>I can imagine your response if somebody even hinted at such impure motives by >an atheist. No matter, you have come up with a reason for a religious person >to do it. So we can both see why a religious person might do it. Agreement! >Can we also agree that an atheist has no need to fear such punishment. Which >seems to lead to an inevitable question... why would they do it?

Ok John, you've actually reached a destination with your question so please don't turn back now...

The answer is based on one's choice (consious or not) of referencing either creedo or libido. Don't turn back now either please...

Reference by creedo is a choice to link yourself to an external system. Reference by libido is a choice to link yourself to an internal system. Stay with me...

The two choices are not mutually exclusive. Referencing an external system -- a religion, for example -- if done genuinely will ultimately reveal itself as, TaDa!, a system of references. IOW, the "mythology" of the system becomes 'true' in that it is metaphorical of something beyond our temporal experience. Really. Referencing in internal system -- namely, the 'libido' or impulse system, 'body wisdom' -- if done genuinely will ultimately reveal itself as a product of an mystery to be respected and awed. < Type your God's name here >

Ack! This is coming out terribly. The human 'why' question, while valid, does not suspend life from flowing as it is until answered. Humans will love and be moral absolutely regardless of a 'why'. These are innate charachteristics that function whether ones of us can convince others of us that there is some reason. 'Why' is a good question but the answer won't wag the dog. Or the god. And it's the adult version of the childhood question 'why is the sky blue?'. The kid usually wasn't satified with tech answers about wavelengths of light OR being told God made it so. 'Why' in this sence is the effort to link in some way with an understanding of all things and our place in them. "Religio" means re-linking.

Human consiousness is given order by story. Who's the author? Someone else's stories? (Creedo) Your own stories? (Libido) And the ultimate question is: does it matter to the job market in Souther California?


heh-heh Have a nice trip,
Steven-