Objectivism & Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is, by tradition, given to a being that Objectivists say either does not exist or is unnecessary. Hence I am curious how, if at all, Objectivists deal with Thanksgiving. When responding, for clarity to those reading this thread, identify yourself as either atheist, agnostic, or deist. As for myself, I cannot rationally conclude that this universe is not the product of a rational mind. There is way too much that would be inexplicable.
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We also celebrate people going off to live life deliberately. If they want follow religion, the FSM, or other stuff I think is not backed up by evidence, it's their life to fly their freak flag. It's usually the freaks who most people reject that move society and production forward.
Your last sentence seems to be missing a word, but as I understand it, you only open the door to paralytic agnosticism: you cannot know everything, therefore you know nothing.
Have you ever taken a lightbulb apart? or a refrigerator ... I am so thankful...
I haven't given thank's to a higher being for longer than I can remember, but when I was a kid... Now I am atheostic... :) I have no opinion because I have no evidence or experience upon which to form one with conviction. Anyway, I still give thank's, but it is for/to my good fortune and all who have been of assistance along the way and to all of my friends and family for their support and companionship.
For your Thanksgiving listening pleasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gz...
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
O.A.
Arguably, the celebration of thanksgiving goes back at least to the seder meal of the Israelites on the night before their liberation from Egypt, perhaps further.
I do have a question for you. When you say that something that does not line up with your logical mind (reasoning process), do you mean that it is unreasonable, or just that it is beyond your ability to reason?
I am asking because I have encountered some who say that if they cannot reason it, then it is unreasonable, which implies it is irrational; however, one man's rationality is another's irrationality right? The fallacy in this reasoning process is that it ignores all the information available for complete reasoning because non-anthropogenic existence, and I would venture to say even anthropogenic existence, understanding would require omniscience, which is impossible in Objectivism.
Makes me wonder if America would be better off if it was still that way. Just saying.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/O...
Here is the key quote from the article...
"Ayn Rand described Thanksgiving as 'a typically American holiday' whose 'essential, secular meaning is a celebration of successful production. It is a producers' holiday. The lavish meal is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production.' She was right."
But giving thanks for my health and the health and well being of my family and friends is what it is all about to me. While much of what we do can be derived from our own actions including much of our health, to live a long healthy life, free from major issues or accidents seems simply lucky... or...what??
I am neither atheist, nor agnostic, nor deist insofar as no one whose works I have read has proven whether the universe was created or has always existed. Have you read of any such proof?