Friday, June 08, 2007
The Value of Humanism
(5)
That recent diversion aside, I would like to return to the theme that Western Civilization was fortunate back in the last half of the 20th century: our opponent was an Atheist opponent, the best possible opponent. Our generals did not have to take into consideration the possibility that the opposition might actually seek death as a path to paradise. We knew that they knew that death was the end. It was this mutual understanding which prevented mutual destruction, and which allowed for an eventual reconcilliation. Indeed, it was this particular aspect of our opponent's psychology, combined with our own secret beliefs, which saved us all: everybody concerned understood that Science was the path forward. We all secretly knew that religion was bullshit.
We may still know that. Our problem nowadays is that we do not know whether 'the enemy' knows that. We suspect 'the enemy' does not know that. 'The enemy' is 800 years behind us. We face the prospect of an ancient culture able to use the most modern weapons against us. Science and religion do not mix, and this brings us closer to an appreciation of Humanism.
That recent diversion aside, I would like to return to the theme that Western Civilization was fortunate back in the last half of the 20th century: our opponent was an Atheist opponent, the best possible opponent. Our generals did not have to take into consideration the possibility that the opposition might actually seek death as a path to paradise. We knew that they knew that death was the end. It was this mutual understanding which prevented mutual destruction, and which allowed for an eventual reconcilliation. Indeed, it was this particular aspect of our opponent's psychology, combined with our own secret beliefs, which saved us all: everybody concerned understood that Science was the path forward. We all secretly knew that religion was bullshit.
We may still know that. Our problem nowadays is that we do not know whether 'the enemy' knows that. We suspect 'the enemy' does not know that. 'The enemy' is 800 years behind us. We face the prospect of an ancient culture able to use the most modern weapons against us. Science and religion do not mix, and this brings us closer to an appreciation of Humanism.
