care; and I really damn don't give a damn !...I'll see it when I'll get there - if I have to." - Since living in harmony "and love" with myself, the people and the nature surrounding me is quite enough in this life for my (again) humble and arrogant being of mine. Thank you for letting me comment on your thoughts. Peace & Long Life. SimonSimn Leenoreply@blogger.com