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Show NIHILISM Sebastian M. / HEX Writer I am a nihilist Nihilism is a lovely way of viewing the world: one believes in nothing. In short, I will deny nothing, but am inclined to question everything. Let me explain. The only modes of perception we have are incongruous with reality, which is occasionally qualified objectively by something like relativity, or quantum mechanics. But since no human perception can detect existence as it objectively is, why not just believe in nothing? You see, it is only by believing in nothing that one makes an abyss: inside this abyss, one has the ability to create anything he or she wants Think of it as a cave with no sounds: shout into it and your voice will echo, filling the cave as you Believing in nothing allows one to create meaning, be an author of reality, and readily move one's philosophy. It creates true relativity. Relativism will almost always improve life. If it were not for moral relativism, then the priggish racism of our forefathers would still have African Americans enslaved, women would have no vote, and gay marriage would still be banned in every state. Relativism might also allow for the politicians in the world to entertain a mote of understanding for the opposing viewpoint. Relativism, like all great things, tends toward inherent self-correction. What You Believe: An Article of Averages* Charles Allen / HEX Writer You probably believe in god and you see him as a male figure. It is likely you consider yourself Christian and have a specific religious affiliation. You pray at least once in a while, but the more educated you become and the more money you make the less likely you are to believe in god. Women You believe in an engaged god who is a being that is involved in your life and the world around you. Your god will help you make decisions and influences important world events. You may consider your god to be benevolent; a being who is slow to punish or condemn. However, you are a little more likely to feel your god is angry and likely to take action against you for disobedience. Your beliefs tend to motivate certain behaviors and values. You likely attend church, pray regularly and read your scriptures. To be a good person you feel it is important to serve the sick and the needy and to stay chaste. Men Your beliefs are not as easy to peg. Like women, you are most likely to believe in an authoritarian god; the god who isn't too pleased with your disobedience. However, you are just as likely to see your god as distant, uninvolved and disinterested. You are nearly three times more likely than woman to be an atheist. Believing in a god who is less engaged in your life influences how you worship him and what you value. You are less likely to attend church, pray or read scripture, and you aren't as sure that it's important to remain chaste or that you need to help the needy to be a good person. This article is based on the findings of the Baylor piety study on the ways Americans approach religion. The report illustrates how our view of god influences the way we interact with the world. Perhaps the study doesn't accurately capture how you personally feel about god, but it should help you realize that the person sitting next to you at church may experience god in a completely different way than you. *American Piety in the 21st Century: New Insights to the Depth and Complexity of Religion in the US. Select Findings from the Baylor Religion Study. September 2006, Baylor University, Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion |