" Because of their belief in their own absolute mortality and the existential finiteness of their time in the world, secularists may see an ultimate preciousness in the world (and life) that might be greater than that of a devout theist-- who may see the world as only a stepping-stone to the ultimate preciousness of a promised afterlife "

Translation:

"Because secularists value life so much, they are happy that it doesn't last forever."

Show us a "secularist" who, given a choice, would rather cease to exist than partake in an eternity of love, happiness, and beauty. Show us a single one who, given the keys to heaven, would rather turn his back and choose to spend eternity in darkness and silence.

The real difference between a theist and a secularist is that the former is so passionate about life that he wants more of it - as much of it as he can possibly conceive of. The theist is not sure of the afterlife anymore than the secularist is sure of eternal oblivion; if anything, they share different dreams, not different convictions. Or, rather, the theist is enamored of his dream while the secularist is haunted by his nightmare.

Any claims to the intellectual superiority of the secularist are just reflections of his own nightmarish inner life. In fact the secularist is not intellectually superior but spiritually inferior. He is proud of being just as he sees himself, a beast, while the theist dreams of becoming an angel.

That is all I have to say on the subject.

• What are you Aurino? - lysithea - July 3, 2003 - 15:22 UTC
  • His religion is... - harvey1 - July 3, 2003 - 16:08 UTC
  • Why is that important? - aurino_ - July 3, 2003 - 16:37 UTC
    • Just curious...? - lysithea - July 3, 2003 - 21:05 UTC