Christmas and contradiction

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
Ecurb
Posts: 2138
Joined: May 9th, 2012, 3:13 pm

Re: Christmas and contradiction

Post by Ecurb »

Sculptor1 wrote: December 25th, 2020, 12:16 pm
Ecurb wrote: December 25th, 2020, 11:42 am

"Only"?

Myths resonate when they embody personal histories writ large.
Yes, only.
In fact its only an OLD story.
It's totally out of date and uses the logic of sacrificel; virginity; purity; divinity all of which employ cultural logic which no longer makes any sense in the modern day.
There's much more truth in Lord of the RIngs.
This particular "out of date" story seems to have engaged the interest of some billions of our fellow humans -- those who celebrate Christmas. Many of them live in the modern world. What Sculptor means is that HE isn't engaged, touched or inspired by the story.

Old stories are often the best stories. Literature doesn't progress, like science. Old stories rule! Modern playwrights can only hope to equal Shakespeare; modern composers Mozart.

I'm sure many 20th century tellers of tales agree, including the author of this poem, rich with the symbolism of ancient Valinor (of course I assume everyone here speaks Sindarin):

A Elbereth Gilthoniel!
Silivren penna miriel
o menna aglar elenath,
Gilthoniel, A! Elbereth!
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Sculptor1
Posts: 7066
Joined: May 16th, 2019, 5:35 am

Re: Christmas and contradiction

Post by Sculptor1 »

Ecurb wrote: December 30th, 2020, 11:29 am
Sculptor1 wrote: December 25th, 2020, 12:16 pm

Yes, only.
In fact its only an OLD story.
It's totally out of date and uses the logic of sacrificel; virginity; purity; divinity all of which employ cultural logic which no longer makes any sense in the modern day.
There's much more truth in Lord of the RIngs.
This particular "out of date" story seems to have engaged the interest of some billions of our fellow humans -- those who celebrate Christmas.
Er. No.
People do not consider the absurdity of the story.
They cherry pick the nice bits, about the baby Jesus. But most of them don't give a rat's **** about Xmas as such. Its just a solstice type excuse to stuff your face with booze and food and demand presents from those that you have given to.

Many of them live in the modern world. What Sculptor means is that HE isn't engaged, touched or inspired by the story.
A handful of fools give it more than a minutes consideration. Most do not.
Old stories are often the best stories. Literature doesn't progress, like science. Old stories rule! Modern playwrights can only hope to equal Shakespeare; modern composers Mozart.
NO again.
There is much in Shakespeare that is opaque to say the least.
Homer, similarly has hints at traditions and customs long gone and no longer fully accessible to the modern mind.
I'm sure many 20th century tellers of tales agree, including the author of this poem, rich with the symbolism of ancient Valinor (of course I assume everyone here speaks Sindarin):

A Elbereth Gilthoniel!
Silivren penna miriel
o menna aglar elenath,
Gilthoniel, A! Elbereth!
I prefer Orcish
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.

When I say truth. It's about loyalty and friendship and heroism of the Hobbits.
Ecurb
Posts: 2138
Joined: May 9th, 2012, 3:13 pm

Re: Christmas and contradiction

Post by Ecurb »

Sculptor1 wrote: December 30th, 2020, 12:06 pm

I prefer Orcish
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.

Anyone who knows you could have guessed that!
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h_k_s
Posts: 1243
Joined: November 25th, 2018, 12:09 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle
Location: Rocky Mountains

Re: Christmas and contradiction

Post by h_k_s »

Atla, who is currently on your ignore list, made this post.
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h_k_s
Posts: 1243
Joined: November 25th, 2018, 12:09 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle
Location: Rocky Mountains

Re: Christmas and contradiction

Post by h_k_s »

Sculptor1, who is currently on your ignore list, made this post.
Display this post.
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h_k_s
Posts: 1243
Joined: November 25th, 2018, 12:09 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle
Location: Rocky Mountains

Re: Christmas and contradiction

Post by h_k_s »

Confucius is why there is an ignore list.
Ah, so.
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