Theism v. Atheism in Prog

Tony R wrote: So far so good. Unfortunately I feel it necessary to intervene with a short message. I dont intend this as a sleight against the people who have posted so far. To potential contributors to this thread: any posts discussing the merits/demerits of atheism/theism will be deleted.

The original question is an utterly facile one...it's like asking if people prefer Beethoven or Mozart but only allowing the deaf to reply....

It should be self-evident that our responses are going to be indicative of our beliefs ?

Here's a better one:

Which do you prefer, chocolate or fish ?
(Only those allergic to both chocolate and fish are permitted to respond to ensure fair, balanced and unbiased objectivity)

Delete this post at your pleasure

ExittheLemming wrote: Tony R wrote: So far so good. Unfortunately I feel it necessary to intervene with a short message. I dont intend this as a sleight against the people who have posted so far. To potential contributors to this thread: any posts discussing the merits/demerits of atheism/theism will be deleted. The original question is an utterly facile one...it's like asking if people prefer Beethoven or Mozart but only allowing the deaf to reply.... It should be self-evident that our responses are going to be indicative of our beliefs ? Here's a better one: Which do you prefer, chocolate or fish ? (Only those allergic to both chocolate and fish are permitted to respond to ensure fair, balanced and unbiased objectivity) Delete this post at your pleasure

I don't think that Tony would mind if we discussed why we like the chocolate...just as long as we don't talk about how disgusting and stinky the fish is.

Tony R wrote: ExittheLemming wrote: Tony R wrote: So far so good. Unfortunately I feel it necessary to intervene with a short message. I dont intend this as a sleight against the people who have posted so far. To potential contributors to this thread: any posts discussing the merits/demerits of atheism/theism will be deleted. The original question is an utterly facile one...it's like asking if people prefer Beethoven or Mozart but only allowing the deaf to reply.... It should be self-evident that our responses are going to be indicative of our beliefs ? Here's a better one: Which do you prefer, chocolate or fish ? (Only those allergic to both chocolate and fish are permitted to respond to ensure fair, balanced and unbiased objectivity) Delete this post at your pleasure Your analogies are facile Mr 5 Posts only. What I dont want is a discussion about the merits of atheism or theism and deliberately antagonistic posts from people like you.

OK Mr 13,515 posts (and counting)

(Quote) "People like me" (unquote) could offer ELP's 'The Only Way' from 'Tarkus' as my favorite treatment of the atheistic side but could not offer an equivalent to the theistic side, as this is precisely because I have an atheist perspective on such matters. It would be both unreasonable and illogical to expect me to be moved by a paen to say, Buddha when I am not a Buddhist ? Yes, I may find the musical content and delivery moving, but as much as I may admire the messenger, the message itself cannot constitute a part of my admiration. This seems very obvious to me but you and others on the forum may have differing perspectives on the matter.

As far as evaluating the merits or otherwise of contributions to a given topic based on the arithmetic sum of their postings, I would be hard pressed to devise a more facile measuring system if I tried.

OK so I forgot the smiley

Love from Mr 6 Posts Only

I dont think he was being trollish Tony, i think his argument is directed at a statement he misunderstood. Tony didnt say you couldnt bring religion into it, thats obviously going to happen.
 he just didnt want people coming in here and saying "atheism is stupid!" or "i cant believe people would believe in that thats ridiculous".
Religion and your beliefs have to be brought into it, directly or indirectly and im sure they are allowed to be discussed as to how they relate to your opinion on the best treatment of religion in progressive music.

My post is quite clear.

to potential contributors to this thread: any posts discussing the merits/demerits of atheism/theism will be deleted.

Re-read it.

Remember it please.

If you wish to challenge Admin statements or actions please do it by PM or via the admin email address given above.

Thank you.




Edited by Tony R - May 08 2008 at 15:08

AQUALUNG not atheist? Then what do you make of Mr. Anderson's sleevenotes:

'In the beginning Man created God; and in the image of Man created he him.

2. And Man gave unto God a multitude of names, that he might be god all over the earth when it was suited to Man.

3. And on the seven millionth day Man rested and did lean heavily on his God and saw that it was good.'

Pretty obvious, isn't it? No matter what Ian may be singing about in "My God", and no matter what he may have said in certain interviews, these statements clearly point towards an atheist way of thinking.

micky wrote: rushfan4 wrote: To change the subject back to the subject, this might be a good time to mention the ProgArchives Featured Album of the Month called The Pleasure and the Pain: Part 1 from Torman Maxt.  It is a concept album with a Theism (Deism) theme relating to the story of Job.    (No need to bring up past issues with this album, however, M@x please forward my commission check ). Never even listened to the damn album.

micky wrote: The T wrote: micky wrote: rushfan4 wrote: To change the subject back to the subject, this might be a good time to mention the ProgArchives Featured Album of the Month called The Pleasure and the Pain: Part 1 from Torman Maxt.  It is a concept album with a Theism (Deism) theme relating to the story of Job.    (No need to bring up past issues with this album, however, M@x please forward my commission check ). Never even listened to the damn album.   Oh.. it's so closed related to Job's fable that it even teaches you.... to have PATIENCE and not press SKIP... Job's Fable???   huh... *fast train to hell with micky as conductor*  Must have been sleeping that day in Bible study..

fuxi wrote: AQUALUNG not atheist? Then what do you make of Mr. Anderson's sleevenotes: 'In the beginning Man created God; and in the image of Man created he him. 2. And Man gave unto God a multitude of names, that he might be god all over the earth when it was suited to Man. 3. And on the seven millionth day Man rested and did lean heavily on his God and saw that it was good.' Pretty obvious, isn't it? No matter what Ian may be singing about in "My God", and no matter what he may have said in certain interviews, these statements clearly point towards an atheist way of thinking.

I have to disagree that this is clearly an atheist way of thinking. although it could be seen as that from an atheist point of view and used to argue for atheism i think anderson meant it to be more of  condemnation of organized religion, ie the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church wrote the bible, created the image of God, set up the idea of God gave him a multitude of names so he might be God all over the earth when it suited the Catholic Church.
Ian doesnt come out and deny the existence of any god or a God, just the God created by the Catholic Church.