Re: Is religion antithetical to democracy [formerly: Are Islam and Democracy Incompatible?]

"Elroy Willis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> David H Li <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in alt.atheism
>
> <snip>
>
> > On reading this proclamation [from the pope, prohibiting Chinese
Christians
> > from paying respects to Confucius], I can only conclude that the
Westerners
> > are small minded.  How can they talk about the great ideas of China?
>
> What's the general view of the Pope in China these days?  Do most of
> the people in China think the Pope speaks for all of western
> Christianity?  Do they think Bush speaks for protestant Christianity,
> or do they even know the difference?

Sounds to me like you're simply trying to antagonize David. I do not,
however, see any relevance in your questions to the issues he was
discussing.
>
> > No Westerners [who presented themselves on behalf of the pope]
> > understands Chinese books, and when they discuss them, our people
> > find many of their remarks ridiculous.  Now I have seen the Legation's
> > proclamation, and it is just the same as Buddhist and Taoist heresies
> > and superstitutions.
>
> Which of the current popular religions aren't really superstitions in
> your opinion?

Sounds like more baiting, like you're going to jump on him if he picks your
particular favorite myth.
>
> > I have never seen such nonsense as this.  Henceforth no Westerner may
> > propagate his [missionaries at that time, all Catholics, were invariably
male]
> > religion in China.  It should be prohibited in order to avoid more
trouble.
>
> Where does West start in your opinion?

Does his opinion matter? The term has general acceptance from a world
perspective. Just look at a world history book or two.

>  Is there some specific
> dividing line, geographically, that you consider West, or is it a set
> of particular beliefs which include Christianity?  For example, I am
> an atheist living in Texas.  Do you still consider me a westerner?

I would suspect so, and were one of Asian upbringing to look at your
lifestyle and your opinions and actions in detail, they would easily see the
influence of the Christian west, even if you don't consider yourself
Christian. I'm in the same position (though agnostic, rather than atheist),
but had a Japanese exchange student point out a whole lot of interesting
correlations.

> What if I was Buddhist living in Texas?  Would I be a westerner
> or an easterner?  What do you base the word "Westerner" on when
> you use it?

If your sig line is evidence of journalistic pursuits, you should know full
well the generally accepted world definition of "Westerner" and "The West"
(no, not the eastern U.S. definition).
>
> -- 
> Elroy Willis
> EAP Chief Editor and Newshound
> http://web2.airmail.net/~elo/news