Reply to: The real problem with Western society...

[Gonzo]

To an extent, religions start out as practical, they are formalisation of working rules for the tribe but they get locked into history and twisted to suit the purposes of the rulers. For example, a subordinate role of women made perfect sense in a more brutal world where physical prowess was of far greater importance, it doesn't anymore.

Indeed.

The example that I like to give for the same idea is that wearing clothes that completely cover the skin is a very good idea if you live in a country where the sun shines all day every day.

[norrahe]

It is a mistake to think that only religion gives people a sense of purpose. Both China and Japan show that strong secular cultural traditions, without religious foundation, work very well.

Though Chinese and Japanese cultures do not have the subserviant idealism of religion that western cultures have adopted.

Their religion is part of their way of life without becoming the obstructive media that westernised religion has become if one lets it.

Christianity for some will often dictate the way they live and react (ref: catholicism, and for the record I have seen that in action in Ireland, in the way the Bishops have manipulated certain political votes via the pulpit in the past)

For may eastern religions, as a friend once said to me (he is Hindu) these are guidelines but our path is not dictated to us.

[xoggoth]

I think your earlier views on religion were right. We need society based on rational assessements of what works and religious belief is only an impediment, it is a waste of the human intellect.

To an extent, religions start out as practical, they are formalisation of working rules for the tribe but they get locked into history and twisted to suit the purposes of the rulers. For example, a subordinate role of women made perfect sense in a more brutal world where physical prowess was of far greater importance, it doesn't anymore.

It is a mistake to think that only religion gives people a sense of purpose. Both China and Japan show that strong secular cultural traditions, without religious foundation, work very well.

On bankers, I find yet again that one of the most sensible arguments was in The Gaurdian, I must be going senile.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-budget-report

[norrahe]

Don't start yawning. It's catching.

YAWN

The rest is silence

[moorfield]

Yawn...

Don't start yawning. It's catching.

[conned tractor]

Are you sure you are a contractor?

May be an agent.

[Gonzo]

The real problem with Western society, and which could ultimately cause it's destruction, is greed & selfishness. This obsession with acumulating as much material wealth as possible, that so many people are now hooked on, is like a cancer eating away at society. We have become single minded, one-dimensional wealth-junkies, desperately trying to accumulate more than our neighbour. I was caught up in this myself for at least until the age of 30.

People are so identified with what make & model of car they drive, or how big their house is, or how posh their neighbourhood is, that they are driven to desperately try to get more money to buy a flashier car/bigger house/move to a posher neighbourhood. One wonders what will happen to their sense of identity when the full effects of this credit crunch are finally felt, and they lose said posh car/big house/posh neighbourhood. The party can't last forever. Sooner or later the bill will have to be paid by someone.

I think we have forgotton what matters in life. Sitting around counting your money, gloating over a bank statement with loads of zeros (& hopfully at least a '1' or greater digit in front of it!) is not fun. Fun comes from hanging out with friends, playing sport, watching films, enjoying music, discovering new places, being creative etc.

Are you sure you are a contractor?

[gingerjedi]

Feck me, how long does it take for the average person to realise what capitalism is all about? I'd image most people on here worked it out in their teens.

Some people are born to ride and some are born to be ridden, get over it.

[conned tractor]

You've got a good few points there. However, trying to change anyone's opinion on a forum is a bit of a waste of time. I'm sure you'll noticed that quite a number of people here are already clued up. Anyway, must be better things to do than post here. Which reminds me, it's time for the pub...

I agree with this fella. You do make some good points generally, but not for this audience.

[Doggy Styles]

I can't read all that shit. My shit says the problem is overcrowding. There, a lot less words.

[swamp]

I've had some expensive cars and some real cheap ones. I think overall I enjoyed the sheds more.

[minestrone]

The real problem with Western society, and which could ultimately cause it's destruction, is greed & selfishness. This obsession with acumulating as much material wealth as possible, that so many people are now hooked on, is like a cancer eating away at society. We have become single minded, one-dimensional wealth-junkies, desperately trying to accumulate more than our neighbour. I was caught up in this myself for at least until the age of 30.

Dog's Heinous
Dropping pearls of wisdom like confetti

1/10

You get a mark for someone starting a thread about you.

[The_Equalizer]

You've got a good few points there. However, trying to change anyone's opinion on a forum is a bit of a waste of time. I'm sure you'll noticed that quite a number of people here are already clued up. Anyway, must be better things to do than post here. Which reminds me, it's time for the pub...

[Spacecadet]

The real problem with the western culture is ***** like you with an over inflated sense of importance speaking for the so called silent majority
Wish you would stay ******* silent

[RichardCranium]

The spelling & grammar response

Just to get it over and done with so your arguments can be responded to without distraction:

The real problems with Western society, and which could ultimately cause its destruction, are greed & selfishness. This obsession with accumulating as much material wealth as possible, that so many people are now hooked on, is like a cancer eating away at society. We have become single minded, one-dimensional wealth-junkies, desperately trying to accumulate more than our neighbour. I was caught up in this myself for at least until the age of 30.

People are so identified with what make & model of car they drive, or how big their house is, or how posh their neighbourhood is, that they are driven to desperately try to get more money to buy a flashier car/bigger house/move to a posher neighbourhood. One wonders what will happen to their sense of identity when the full effects of this credit crunch are finally felt and they lose said posh car/big house/posh neighbourhood. The party can't last forever. Sooner or later the bill will have to be paid by someone.

I think we have forgotten what matters in life. Sitting around counting your money, gloating over a bank statement with loads of zeroes (& hopefully at least a '1' or greater digit in front of it!) is not fun. Fun comes from hanging out with friends, playing sport, watching films, enjoying music, discovering new places, being creative etc.

When I think of this subject I think of the kids who want to be gangsters. They think they are getting "Respect" by carrying a gun or knife around. They are wrong. People cross the street to avoid them due to fear, not due to respect. Gangster rap is a bad influence on our society.

Our society has become selfish, with so many people too caught up in their obsessive quest for material wealth that they've forgotten how to have fun and build strong relationships (family, friends). This is manifest in the culture of long hours, and this pathetic obsession that companies have with "increasing shareholder value year-on-year" and "increasing profits year-on-year".

The rest is fine.