Ferrall writes:
> Why do YOU want to follow the priests, imams, rabbis --
and dalai lamas -- and ensnare people in the superstitious,
anti-women, feudalistic slavery of religion, in the service of
subservience to the bourgeoise social structure and in the
interests of the ruling class?
When did I post that I wanted to follow any of the above? As I have posted before, I am not fan of the Dalai Lama.
Why do you consider a rational, empirical doctrine to be superstitious? Do you consider rational investigation to be superstition in disguise? (I am assuming that you are distinguishing between Buddhist doctrine and the ornamentation that has been added over the centuries).
> Humans will be liberated through the creation of abundance in a world
economy planned rationally -- not through self-denial, obscurantism and
boot-licking.
I agree. That is what is wonderful about Buddhist economics -- it is based on rationality and not craving. As for obscurantism, Buddha's teachings are no more obscure than Marx, and since Marx seems to have appropriated many of the Buddha's concepts/ideas, there should be little problem in understanding him. As for boot licking: alas the Mineshaft closed many years ago, but for the lucky memories remain.
> (Brother Mage made very important contributions toward this end only a
few decades ago.)
The only recent contribution I have been witness to is his belief that a vote is a gesture capable of being universally understood -- talk about supersitition LOL.
When I google on his name, he seems to have written a famous disertation at Columbia and something about Cuba (will the left ever get tired of that homophobe and AIDSphobe Castro?) and been part of the RT or Spartacist League or something or other -- the various divorces and reformations are hard to follow. The Spartacist League seems like a good group since it supported a NAMBLA member and encouraged male members to sleep with each other. Cool beans!).
An interview I found with somebody named Geoff White says Brother Mage had a sharp mind and provided a lot of theoretical material.
> Getting a cheap, high-quality big-screen TV into everyone's home may not be
a high priority in a world where billions lack adequate nutrition, housing,
education, healthcare and employment -- but it will a marginally good thing
not a bad thing.
Really? And how much exploitation is required to get this cheap, high-quality big-screen TV into everyone's home? Also, is this TV more important than a dildo? LOL.
> Richard Gere and you and your buddies can go live on some island and perfect
yourselves through nothingness. Just don't spam the rest of us, who need to
get by in the material world.
I need to get by in the material world as well. Why do you believe that those people who do not share your consumerist fetishes should be exiled? What would help me (since you brought up the subject) is if people like yourself could be less materialistic and consumer-driven, and gain a more realistic understanding of the workings of desire in the materialist world.
As for spam, that is what delete keys are for.
Brian Dauth Queer Buddhist Resister