thread: 2006-08-31 : I think my expectations are screwed
On 2006-09-06, Vincent wrote:
Here's Meg's essay, linked.
Sydney, the fact that some symbols and traditions survive doesn't show that they have tremendous psychological power, it shows that they have the power to perpetuate themselves. That's all.
This is a longstanding, dare I say it traditional, complaint of atheists: our symbols and traditions just can't compete with the ruthless and violent ideological opportunism of religion. Religion is cynical where atheism is idealistic; accordingly, religion rules the world.
So try being an idealist for a minute, let's see what happens. Pretend that magically people will marry mostly for love (and thus, across class boundaries), and that men and women will marry one another in close-enough balance, whatever the available arrangements are. With me? I know it's impossible, just pretend. Do you still have an objection to polygamy? Don't write another 20-paragrapher, just tell me whether you do and what it is.
