We STILL need a philosophy forum

I didn't see the quotation as being anti-religion. I saw it more as a caution against defining oneself primarily in terms of extrinsic
categorisations. We are not born Christian, Muslim, English, African, etc., etc. We only acquire these labels through learning from others that we are part of the group that defines itself in that way.

I think he's suggesting that as soon as we define ourselves in terms of one particular group, rather than just as a human being, those who are defined differently, immediately become "the other" and that is where conflict arises.

Easier said than done though.

I do enjoy thinking but most of my thoughts would probably be considered ridiculous by others, so I would not venture them on here as a possible subject for philosophical discussion.

I have found plenty of comments of yours, which presumably reflect your thoughts, far from ridiculous, roseq. Don't do your thinking down!

Seconded.

I think that's what he's saying too, eloethan. I think the danger of that feeling of otherness that you mention might be minimised just by our being aware of the dangers of over-categorising.

Which is not to say that one's country of origin, for example, is of no interest, only that it isn't necessarily important when considering things that affect all human beings.

Thankyou, but probably practical thoughts not philosophical ones.

I don't agree with the quote. To stick a few defining labels on oneself is not 'violent' in that it does not necessarily mean a separation from the rest of humanity.

I think of humanity as a big cake. I am one of the ingredients in the cake. There are others who are the same ingredient as I am and yet others who are different ingredients. There are many different ingredients but we are all united in the creation of the cake.

Oh, I forgot to say

I love philosophy.

Violent is certainly a strong word. Something like separatist might have worked better. I like your cake analogy, petallus. I shall ponder further on it as I drift to sleep tonight, possibly in my sleep as well!

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Discuss, with due reference to the meaning of 'your'?

We cannot discuss that of which we have never heard.

When I switch off my computer tonight, will Gransnet still exist?

If you carry on thinking about it it will. Cogito, ergo GN est?

Does it exist at all in a physical sense?

It has a cyber existence, but I am not sure that GN is a Ding an sich as. Kant would have envisaged one.

Do I exist? Or am I really a 6' builder with a paunch called Bert?

I'm sorry to have to break this to you grumppa but not everyone on GN understands Latin.

Anyhow, how do I know the whole GN thing isn't just a dream I'm having.

That's why I switched to German.

Dream or nightmare?

So you did grumppa but that isn't much help either.

Definitely a dream but one that gets a bit on the feverish side sometimes.

Anyway, you are all going to disappear now because I'm switching off.

janerowena why have you called your paunch Bert? I call mine Arthur.

Sorry, that was one for Pedants' Corner!

Who wears pretty ballerina pumps and makes great jam!
For all I know you could be bert, janer

Or perhaps you do both those things virtually.

Does being a Christian, Muslim or of any religion mean that, by definition, a person is violent? I don't think so, it should, if followed absolutely, mean that person loves their neighbour of whatever creed or colour. It is fear that makes people hate and consequently violent.

I can still read your thoughts, petallus even if you think you are not still here. So you can't disappear! Even when you are asleep.

Oh, we have disappeared, not petallus.

Quite right, rosequartz. And when I describe myself as a European, to take one of Krishnamurti's examples, I am not separating myself from the rest of mankind; I am identifying myself within a (probably temporary in the scheme of things) category of mankind with no thought of violence towards any other category. Indeed, I can identify myself within so many categories - atheist, male, Anglo-Welsh, British, Londoner, Oxbridge educated, etc.etc. that if Km is correct I must be in danger of being violent towards myself.