What are the problems that are inhibiting the United States from establishing a pure “pragmatic empricism”?
I believe religion and the media are the two fundamental aspects of why people are not able to form a secular society that functions neutrally, regardless of beliefs. As we have discussed, it is possible to be imposing an empiricist view that could reflect similar methods of that of a totalitarian. I think this is a bit of a radical claim, and maybe necessary only to appease those of religious faiths (or more critically inquiring readers), for I think the basis of common experience through our five senses seem justifiable. As Clark says it is available to all.
This week made me ponder as to how I came to my own conclusions about the existence of God, reality, people, and so forth. I remember that by the time I was 5 or 6 I no longer believed in Santa Claus, for the idea just seemed to silly to me, plus it had been reinforced by movies in which someone has to be Santa, or they are a mall Santa, etc. It must have made an impression on me in my future evaluations of reality. I remember having to go to Sunday school, but I was never to be confirmed (luckily, my mother had the sense to not make me go). In fact, I remember the last time I went. It was my first communion and we were all in some kind of big study, each student with his parent. The Pastor decided that we should say what we wanted to get from attending Church and God. I was the first one who had to go. This event wound en up being one of my first performances as an actor, for to this day I remember lying about how I wanted to learn more about God and luckily was able to get through that moment. I may have believed in God for a while after, but I remember that it had to do with fear of hell that I would pray. I didn't want to go to hell, obviously.
As I entered high school, punk rock soon influenced how I viewed the political spectrum of things. Bush was bad. Republicans were ignorant. Everything seemed easy and well laid out. I was a realist and not praying to some false idol, some invisible man in the sky. George Carlin helped me out a lot with these ideas too. Being associated with the Democratic party felt right to me. My brother was gay which swayed my opinions to tolerate everyone. War seemed pointless and unnecessary and only happened due to the greed of others. Essentially I wanted the freedom that was so homed by our nation but never seemed to truly live up to its name. By my senior year of high school, I had taken a philosophy course called the Theory of Knowledge. It basically blew my mind in the different views of how to look at the world. It introduced me to Plato's Simile of the Line/Cave, which I have always loved due to its ability to incorporate all things and clearly view the human condition on what is truth.
Today however, I believe strongly in the idea of assimilation and that we all play an active part in the creation of our reality. For instance, the reason that people believe in God is because that's what they know. It is what they have experienced. I am fortunate to realize the reasoning for why people obviously believe in what they do. In that way, I cannot find that my opinion is more valid than anyone else's, but I do believe that it will have an outcome on how we interact with the world. Our hates, loves, desires, and notions of things are self-created based on experience. I think it would almost be impossible for someone in Kansas to start praying to Allah or meditating to Buddhist mantras if they have been going to church their whole life. In that way, it is almost purely up to chance on what you believe in, essentially based on where you were born.
Since we are actively creating and shaping our world by our actions we all have a responsibility. This responsibility extends to doing things that wouldn't essentially lead to others suffering. Suffering is a universal experience of living and acknowledging this is one of the first steps into relieving our suffering. The media in my opinion adds to this suffering. We are constantly in fear of unknown enemies, people who we think are out to get us. This may be true to a small degree, but it is highly over exaggerated. Clearly these enemies of ours are suffering too. Why else would they want to seek revenge? Many Americans overlook this fact, and feel that their own perspective is right because of what they know and what they are told. Blindly listening to the news anchors and not coming a conclusion based on your own beliefs is dangerous because it will influence our actions. Rhetoric, such as the Sophists used, is how the media and politicians try to win the opinions of others. I feel we have stopped listening to our own opinions because in this technologically advanced world, most people do not have the time to stop and think about what is really going on, for they are constantly bombarded by "professional" opinions. They put blame on others when they don't see that these people are just as unhappy as they are.
Going back to assimilation now. As we have grown up, the people in my generation, and probably within our parents generation too, have always had two parties (and voting for any other party would just seem silly). We have been strayed to believe that this is the only way in which the democracy of the United States can function. This leads me to the question of how can two sides ever be neutral? That will never be the case because our idea of reality correspondent two diametrically opposed states and not individual issues. The hype from the media just fuels the fire and stagnates our problems, dumbing down our perspectives on matters, until they are so beyond our control that war seems to be the only solution. Meanwhile, the rich enjoy their luxuries at the expense of blood, lives, and happiness.
As we look at today, we are seeing that liberals and republicans are still battling for supremacy and rule. In my opinion, our country is in a cold civil war between itself, although most fail to acknowledge this. Some though, like those of Occupy movements realize that their is something critically wrong with our state. Many others around the world are doing and realizing the same. One can only hope, that although their goals and ideas may be divided or different, that even if their is no leader or figurehead among their ranks, that we can come together, as a united people, and take back what this country and the most beautiful ideals of man had intended. This realization that change is needed can be the spark that will inevitably change our way of life and viewing others.
There are other groups such as the Tea Party though, who for some reason, assume that America is a Christian nation. I do not understand their reasoning for this. They feel however though, that others are at fault for the problems of the America and the world over. This is a response from a person I know who is a Tea Party supporter:
"I am a huge Tea Party fan and supporter....Remember the Intolerable Acts...they started the American Revolution. America for the Americans. Illegals...leave. Mantra: Pro Life, Anti-gay marriage, support the right to bear arms. Less Government. Freeze prices and six months later freeze wages. I am a strong Conservative that believes that this country is doomed because we no longer allow God into our lives. Just think: 20 years ago, we had Ronald Regan, Johnny Cash and Bob Hope. Today, we have Obama, no CASH and no HOPE. And due to the recent events, I call for an all out War against Muslims who need to get the hell out of America and enjoy their sand and deserts. Yes I am a hater."
*In the same respect, any Occupy supporters who do not accept other people's differences will not be helping the problem.
To me this person obvious does not think for themselves and is revolved in the spinning debate of the media. I cannot understand how they feel such hatred if they claim to be so connected with God and following his order. This kind of response seems to be the thing that would get you into hell, if I am correct. In the Bible it states, "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." (John 4:8). This seems contradictory to the nature of their religion if this person is calling themselves a hater. Certainly Jesus didn't hate either. I am not religious, but I do believe in being a good person, since what we do will reflect our world.
Instead of fearing others based on our beliefs, we will need to be able to trust others and in this way accept our differences. I do not think religion is a bad thing, but when it is driven from fear to do good, instead of the joy of life to do good, then it is morally corrupt. This corruption materializes into emotions of hate and anger, which in turn reflect our actions. If we are not able to give the world openness and compassion we are most likely going to fail. Our greed will rape our planet, and in the fires of our intolerance and ignorance, we will fall. This will only happen if we continue to hate. Our assimilation by the media and religious affiliations has caused many of citizens the world over into close mindedness that does not embrace all of humanity. Until this realization that assimilation creates our reality and no one's reality is more valid than the other, then no one will take responsible action for all. Until people take responsible action for all, there cannot be a neutral-state where we can address our secular problems.
