PBS Frontline this week is broadcasting a two-hour segment that examines the role of spirit and religion in the events of September 11 and its aftermath, Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero. I found it fascinating, frightening, profound -- highly recomended.

What I find unsatisfying about these kinds of shows is that they never really honestly question the validity of religion. They might interview a token atheist--the more borderline psychotic, the better--and have some hand-wringing from a believer wracked by doubt along the lines of *Sniff* "How could God let the *sob* kids die?? Why??????" *Sniff* but they never explore whether we'd all be better off without any religion whatsoever; it's almost always a base line assumption that Religion Is A Good Thing.

My local PBS station obviously isn't interested in the question either because they ran the show at 4:30 am this morning. It's being re-run next week, but there was nothing on the link Rudy provided compelling enough to make me want to pass up watching a ballgame or a movie.

[ September 04, 2002: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

With all due to respect to the religious people who were affected, as I grow older, I am less and less interested in religion based shows - given that I know journalists need to make money; and for many, many years to come, this will mean religion-based programming.

I did lose my job with United, and I can't help but think that my opinions on 9/11 would not be accepted, in that, if anything, I am a spiritualist, into New Age beliefs, and enjoy a practice as an astrologer that I want to build to serve the corporate world.

Not to mention my reverence for Margaret Cho!

Oh, well.

It's kinda strange how religion and tradgedy go together. People seem to look to it after some disasterous event. I remember Nolan Ryan saying superstition is a weakness of the mind. I think you can say the same thing about religion. But, religion makes people feel better and if it helps them get through a tough time, then fine. Keep in mind those nut jobs that attacked us were doing the deed in the name of religion. So maybe, religion and lack of common sense go together too.

[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: budge ]

[quote]Originally posted by budge:
I remember Nolan Ryan saying superstition is a weakness of the mind.

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He might've, but are you sure the quote wasn't "religion is a weakness of the mind"? That was said by Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura. Obviously, Ryan being a possible future GOP candidate in the Republic of Texas, he would never utter THOSE words...

Isn't it ridiculous that any sentient adult -- including a religious person -- could ever expect that horrible things only happen to bad people?

[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: Bill W ]

I didn't know Ventura said that. I just remember they did a little thing on TV about ballplayers and their superstitions around 90'or 91'. Ryan had said he didn't have any, then, went on to make the weakness of the mind statement regarding superstition not religion. I think religion and superstition are pretty much linked. That's the only reason I applied it here.

[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: budge ]

[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: budge ]

[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: budge ]

[quote]Originally posted by redsoxbreath:
PBS Frontline this week is broadcasting a two-hour segment that examines the role of spirit and religion in the events of September 11 and its aftermath, Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero. I found it fascinating, frightening, profound -- highly recomended.

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I guess should have added the caveat, "for those interested in such matters."

The actions of September 11 were rooted in religion, and whether you like, resent or detest it, it's a social force we can't avoid reckoning with. Even an act of terrorism makes a stark spiritual (philosophical, if you prefer) statement. The episode asks thoughtful, perceptive questions about good, evil and "a power greater than ourselves". What it doesn't do (unlike, for example, a fundamentalist) is proclaim all the right answers.

Now, would you like to take a personality test?

[quote]Now, would you like to take a personality test?

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Not quite sure if you're serious, but if you have link to one of those online polls/tests/quizzes, post the link and I'll do it. Godless heathen that I am.

Sorry Jim Allen, that was a totally oblique reference to Scientology's streetcorner recruiters, who use the "free personality test" to chum for new membes of their "religion". Of course the test is online now, so if you do decide to take it, be sure to let us know how it goes. Just don't give them any personally identifiable information.

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: redsoxbreath ]