- Anything Else -

Name calling...

Posted by: Stuart Gort ( USA ) on April 08, 1999 at 13:29:34:

In Reply to: Back to you posted by Kevin Dempsey on April 06, 1999 at 10:58:36:

: Superiority is yours to define Stuart, unless you concede that you and others like yourself (for example: human, heterosexual, christian, meat-eater, american, capitalist,

Yes.

anti-environmentalist, feminist-backlasher, pro-greed, over-consumer, american dreamer)

Kevin, backed into a corner and sputtering.

are NOT superior to others (for example: whales, gay christian men, gay non-christian women, environmentalists, atheist vegans, pigs, mosquitos, oak trees, and russian feminists.)

Kevin lumping atheist vegans and pigs together.

: Are you no "better" than they? If you are, then tell me what it means to be better than (superior to) them, because I do not know, because I do not consider myself better or superior.

Kevin not defining a word because it requires a judgment.

: The reason I brought it up is because your posts in these rooms led me to believe you thought hierarchically, and that you considered certain types of beings better than others. I'm pretty sure I'm not wrong on this. (Please oh please give me a straightforward answer.)

Yes, Kevin. Sister Teresa was infinitely better, superior, more enlightened, and worth more than Charles Manson (to humanity - not God). But Charles Manson has a soul, making him worth more than any animal. I think hierarchically.

: Again, I cannot define superiority, as I do not feel superior. Your accusations that I consider myself superior because of my beliefs and practices are unfair. I have never claimed superiority.

You don't have to... it's manifested in your opinions and the sanctimonious way you deliver them.

:: I argue that certain ways of treating and respecting others are more fair and less hurtful, and I argue that it is important to open one's mind to new possibilities and to not be selfish and greedy. Just because I try to do these things does not mean I am perfect and it does not mean I am superior.

Kevin, inasmuch as you don't allow the use of the word "superior" because it is, after all, a human construct, I don't allow "selfish", "greedy", or "respect", they being human constructs as well. The lion never "respects" the lamb or attenuates his "greed" or "selfishness".

These words you used dennote a moral judgement but that doesn't stop you from voicing your opinion. I believe my morality is superior to yours and I don't cower from saying so. I also call you close-minded for not admitting that your scorn and derision is delivered with a sense of superiority. I don't mind derision one bit. What scalds me is when you do it and then claim you make no moral judgment in doing it.

That's nonsense.

Stuart Gort


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