Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Sushan]

This topic is about the April 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, 2X2 on the Ark: Five Secrets of a Great Relationship by Mary J Giuffra, PhD

As Noah set sail on the ark with his wife and two animals of every kind, did he wonder what he needed to learn from all those animals aboard? Clearly the animals had done a far better job connecting and living peacefully with others of their species than humans had. Did animals have instinctive knowledge that humans needed to learn? Have we learned it yet? For one thing, animals live in the present. If Dr. Doolittle is any judge, they live quite peaceably in their animal kingdom. Within the tight space of that crowded ark, did the animals aboard instinctively know how to carve out space for themselves?

(Location 189 - Kindle version)


Many of us (Christians or non-Christians) have heard the biblical story of Noah's ark. While many people have tried to interpret biblical stories in different ways, this author has used this particular story to explain the essentials to have a good relationship with one's partner.

Is this story really meant to teach people how to be in harmony with each other? Have we learned that lesson?

[Sculptor1]

It might be instructive to note that this book has precisely five reviews on Amazon all of them five star.
It is warming to learn that the author, has at least five friends.

Given the hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships its a wonder that anyone thinks that the Noah story would lend any credibility to a book proportion to be about relationships.

[LuckyR]

Well, many if not most cultures contain a flood story. Thus the Noah story is less about religion and more universally human. To my ear the story is less about the events on the ark (the harmonious coexistence lesson) and more about wiping the slate clean and starting over with the righteous.

[Sushan]

It might be instructive to note that this book has precisely five reviews on Amazon all of them five star.
It is warming to learn that the author, has at least five friends.

Given the hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships its a wonder that anyone thinks that the Noah story would lend any credibility to a book proportion to be about relationships.

Since people (and rulers) have mixed politics with religion and religious matters, what you have said about "hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships" is proven true throughout the history. But we cannot totally forget that the religion itself has advices and amendments rregarding relationships, like loving your neighbour.

[Sushan]

Well, many if not most cultures contain a flood story. Thus the Noah story is less about religion and more universally human. To my ear the story is less about the events on the ark (the harmonious coexistence lesson) and more about wiping the slate clean and starting over with the righteous.

I agree. The plot has skipped the interior of the vessel and the lives of the animals in the period of flood. What we only see is all of them coming out happily to make the world again with a new beginning.

[Sculptor1]

It might be instructive to note that this book has precisely five reviews on Amazon all of them five star.
It is warming to learn that the author, has at least five friends.

Given the hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships its a wonder that anyone thinks that the Noah story would lend any credibility to a book proportion to be about relationships.

Since people (and rulers) have mixed politics with religion and religious matters, what you have said about "hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships" is proven true throughout the history. But we cannot totally forget that the religion itself has advices and amendments regarding relationships, like loving your neighbour.

A rather hopeless and empty apology. There is no "religion in-itself". Where-ever it is leads to dogma, and dogma cannot serve the varying needs of all people. People are much happier now to have the flexibility to avoid marriage, and end unhappy marriages more easily. To do this has meant ignoring the church advice.

In the UK where the church is enmeshed in the state religion is at an all time low, with falling attendance, closing churches and growing atheism. People are more free to get on with their lives without the chains of marriage and proscriptions on divorce placed by the church.

In the US where the church is divided from the state we have unbridled idiocy, fundamentalism and a religious free fall of absurdities where religious bigotry and racism can thrive. Where Catholicism has a stranglehold we have babies buried in unmarked graves, pathological population rise, misery through poverty and choir boys buggered.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

[JackDaydream]

[sub][/sub]

This topic is about the April 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, 2X2 on the Ark: Five Secrets of a Great Relationship by Mary J Giuffra, PhD

As Noah set sail on the ark with his wife and two animals of every kind, did he wonder what he needed to learn from all those animals aboard? Clearly the animals had done a far better job connecting and living peacefully with others of their species than humans had. Did animals have instinctive knowledge that humans needed to learn? Have we learned it yet? For one thing, animals live in the present. If Dr. Doolittle is any judge, they live quite peaceably in their animal kingdom. Within the tight space of that crowded ark, did the animals aboard instinctively know how to carve out space for themselves?

(Location 189 - Kindle version)


Many of us (Christians or non-Christians) have heard the biblical story of Noah's ark. While many people have tried to interpret biblical stories in different ways, this author has used this particular story to explain the essentials to have a good relationship with one's partner.

Is this story really meant to teach people how to be in harmony with each other? Have we learned that lesson?

Human relationships are complicated, especially finding the 'perfect partner'. Many wish to find one and the relationship to endure but things often become messy. The story of pairs in the story of Noah's ark may represent an ideal. In some ways, the ideal may make it harder to live with the imperfections of a human relationships. It can even lead to a sense of a 'divinely' soul mate to be found. Finding this person can be a hard process as there are so many in the world. Many are starting to look online and it may because we are in a sea of people.

We pass people in the street and may never ever see them again. A person may feel attracted to someone but what can they do about it? Sometimes, there are certain moments where people seem to meet almost like they are destined to be. I know someone who met his partner for the first time when he was walking in a common and she fell. She was 15 and he was 22. They are married now. I think that bus stops are starting to become the new meeting places, because it is where people seem to chat. But, the perfect partner may not use busses and many may wait in vain to meet this person, especially spending time alone on digital devices.

[Sushan]

It might be instructive to note that this book has precisely five reviews on Amazon all of them five star.
It is warming to learn that the author, has at least five friends.

Given the hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships its a wonder that anyone thinks that the Noah story would lend any credibility to a book proportion to be about relationships.

Since people (and rulers) have mixed politics with religion and religious matters, what you have said about "hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships" is proven true throughout the history. But we cannot totally forget that the religion itself has advices and amendments regarding relationships, like loving your neighbour.

A rather hopeless and empty apology. There is no "religion in-itself". Where-ever it is leads to dogma, and dogma cannot serve the varying needs of all people. People are much happier now to have the flexibility to avoid marriage, and end unhappy marriages more easily. To do this has meant ignoring the church advice.

In the UK where the church is enmeshed in the state religion is at an all time low, with falling attendance, closing churches and growing atheism. People are more free to get on with their lives without the chains of marriage and proscriptions on divorce placed by the church.

In the US where the church is divided from the state we have unbridled idiocy, fundamentalism and a religious free fall of absurdities where religious bigotry and racism can thrive. Where Catholicism has a stranglehold we have babies buried in unmarked graves, pathological population rise, misery through poverty and choir boys buggered.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

There is corruption in every field, and it is common to religions as well. I am not saying all priests are saints. But at the same time I am not saying all priests are thieves or liers. Yes, religion has a significant impact, which can be negative at times, over human life. But that does not mean the fault always lies with religions and religious matters in issues which occur due to lack of skills in inter personal relationships.

Regarding loving thy neighbour, so seemingly Jesus has told to love the neighbour, but Jews have chosen to categorize that neighbour using the race. So who is actually at fault?

[Sushan]

[sub][/sub]

This topic is about the April 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, 2X2 on the Ark: Five Secrets of a Great Relationship by Mary J Giuffra, PhD

As Noah set sail on the ark with his wife and two animals of every kind, did he wonder what he needed to learn from all those animals aboard? Clearly the animals had done a far better job connecting and living peacefully with others of their species than humans had. Did animals have instinctive knowledge that humans needed to learn? Have we learned it yet? For one thing, animals live in the present. If Dr. Doolittle is any judge, they live quite peaceably in their animal kingdom. Within the tight space of that crowded ark, did the animals aboard instinctively know how to carve out space for themselves?

(Location 189 - Kindle version)


Many of us (Christians or non-Christians) have heard the biblical story of Noah's ark. While many people have tried to interpret biblical stories in different ways, this author has used this particular story to explain the essentials to have a good relationship with one's partner.

Is this story really meant to teach people how to be in harmony with each other? Have we learned that lesson?

Human relationships are complicated, especially finding the 'perfect partner'. Many wish to find one and the relationship to endure but things often become messy. The story of pairs in the story of Noah's ark may represent an ideal. In some ways, the ideal may make it harder to live with the imperfections of a human relationships. It can even lead to a sense of a 'divinely' soul mate to be found. Finding this person can be a hard process as there are so many in the world. Many are starting to look online and it may because we are in a sea of people.

We pass people in the street and may never ever see them again. A person may feel attracted to someone but what can they do about it? Sometimes, there are certain moments where people seem to meet almost like they are destined to be. I know someone who met his partner for the first time when he was walking in a common and she fell. She was 15 and he was 22. They are married now. I think that bus stops are starting to become the new meeting places, because it is where people seem to chat. But, the perfect partner may not use busses and many may wait in vain to meet this person, especially spending time alone on digital devices.

I think the concepts like perfect partner or soulmate are mythical ideas. We all have our differences. If we think about this scientifically all the perfect relationships should be found within our families since we are genetically related. Still we see how many families have internal disputes and disagreements, even between siblings who share same genes. If even genes cannot match you perfectly how can the other factors do the same thing?

[Sculptor1]

It might be instructive to note that this book has precisely five reviews on Amazon all of them five star.
It is warming to learn that the author, has at least five friends.

Given the hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships its a wonder that anyone thinks that the Noah story would lend any credibility to a book proportion to be about relationships.

Since people (and rulers) have mixed politics with religion and religious matters, what you have said about "hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships" is proven true throughout the history. But we cannot totally forget that the religion itself has advices and amendments regarding relationships, like loving your neighbour.

A rather hopeless and empty apology. There is no "religion in-itself". Where-ever it is leads to dogma, and dogma cannot serve the varying needs of all people. People are much happier now to have the flexibility to avoid marriage, and end unhappy marriages more easily. To do this has meant ignoring the church advice.

In the UK where the church is enmeshed in the state religion is at an all time low, with falling attendance, closing churches and growing atheism. People are more free to get on with their lives without the chains of marriage and proscriptions on divorce placed by the church.

In the US where the church is divided from the state we have unbridled idiocy, fundamentalism and a religious free fall of absurdities where religious bigotry and racism can thrive. Where Catholicism has a stranglehold we have babies buried in unmarked graves, pathological population rise, misery through poverty and choir boys buggered.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

There is corruption in every field, and it is common to religions as well. I am not saying all priests are saints. But at the same time I am not saying all priests are thieves or liers. Yes, religion has a significant impact, which can be negative at times, over human life. But that does not mean the fault always lies with religions and religious matters in issues which occur due to lack of skills in inter personal relationships.

Regarding loving thy neighbour, so seemingly Jesus has told to love the neighbour, but Jews have chosen to categorize that neighbour using the race. So who is actually at fault?

Religion poisons everything.

[EricPH]

I think the concepts like perfect partner or soulmate are mythical ideas. We all have our differences.

Of course there are many different paths, but I think religion tries to spell out a greater good path. One man, one woman in a loving relationship until death do us part, especially where children are involved.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

This was a problem at the time of Jesus, when the Jewish expert in the law asked, Who is my neighbour? Jesus gave us the parable of the Good Samaritan. This made the religious Jews out to be the bad guys, and the evil Samaritans the good guys. The teachings are right even if we don't follow them.

[Sculptor1]

I think the concepts like perfect partner or soulmate are mythical ideas. We all have our differences.

Of course there are many different paths, but I think religion tries to spell out a greater good path. One man, one woman in a loving relationship until death do us part, especially where children are involved.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

This was a problem at the time of Jesus, when the Jewish expert in the law asked, Who is my neighbour? Jesus gave us the parable of the Good Samaritan. This made the religious Jews out to be the bad guys, and the evil Samaritans the good guys. The teachings are right even if we don't follow them.

You are not making sense. But then neither does your religion so I suppose I am expecting to much.

[Sushan]

Since people (and rulers) have mixed politics with religion and religious matters, what you have said about "hopeless mess that The judaeo-christian religion has made of relationships" is proven true throughout the history. But we cannot totally forget that the religion itself has advices and amendments regarding relationships, like loving your neighbour.

A rather hopeless and empty apology. There is no "religion in-itself". Where-ever it is leads to dogma, and dogma cannot serve the varying needs of all people. People are much happier now to have the flexibility to avoid marriage, and end unhappy marriages more easily. To do this has meant ignoring the church advice.

In the UK where the church is enmeshed in the state religion is at an all time low, with falling attendance, closing churches and growing atheism. People are more free to get on with their lives without the chains of marriage and proscriptions on divorce placed by the church.

In the US where the church is divided from the state we have unbridled idiocy, fundamentalism and a religious free fall of absurdities where religious bigotry and racism can thrive. Where Catholicism has a stranglehold we have babies buried in unmarked graves, pathological population rise, misery through poverty and choir boys buggered.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

There is corruption in every field, and it is common to religions as well. I am not saying all priests are saints. But at the same time I am not saying all priests are thieves or liers. Yes, religion has a significant impact, which can be negative at times, over human life. But that does not mean the fault always lies with religions and religious matters in issues which occur due to lack of skills in inter personal relationships.

Regarding loving thy neighbour, so seemingly Jesus has told to love the neighbour, but Jews have chosen to categorize that neighbour using the race. So who is actually at fault?

Religion poisons everything.

Religions and religious teachings are manipulated by religious leaders. Ultimately the religions are not made by Gods or prophets but the corrupted (or maybe not) religious leaders. So it is thier teachings that poison everything. So ultimately it appears like religions poison everything.

[Sculptor1]

A rather hopeless and empty apology. There is no "religion in-itself". Where-ever it is leads to dogma, and dogma cannot serve the varying needs of all people. People are much happier now to have the flexibility to avoid marriage, and end unhappy marriages more easily. To do this has meant ignoring the church advice.

In the UK where the church is enmeshed in the state religion is at an all time low, with falling attendance, closing churches and growing atheism. People are more free to get on with their lives without the chains of marriage and proscriptions on divorce placed by the church.

In the US where the church is divided from the state we have unbridled idiocy, fundamentalism and a religious free fall of absurdities where religious bigotry and racism can thrive. Where Catholicism has a stranglehold we have babies buried in unmarked graves, pathological population rise, misery through poverty and choir boys buggered.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

There is corruption in every field, and it is common to religions as well. I am not saying all priests are saints. But at the same time I am not saying all priests are thieves or liers. Yes, religion has a significant impact, which can be negative at times, over human life. But that does not mean the fault always lies with religions and religious matters in issues which occur due to lack of skills in inter personal relationships.

Regarding loving thy neighbour, so seemingly Jesus has told to love the neighbour, but Jews have chosen to categorize that neighbour using the race. So who is actually at fault?

Religion poisons everything.

Religions and religious teachings are manipulated by religious leaders. Ultimately the religions are not made by Gods or prophets but the corrupted (or maybe not) religious leaders. So it is thier teachings that poison everything. So ultimately it appears like religions poison everything.

It seems you are in full agreement since religions are made by their practitioners who form a body of moral proscriptions and prescriptions called dogma. There is nothing outside that box. Religions are means to slow social progress, and poison minds against others who feel they have the right to not follow that dogma.

[Sushan]

I think the concepts like perfect partner or soulmate are mythical ideas. We all have our differences.

Of course there are many different paths, but I think religion tries to spell out a greater good path. One man, one woman in a loving relationship until death do us part, especially where children are involved.

Let's look at "love thy neighbour". The Jews were keen to define neighbour as fellow Jews, since many a tribe that was unfortunate to meet the Jewish exodus in the desert ended up put to the sword by the Jews. So I 'm not particularly convinced of that one, I'm afraid.

This was a problem at the time of Jesus, when the Jewish expert in the law asked, Who is my neighbour? Jesus gave us the parable of the Good Samaritan. This made the religious Jews out to be the bad guys, and the evil Samaritans the good guys. The teachings are right even if we don't follow them.

If children are needed to keep a loving bond between a couple, then what is the need of a religion to the same thing?

For the second part, the two who went away without helping the injured man were religious to the outside world, but has shown as not so within. I don't get what is the correct teaching that is shown in the example. But I think Jesus knew that there were corrupted priests even those days.