Mike E,
    Michael Edison (Chemist/philosopher), ][<en follett (the writer)....
Mike, I like your analysis, although I am not sure how manipulative the
Easter Bunny is, or for what reason.  I always figured it was a heck of alot
of sweets free and poorly hidden.  And it was a good lesson in controlling
greed and being fair to the younger ones.
    My religious wanderings have developed my agnostic and pseudo scientific
view of life.  I have a great respect for the healing power of God for those
that believe.  I have reverence for the many "primitive/Pagan" religions of
the third world.  In both cases as a practical matter:  "If enough people
believe, then it is true".

Hop Alongitude Kid

 ----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 5:54 PM
Subject: Re: God, Bang & Easter Bunny


> In a message dated 3/23/01 7:18:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> << What is wrong with letting
>  those with less knowledge believe something is authentic that to an
expert
>  may not be?  After all that expert may be enjoying some beliefs that are
>  false as well.  Is the belief in The Big Bang Theory or God more
defensible
>  than the belief in the Easter Bunny? >>
>
> A serious question worthy of a serious answer.
>
> Big Bang: I struggled to read History of Time and having understood around
5
> or 8% of it, can only conclude that the Big Bang is irrelevant because it
> does not serve any useful purpose in defining the laws of the universe as
we
> currently experience them.
>
> God: Too controversial with insufficient data to permit the formation of
> reliable conclusions. Interesting, though, with the potential for both
> wonderful and horrifying ramifications.
>
> Easter Bunny: I dislike manipulative fables as a rule.
>
> There is some knowledge that there is no point in sharing. Harmless
illusions
> need not be debunked, particularly if they provide comfort or have
personal
> meaning to the person harboring the illusion. Other illusions are
dangerous
> and need to be challenged by those with greater knowledge. In the reality
> that includes the nuts and bolts of what we all do for a living, there are
> some strange perceptions that lead to some very real consequences. Shame
on
> the knowledgeable person who doesn't speak up!
>
> Mike E.
>