Submit an Article | Bookmarked Articles

Viewing Articles About All - Page 30

Nihilistic and Anarchistic beliefs compares to which would more	April 21, 2006, 11:09AM
by: helter
Nihilism is a philosophical position that argues that the world, and especially human existence, is without meaning, purpose, truth, or essential value. Nihilists generally believe that God does not exist, traditional morality is false, and secular ethics are impossible; therefore, life has no meaning, and no action is preferable to any other. Nihilist’s will not believe in something for which there is no proof. Many attach these beliefs to anarchism, which is the destruction of government rule. Nihilism is deprived from the Latin word “nihil” which means ‘not anything.’ It is also well known as the Russian word ‘nigilism,’ which in associated with violence, revolution and terrorist acts was believed to lead to the assassination of Czar Alexander II by a group known by the name ‘Will of the People.’ Anarchism, derived from the Greek word avapxia which means ‘without archons’ is a political philosophy in which all forms of governments and social hierarchies are undesirable. The word ‘anarchy’, as most anarchists use it, does not mean chaos, nihilism, or anomie, but rather an anti-authoritarian society that is based on individualism and personal involvement. In place of authoritarian political structures and economic institutions, anarchists use social relations based upon mutual aid and self-governance. Anarchism was seen in earlier religious social and political movements, without claiming to be ‘anarchists.’ An example of this is Taoism from Ancient China, which became the state religion in China in 165 C.E. Ironically, the first use of anarchism in terms other than ‘chaos’ was Louis-Armand, Baron de Lahontan in his Nouveaux voyages dans l'Amérique septentrionale, where he described the native American culture, which had no law, government, or religion. We now know this to be a falsity While many people believe nihilism to be a neo-modernistic belief it has, in fact, a very rich and interesting history. This is most evident in the Russian nihilists in the 19th century. Due to the Industrial Revolution, Russia became a country containing vast differences, monetarily, between the classes. While the rich were very wealthy, many hard-working men and women were starving to death. The Russian government, being completely disconnected from their people due to their extreme wealth, tried to control the people as much as possible using violence and money. The Russian nihilist movement grew out of this. The Russian nihilists, at this time, were under the main ideal that the government needed to be destroyed for a better future. Here, the nihilists of that time contradict themselves. If nothing matters and no particular plan of action is preferable to the other, then why start a revolution? Many anarchists cite earlier religious, social, and political movements as inspirational and sometimes as embodying "anarchistic principles" even though they have not proclaimed themselves as anarchist. An example of this is Taoism from Ancient China. More recent groups that seemed to contribute to the present day ideal of ‘anarchism’ were the Anabaptists, whom believed law was not needed because everyman would do what was right in the face of God, and The Diggers, who were an economic activist group during the English Civil War. Nihilism’s ideals and beliefs are quite simple yet, at the same time complex do to their paradoxical nature. Yes, Nihilists believe in nothing. To them, there is no truth, reason, or point to live. Yet, even while stating these things, Nihilist groups have been known to be revolutionary and very militant. This leads us to the main and unavoidable paradox of Nihilism. If the Nihilists state that ‘there is no truth’ then that statement, in affect, can not be true. While, to many, this argument seems juvenile, it is strong. Therefore Nihilist’s must believe in at least one truth- that there is no truth. Unlike Nihilism, Anarchism can be a very detailed belief system. Anarchists, in general, are very strong individualists, believing everyone in the world should be self-reliant in order to destroy corruption and theft. Anarchists also belief that the environment is extremely valuable, and is not to be wasted. Recycling and conservation are very important to Anarchists. Anarchism also branches off religiously. There are some Christian Anarchist groups that belief God’s will will be carried out without the curroption and control of government. As stated before, Taoists are known to be Anarchists as well. Many present day Anarchist’s are also atheist, believing in no real higher power. In Conclusion, due to reasons such as adaptively in religion, lack of unreasonable paradoxes, and a strong and evident past, it has become throughout this paper increasingly obvious that Anarchism is much more likely to survive in today’s world. Nihilist’s beliefs are too unrooted, paradoxical, and uncentered to ever work in the present day world. While neither is likely to come about in a western society again, anarchy did have a short reign in Spain in 1936-1939. The Spanish workers unions banded together and defeated the Spanish Government. Instead of installing a ruler or government, Spain was under a state of working anarchy for three years before the soon to be ‘King’ Franco was installed as dictator, with help from France.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [8 comments]

Anarchism definition.	April 19, 2006, 2:26AM
by: anarchoslegion
Some people, I have noticed, have had strong arguements over anarchism in the past. I have simply provided some definition to clear up what exactly it is and how it is theorized. Also provided is a source in which you can find these things. anarchism: Theory advocating society without coercive government. Coercion and authority, of which government is the principal expression, are rejected as incompatible with freedom and autonomy. Society should be held together by voluntary co-operation. Human nature is naturally collaborative and social, and with the removal of all forms of power and authority a natural harmony can emerge or be cultivated. Anarchists have normally been suspicious of large scale organization, and large scale industrial organization in particular, and have envisaged social life being conducted in small communities in which a variety of skills are cultivated both by individuals and within the community as a whole. Source: David Miller, Anarchism (London, 1984) anarcho-capitalism: Theory of unrestrained pursuit of economic self-interest. Anarcho-capitalism is the advocacy of an extreme blend of anarchism and free-market economics. Unlike anarchism, anarcho-capitalism assumes that individuals will naturally pursue their own self-interest. Unlike more mainstream advocacies of capitalist economics, anarcho-capitalism proposes doing away with government entirely and leaving all the functions normally carried out by the state, including law enforcement, to either individual or group voluntary action. Source: Murray Rothbard, Ethics of Liberty (Atlantic Highland, NJ, 1982) anarcho-syndicalism: Anarcho-syndicalism is the industrial version of anarchism, and the anarchist version of syndicalism. In industrial societies, the appropriate body to conduct revolutionary or transformative politics consists of workers organized around their industry, rather than their trade. Since social power is at root economic rather than political, power can therefore be seized at its root. Source: David Miller, Anarchism (London 1984) There. Un-bias definition. When given fact of somethings meaning in a certain context, mutual aid seems like a feasible reality does it not? Honetly I just want to see where this goes. More than likely nowhere. It's not here for people to be jumping down eachother's throats or irritation. Just, simple opinion and chat.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [11 comments]

Segregation	April 12, 2006, 8:51PM
by: untold truth
In today’s society we are bound and gagged by the ways we are told to live our lives. There is no real freedom to which we could fully enjoy ourselves. We are told that certain things are right and others are wrong and that these things are written in stone. We have religions telling us the rights and wrongs and how we should live our lives. The media tells us what’s right and wrong. We have no real freedom to speak of. Our self-expression is often wrong in the eyes of society and we are told to suppress it in hopes that, if we do it enough and can hold back from temptation, we can be accepted for who we pretend to be and will be loved by those we associate ourselves with. This is not something we should have to abide by, we should be able to express ourselves however we choose to, but we are told that we don’t have that right almost everyday of our lives. The basis of segregation is FEAR. No matter how hard you try to prove that it isn’t, it really is. It’s based on the fear of change in life, daily routine, job, basically everything. With that fear in your head, a lot of people would do silly things, just to keep everything the same. The fear that drives people is the thing that keeps things, such as segregation, and oppression, alive. Without that fear those things would most likely not exist, or at least be more toned down. Segregation seems to make us reassure, to ourselves, that we are right in our way of thinking. It also allows for the neglect of looking deeper into our problems. People encourage segregation, and use it as a tool to try and keep everyone on the same page about what is accepted and what isn’t. Segregation is a big part of our society, and it dates back centuries. It probably began with the segregation of man and woman, which then led to other things such as Blacks vs. the Whites, homosexuals vs. heterosexuals, and even to our schools in which the unpopular must try and fight their ways into the stream of the Popular or face social exile. For an example, just look at the witch trials held in earlier Europe. They happened around 1450 and continued on to the mid-18th century. A lot of people were killed because of other people’s fear of the unknown. An estimated amount of 40,000, with high estimates reaching as many as 100,000, people were exectued because of accusations made from people who were not, for many reasons, able to confront their fears. Witch trials were held all over Germany, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Ireland, and Spain, although less pronounced in the last three countries. One of the most famous witch trials was in Salem, Massechusetts in 1692, in America. That isn’t as far away in time as some would like to think. 314 years, it may seem like a big number but it really isn’t. These people, women in particular, were murdered because of the mass fear that was circulating at them time. The fear about change in life, and control being lost to people who were different then the status quo. Others were just ordinary people who were sentenced to death just because. No real reason except that the people who were in control at the time were frightened that their control might get taken away and they couldn’t stand the fact that life might just change for the better, so they assumed all guilty as a “better safe then sorry” attitude. They fought to keep control and then began to manipulate people into thinking that people who were witches and warlocks were evil and therefore should be persecuted because of their beliefs. This kind of oppression is occuring now, (although not to the extreames of burnings at the stakes anymore,)a daily thing for people. With the amounts of daily confussion and oppression we go through its almost as if we are being gradually shaped and groomed to become the “perfect” society. Somewhat like Hitler’s ideals, that were not originally the worst ideas. He thought that the perfect society would be the best thing for his people, but then he went overboard and took his anger towards his past and out them into his plans for the future, which did not include Jews. We are being shaped to become the ideal society where there will be no opposition and we don’t think for ourselves anymore, where our choices are made for us and there’s no one who will think enough to complain about the situation. It’s a hard world in which we must learn to live in. A lot of people are forced to oppress their emotions for most of their lives. It is a strain that people shouldn’t have to deal with. Sexuality and self-realization are always being oppressed and shut down in fear that control would be lost and chaos would reign. Things such as homosexuality are shut out because it is wrong in the eyes of the Bible and religion forbids it. To me, religion is often used as a facade that people hide behind so they don’t have to deal with reality. By using the words of the Bible they are able to do things that they probably couldn’t do without it. They are able to say things and have “proof” that they are right in the eyes of God. Things like homosexuality are prohibited in the Bible, therefore it’s wrong. Although religion can be a good thing there are often serious downfalls to the logic of it all. Segregation also plays a big part in religion. The people who don’t believe are pushed out and considered outcasts by those who accept the religion. Again homosexuality, in the Christian faith and most likely others as well, is a cause for concern and exile. They try to tell you that God will accept you if you only change the way you feel. That, ladies and gentlemen, is easier said then done. It is hard for people to just get up and change what you feel. That’s like me asking someone to change how he or she feels about his or her religion, and me telling them it’s wrong. These things can be pushed down and you can be told to forget them, but you can never truly do it. Because they are still there, in your soul, telling you to speak out and let go of the burden your carrying. Although I’m not entirely knocking religion because people often need to have faith in something in order to go about their daily lives and live a “normal” life, I’m saying that it is often used for an advantage rather then true belief. Due to the fact that we are, in general, an extrinsic society that is blindly lead not to think for ourselves and to do what we are told to do, we get the issues of segregation (blacks/whites; males/females; gays/straight) that doesn’t help us to get over our fears and doesn’t even begin to help us broaden our horizons. Because of the “higher ups” in the world who dictate what we should think and how much freedom we are allowed, we follow like sheep to the “all knowing” Shepherd. We aren’t able to do certain things. In some countries you aren’t able to print what you want in the newspapers, it’s all controlled. In places, same-sex marriages can’t occur. Almost everyday of our lives we are told what to do, how to dress; act; speak; and even present ourselves to the world. I think that to move beyond our differences and to begin to be able to understand and accept our emotional inadequacies for what they are is going to be a huge step in the right direction. I may sound like a preacher of some sort, but by opening up to each other, dropping our guards, becoming vulnerable with each other, and creating the kind of intrinsic connections we all need is one of the best things someone can do. Once we allow people to come into our minds and hearts we can begin to understand each other and how we can function in a working society together. So instead of trying to find others to pin the blame on, try and figure out why your doing what your doing. And if you come up with an answer that’s flaky “she’s un-cool, he’s gay” try to figure out the deeper meaning. If it’s just because you were conditioned to say that, try and find the deeper meaning to what you’re doing. Don’t always do what others are doing, just because you want to fit in. Be you, think for yourself, and don’t die a sheep following the Shepherd.
topic: Various
[reply] [14 comments]

Should Canada be officially bilingual?	April 12, 2006, 12:16AM
by: Drewman
Canada, stated in our charter of rights, is a bilingual country, but I don't see how it can be. French and english are Canada's official languages but out of 10 provinces and 3 territories, there is just one OFFICIAL bilingual province. Sounds kind of pathetic. The french language is cast aside and english is proved to be favourite language. We as a country should be ashamed of what we've become. We have no right to call ourselves bilingual if both languages are not being taught at an early age, where chinese is more fluent as a second language than french throughout the country. As a french immersion student in Nova Scotia (Study courses in french, rather than english) is forced to take English throughout High School, and the english students are not forced to take french throughout their high school years. This is discrimination, why should these students be subjected to this? Why are there less and less high school credits offered in french? It's because the government (provincial as well as federal) doesn't care about french immersion students in public high schools. We must obtain 9 french immersion courses to obtain our french certificate, and we only have a choice from 12. We have limited choices in what we take and are forced to study science courses as an arts(english) student or vice versa. The only way to properly study french, would be to attend a seperate school, where the Prerequisites of these schools are to have a direct family member (mom and/or dad) who is legally bilingual, to be allowed entrence into the school. As a student, isn't it my right to be able to study french and have the choices of good quality high school courses, rather than Droit(Law) or Biologie(Biology), no one stands up for us, the government doesn't try to recruit bilingual university students to go into teaching, and offer the high school students of today and the future a fighting chance to study what interests them. If it takes a raise in the teachers pay because they have the bilingual written on their resumés, well do it, for those wanting to become teachers, it'd give them a little added insentive to learn and master both english and french. Why as a student must we have to sacrafice and adapt to these horrid learning environments? Why should I have to suffer because the military budget needs all the money? Why can't teachers be praised and paid like doctors? They do just as an important job as the doctors do. Make the insentive to fight for what is our future and the future of students starting school, or finishing school and continuing on into post-secondary education. How can we be called a first world country when our school systems defy our right to be bilingual? If everyone had a basic understanding of the french language, rather than knowing what pizza toppings, cars, the environment, ect ect, but to be able to at least communicate and comprehend somewhat of the basics (ex; How do I find ....? or Can I use/borrow your ..... ect ect) and be able to allow the francophones from other countries to visit and not feel like aliens, then I'd be proud to say my country is bilingual. This does go for the people from Quebec who do not understand english, as well as the people from other provinces who do not understand french.
topic: Life
[reply] [1 comment]

Self-Awareness	April 11, 2006, 2:49PM
by: Der_Todesengel
A Rant for the Masses By: Malakai Alexandre This generation of humans, or I should say “machines” are at an all time low. When I say machines, I mean exactly that. Fueled by blood, and a mind of false “self-awareness”. But what is true self-awareness? Self-awareness, being able to think for one self. To think without conforming to the government, to the standards of society, or to be like the regular crowd in fear of rejection. The world today is facing corruption. Drugs, sex, money and war. Every person is smoking weed or doing drugs because they think it’s “cool”, because they like the “feeling”. The feeling of becoming unaware of your mind? The feeling of becoming just another useless pawn in the conforming to society? Sex, the number one thing that comes to most people’s minds. Their animalistic behavior. Sex is supposed to be the ultimate sharing of passion and love. So when did this once beautiful thing become so corrupted, dirty, and ridden with disease? When the “female machines” decided it was okay to exploit their body for money, thus comes Prostitutes. As with the same. Sluts, the ones whom don’t ask for money and yet are still are exploiting themselves. When pornography was invented, a useless thing exploiting women and their bodies so male machines could have a private masturbation session while their wives weren’t at home, or sleeping. In today’s generation, sex has standards. How long and wide the male’s penis is, how skinny or fat the female is, how “thick” the female is, how large the woman’s breasts are. What ever happened to having sex for the benefit of love? Thus brings me to the topic of Teen Pregnancy. Females at a young age who become pregnant with their so called “boyfriend”, only to be thrown out like a piece of garbage when the man decides he wants nothing to do with the girl and her child, going on to the next girl. A piece of meat for the taking until something bad happens. Rape, although is a different story, a man who potentially rapes a woman and touches her without her permission is strictly wrong, thus resulting in a child. These offenders must be shot, killed and sodomized with a bowie knife. Anyone who physically abuses a female is just asking to get beat in the back of the head with a baseball bat. A man who hits a woman is no man at all. I see shows like Maury Povitch and Montel Williams, sometimes amusing to how stupid and hopeless the people featured act. But it is a sorry sight to see what the world is becoming. Such phrases as “you are not the father.” (said sixteen times on numerous different segments) ring in my mind and make me smirk, bringing me to the conclusion that a lot of women are sluts. Gay, Lesbian, and “Bisexuality” are at an all time high. The machines certainly do take pride in their same-sex contradictions. I believe love is love, and love who you love. But why for attention? Because the male or female machines think it to be “hot” or sexy to see two females or males kissing and doing other things? Because it may make you seem more popular? I find so many people these days exploring their sexuality for the wrong reasons, not for love, but for popularity and lust. Another note I’d like to make are the people who are overly sexual (more so moronic then anything) who make everything into a perverted joke, I mean sure one or two perverted jokes are okay, but there’s a limit. Girls who obsess over their own breasts or body. Males who claim to have the biggest penis in school, petty shit like that. Money brings greed, and greed brings lust. Money never will buy happiness, nor will it bring the “perfect woman/man”. Unless perhaps you are one of those useless people who look for money in their “potential partner” or many partners to indulge themselves. Inside they aren’t really happy, and guaranteed if you took away all their money they would be utterly devastated. To feel what it’s like to be poor or not so fortunate. In my mind, no woman or man is perfect, and flaws in people are what I look for. I typically look for people who are poor, middle class, or not so fortunate. I for one cannot stand rich people. There is no “perfect person”, regardless of what your religious beliefs are. Specifically Catholic/Christian beliefs, I am stating here and their tales of a perfect and clean woman fathering the “Son of God”. So now I come to the last and final section of this rant. The people who strive their hardest to be different. I’m not saying that just the “normal” part of life is at a loss. I say this equally about everyone. The people who refer to themselves as “freaks”. I’m talking about (excuse my labeling here.) Emo, Scene, Goth, etc. A lot of them are the same (and sadly to say younger then the age of eighteen, but I’ve seen some useless people in their adult years acting like a child). They listen to the same music, whine about how much they don’t get their way. They complain about who likes them and who doesn’t. It’s “such a heartbreak” when an older boy or girl doesn’t like them and then they go cut themselves and cry to Mommy about how much they want to die. Sure I’m a part of a few of the online “Gothic” communities, when there is nothing but stereotypical people looking for other stereotypical people to talk to. I am a part of these because it brings amusement and a smirk to my face when I see a little girl about the age of thirteen posting pictures of her cuts from last night from her horrid break-up. Although I have to say I also can’t stand the kinds of people on some of those sites who write in third person like a complete retard. Make it out to be like they’re some sort of goddess and they should be worshipped, or how great their insignificant other is (which probably only lasts about a week or two, heh.). Thus concludes this rant on Tuesday, April 11, 2006. I hope your day is well and you all don’t hate me to much. I just tell it how it is. Malakai
topic: Rants
[reply] [0 comments]

Conform To Us...	April 9, 2006, 5:02PM
by: untold truth
I think that as society progresses we slowly sink into the pit of materialism and conformism. We want to feel safe so we choose to follow others and we try to compensate for our inefficiencies and inadequacies with material goods and wealth/status. Of course not everyone is obsessed with fitting in but a lot of the world (developed countries) is. People in developing countries, people who have nothing, are, I think, less likely to care about things like pimped out cars, and breast implants. They are more focused on things like food, shelter and water. We, as a society, I think, place material items on a high ladder. We try and press onto others that certain things are “in” and if you don’t own it you’re basically screwed, because you wont be cool since you aren’t/can’t buy the product that is being pushed down your throat. Without name brands like Nike and Sony, and their commercials, imprinting themselves into your brain and making kids whine about not having them we are slowly slipping down a dark tunnel that leads us nowhere but disaster. We buy clothes so we can fit in. We buy all the “right” things, shoes, earrings; We change our hair colours, styles, body weight and shape. We say certain things; we don’t say certain things. We are, it seems, always trying to fit in and impress. I guess we figure that its easier to fit in then to be different. To stand out takes courage these days. We all want to be liked but sometimes if you stand out you’re not going to be given the open arms you hoped for. Take homosexuals. They get ostracized because of their sexual orientation when really it should be no ones problem but their own because it’s a personal issue that doesn’t include anyone but their partners. They should have all the same rights as a straight person because the only difference is that they sleep with someone of their own sex. I mean…get over it already! They have been around for ages, dating back to even the Greeks who actually encouraged homosexuality, and greeted it with open arms. I think that we need to be able to accept everyone for who they are be it someone who’s black; white; yellow; tan; pale; blonde; brunette; redhead; tall; short; gay; straight; or even bisexual. If we never plan on being able to get along society is never really going to go past the point we are at now. Being “in” with society and the “popular” people is often people’s goal. They assume that if they can get in with the “cool” crowd they will have an easier life and they will be more liked. This, my friends, is not always the case, because the popular crowd is an extrinsic layer that is based on looks and status. We keep ourselves distant and apart when we choose, or it is chosen for us, to separate ourselves from each other and discriminate against those who wont “fit in” because of some small technicality. I think that if you are going to try and break through the barrier that society has given us then you are going to need a battering ram with a whole army behind you helping you to break down the wall of segregation. I also think that you should try to find out more information on products before you buy them so you aren’t just being a sheep and following the flock, you should be informed about the things you are going to have in your possession. That is the kind of thing that helps to break the wall down. You should also try and challenge things that society has/is throwing out at you. If you try and weigh the reasons why, you could figure out your own opinion on the topic instead of just bringing up regurgitated opinions. That way you can truly say you have your own opinion and you can make your own observation.
topic: Various
[reply] [1 comment]

Public’s Perception of Normal	April 4, 2006, 4:10PM
by: Punk1989
This is a really sensitive subject only because the majority of crowd’s all have a different perception of what should be normal and how they want to address this normality, some types of people don’t want to be normal and want to be individualists, while others want to fit into the crowd as best they can. Even the type of music we listen to dictates which category of people we are perceived to be in. There are many definitions of what ‘normal’ really is. One such definition is “Conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm”. The Collins English Dictionary defines normal as “Usual; Common; Regular; Typical.” It also states that normal is “Conforming to the conventions of one’s group” which is the type of normal I am going to discuss in this article. Normalcy within a group is all a matter of the person’s perception and act of will to which they want to be viewed by the public. Each person, whether they admit to it or not, judge a person within first 5 seconds of meeting that person, and judges them to be ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’. The individual’s morals and the type of person they are adds to this immediate judgment, and so the public’s perception of normal is the individual person’s perception of normal but amplified by the amount of people which share their views. Yet another false judgment that the public makes is that all people who are overweight are lazy, whereas some have medical conditions. Even if they do have a medical condition, they are likely to suffer snide remarks such as “Fat ass” or “Wide Load”, which may just push them further into a depression and force them further into an eating frenzy. In America, at the current time, 64.5% of Adults aged 20 years or older, are now obese, which is more than half, and yet this is still not viewed as the norm within the American culture. The British culture is not far behind, with 40% of British adults obese, which is nearly as many as underweight or averagely weighted people, and still they are viewed as social outcasts. There are many groups that are viewed as not being normal, Goths, Emos, Punks, Anarchists, Atheists and many more. Religion is another reason for you to be regarded as not normal, or in some views, unfit. Christianity: 2.1 billion Islam: 1.3 billion Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion Hinduism: 900 million Chinese traditional religion: 394 million Buddhism: 376 million Primal-indigenous: 300 million African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million Sikhism: 23 million Juche: 19 million Spiritism: 15 million Judaism: 14 million Baha'i: 7 million Jainism: 4.2 million Shinto: 4 million Cao Dai: 4 million Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million Tenrikyo: 2 million Neo-Paganism: 1 million Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand Rastafarianism: 600 thousand Scientology: 500 thousand As clearly shown above, Christianity is clearly the most popular religion within the free world, and there is a major difference between the highest and second highest religion, 0.8 billion people. There are many different varied religions, and yet some people of one religion may not be able to accept some people of another religion. So, in relation to the article and to finish, the publics perception of normal is within the individual, a Goths perception of normal may different from an Anarchist’s perception of normal and vice versa. This was written by: Punk1989
topic: Life
[reply] [1 comment]

Equality.	March 27, 2006, 11:49PM
by: colorofnightfall
Individuality is a constantly debated point. Some contend that all people are the same while others will contend only those who 'free their minds' are truly different. There is even the widely shared sentiment of 'You can be different just like everyone else.' I agree with the above statement but in a completely different sentiment than it is often interpreted. I feel that everyone is different but that this is what makes them equal. Everyday we see examples of people embittering the differences between us instead of embracing them. We see people criticizing those who try to be different or who are just trying to find their different personality. Every person is different and not because of their fingerprint or the distance from their ear to their eye or their dental record. Every person is unique because of their personality. Identical twins separated from birth prefer the same tea without ever meeting but that doesn't make them the same person. Cliques are not such because everyone is named 'Barbie' but because there is a Barbie and a Sharon and a Cathy and a Suzie and they all understand each other and their differences regardless of how similar they dress. While you can't tell all the scene kids apart I promise you they all have names and personalities and different likes and dislikes and things that make them who they are. People shouldn't have to try to be different because they are born that way. No matter how hard you will try you will never be the clone of your best friend so stop trying to convince the world thats what it is. I have now established that the entire world is different. There is the conflict of what differences can bring. The media is often portraying racial and discriminatory crimes. By definition these crimes are committed because someone is discriminating against people who are different than them. They may be black, homosexual, muslim, female, male, christian, bisexual, foreign but above all they are different. They are strange and foreign and scary and heterogeneous and all those things that frighten us so much. At this point people run to defend the value of diversity point out all the wonderful reasons we are different and why that makes us amazing. And this is completely true. Without the mix, the chaos of some many different ideas, opinions, beliefs, cultures and minds we would have nothing. Every single human being is different and that is why human culture in one form or another has survived so long. That is the beauty of difference. I am myself and you are yourself but we are equals. I don't care if you are the 'scum of the earth' or the king(or queen) of Persia. You are human just like me. You will never be me but you will always be my equal. The things that make us different is not what makes us the same but what makes us equal. It shows that we can try and be be better or worse than some one else but that it can't compare. It is truly like comparing apples and oranges. They are both fruits and then both have seeds but one red and the other orange, soft and hard, segmented and whole. You can't hold them to the same level because they aren't the same thing. If you were to ask who was better, me or you?, there would be no comparison because while we might seem superficially similar we are completely different. No one human being is better or worse than another because we are uniquely incomparable.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [5 comments]

Wicca	March 24, 2006, 4:58PM
by: Punk1989
Wicca I am so tired of hearing how Wicca’s are the devils servants and how we are all Satanists, let me tell you this, we are not. The Devil is a Christian manifestation and we don’t believe in any such thing. We choose to do things because we feel right doing it, not because of fear of the afterlife and that we will be eternally punished. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing this to aggravate people of another religion, that is your choice, but to hear these insults again and again is just severely annoying. We Wicca’s follow a Wiccan Reed, which is much like the Christian ten, which basically state that: A) Harm ye none B) Do what thou wilt These basically mean that you will not harm any living being for any purpose or reason, because anything action that you perform will come back towards you 3 times, whether that is bad or good. This is the basic philosophy of the Wiccan religion, we also believe that any other person is entitled to their own opinion, they are their own choices, we are not biased, we do not judge on appearance, sexual orientation or religion, and we do not try to force our religion onto anyone else. “We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you--to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think” - This was said by Margot Adler. Although we see much acceptance in this world, we also see much negativity as the American (Said that because I live in Northern Ireland) President George Bush, stated that Wicca’s would not serve they’re country in Iraq because Wicca is a cult and not revered as a real religion, which is just sadistically stupid on his part. His exact words where “"I don't think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military officials would take a second look at the decision they made." “He disapproved of Wiccan soldiers being given the same religious rights as others in the military.” This proves that all religions are not accepted as they should be, there are many different religions ranging from Aladura to Zoroastrianism, but Wiccan’s are usually the most hated ones because Christians review them as “Devil Worshippers”. My friend stated something extremely true, which was “It’s like choosing to have electric power over gas power, its no big deal in the long run, except, lets say Christians are the gas power they are constantly flammable because they're so biased, so their religion is slowly exploding into flames, while the rest, with the electric power, sit happy in their homes watching their favorite shows.” The Wiccan religion is not a joke, we are not just part of this religion to be “cool” as some other people do, we are this religion because we fully believe in it. Below are some sites that give you some comparisons and interesting views on Wiccan’s. http://www.religionfacts.com/wicca/index.htm http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr4.htm
topic: Rants
[reply] [3 comments]

Label Crazy	March 23, 2006, 3:24PM
by: Sean T.
I don't know about you but I'm about sick of labels, what ever happened to good old originality. Everyone wants to define themselves based upon a certain 'trend', Goth, Emo, Punk, Juggalo, Jock, Prep, Geek. I haven't exactly figured out where labels come from.. is it because of close minded people judging others who look or dress differently or is it just people who label themselves in an attempt to fit in, in fear of being judged. We're all people.. and to those of you who've decided to only associate with people who fit your 'label' and laugh at others who aren't as 'cool' as you, then you've got alot to learn. The facts are this... there a good people, and there are bad people. Take the time to learn about someone before you say 'Oh no, I'm not talkin to that preppy bitch, or I could never be seen around someone like hard.core.maggot666. Listen, I have friends that fit all these so called labels... honestly they could switch places with each other and it wouldn't make much difference... just the way they look. Take 'preps' for instance... people say they don't like preps because they love money and material things and they hate people who are less fortunate than them. well, I know people that dress that way and they're nowhere near rich... thats just what they like to wear. I honestly don't like true preps... I don't judge them by the way they look... I get to know them first and you can usually tell a real prep right off the bat, real preps are bad people. How about goths... to others they just look like the worst people you could meet... goths get judged alot, by people in the real world anyway, truthfully I don't think many people even know what it means when they say their gothic... maybe everybody has their own little definition. But once again there are bad goths who live up to the public image by doing hostile things to other and what not.. but yet have I met a goth who was like that... sure maybe they do drugs or whatever you'd like to believe.. but generally their just really cool people no matter what personal choices they choose to damage their bodies with, if any. What about geeks? Yeah, I've gotten that one.. but it really doesn't mean much to me.. the facts are that I'm technically proficient, and I wear glasses.. Ok.. but people still define so called geeks as having this really nerdy unpersonable attitude toward others, as if their only friend was their computer.. Hah. People just tend to judge that way too much, and sure, there are people just like that. But the only reason you should judge someone on is personality... you don't know what their like just by looking at them, even if theyre ugly, or evil lookin, or have their hand shaped like a gun pointed at their head. Just give others a chance and you never know.. you could end up with a new best friend, or an awesome relationship. Character is the main thing... look past clothes and looks Another big thing going on is the gay/bi issue... and it seems like so many guys are disgusted at the idea of another guy looking at them or hitting on them... listen.. if you put yourself on the internet then your gonna get looked at whether you know it or not. Gay guys can be really awesome, sure some will try to hit on straight guys/girls, but if your straight then don't let it bother you.. everyone makes such a big deal out of it. Most people that are gay or lesbian are born that way and they can't do anything to control it.. and its gotten so open now that the government tries to stop gay marriages and holy evangelists condemn gay people to hell.. give me a fuckin break. I think this is one of the lighter things becoming much more accepted because of awesome people out there proving that everyone has a right to choice. The most important thing going on with differences between people has got to be racial discrimination... it's just the stupidest thing that people have engraved in their minds. But once again it is always gonna be a deal of good people and bad people... there are good white people, there are good black people, good chinese, good mexican, good puerto ricans... it's all about fear for one's safety... racists are just afraid of being hurt by someone of another color because they believe that their color is discriminated upon.. or they don't like it cause their jobs are getting taken... thats just simple business right there... be mad at the CEO's of companies, not the mexicans that they hired cause they'll work for less.. Why take it out on any some mexican.. they had nothing to do with you losing your job. I mean.. come on.. we all came from the same place, and at one time we were all the same exact color... thats how its gonna be here soon enough.. I might not see that day, but that will be a nice world to live in.. No more racial discrimination.. we're all coming back together... one world, one goverment, one race... it could be that way now if people learned to agree on their differences. Maybe some of you don't wanna see it that way.. but its bound to happen no matter what. Why wouldn't you wanna live in an undivided world were everyone could just get along. One thing that may never change is the religion issues flaring all over the place. This is one of the main primers for racism. We all have our beliefs... everyone has somewhat different beliefs of an afterlife... or they believe in nothingness after death, thats a bit too dismal for me.. but I still respect it. Choice is everyones freedom to take the path that suites them best. Personally I've never liked religion because there are so many different views and arguments against the others.. So many contradictions.. and the only main factor is a divine creator and an afterlife. I think if you choose to follow religious rules and sanctions then thats fine. I believe in God though.. I like alot of worship music.. but I don't follow any rules to how to live my life.. I just do what I know and be the best person I know how to be but I still like studying other peoples ideas, even satanism... I know you guys aren't bad people. Heh. Personally I think earth is hell. I think if you do bad things here then you just reincarnate into a lower form. But I'm not gonna get into my beliefs too much.. I know there are people that'll disagree with me. Overall, my main point for people is to open up and stop judging people so much. You'd be able to find yourself alot happier if you got to that point of being able to find common groud with people that only seem strange to your ideals. So just think about that the next time you think about leaving rude comments or calling someone names. I'm sure if your kind then they will be too. It takes understanding to get understanding.
topic: Advice
[reply] [17 comments]

pages: back 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 next