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Listen if you can!
Vincent van Gogh, self portrait
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What do Van Gogh and Kaufmann have in common with 21 st century Atheists?
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When a myth has been around for a long time, it would appear that medical proof, intelligent analysis and, in Kaufmann's case, eye-witness accounts, are unable to dispel a myth.
It is particularly tough if people, corporations and countries benefit by perpetuating the myth. Our world wants to believe this 130-year-old myth.
In Kaufmam's case, he assembled proof that Vincent van Gogh did not cut off his ear. On the surface, whether Vincent lopped off his ear or not may sound rather trivial. Some disagree. So we have to adjust art history – big deal!
Big deal indeed!
This myth is firmly footed in art history lore. Kaufmann and his associate Rita Wildegans spent 10 years researching and assembling the facts, but they are still called upon to defend their findings before our world's jury of art experts who guard their myths jealously.
Kaufman and Wildegans will most likely prevail and their version of events will replace a “I cut off my own ear” claim made by van Gogh to protect his friend Gaugain who did the actual deed with a sword. (Guagain was an excellent swordsman and these two artists got into a violent argument.)
Even if Kaufmann and Wildegans prove their point, millions will choose to believe this original myth for at least 100 years – or even more. This myth has been embedded in our cultural heritage. It won't be going away for a long, long time.
And then there is "The Jesus Story"
Atheists have a similar problem with this myth. Chances of proving their point are nil and none.
Too many believe; need to believe; and need others to believe“The Jesus story”.
What started out as just another myth took root about 1,700 years ago and it isn't about to get uprooted.
It doesn't matter that “The Jesus story” had been preceded by at least three other “stories of a virgin birth, death and resurrection” and had been camp-fire favourites for more than 300 years before "The Jesus story".
Perhaps a reason for its success was that "The Jesus story" was told better than its predecessors. In this case, those other three "stories" must have been really bad.
Very few Christians even know, or wish to know, that these other "myths" existed. In fact, many Christian's claim that these other myths are just atheist attempts to discredit their "Jesus story". Nobody has figured out how you go about proving one myth is more truthful than another myth when both are myths. It can't be done!
Regardless, we are stuck with "The Jesus story", just like our art world is stuck with a myth of Vincent van Gogh cutting off his ear. Many people really need to believe their “Jesus story” while others treat it as a poorer written novel.
As far as needing to believe the myth, I don't because I know how to live . . . without gods!
Anton Kozlik
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Atheist
Quotes
 It is the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and expose lies . . . as for the various religions, there's no doubt that they are very meaningful to adherents, and allow them to delude themselves into thinking there is some meaning to their lives beyond what we agree is the case.
I'd never try to talk them out of the delusions, which are necessary for them to live a life that makes some sense to them.
Noam Chomsky
1928 —
Linquist, philosopher, author, political activist, lecturer
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My definition of morality . . .
“No one should expose another living entity to unwarranted pain, loss, or deprivation!”
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*Terms and Definitions
My articles may contain words or phrases that may infer different meanings to different readers, or my reader may be unfamiliar with a term or its definition. I feel it is important to know what the writer meant when he used a word or term.
cognitive dissonance —
Filtering out information that conflicts with what one already believes, in an effort to ignore that information and reinforce one’s beliefs.
Editors note: I will be repeating the “cognitive dissonance” definition for quite a while since it is practiced by so many — known by so few!
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Grandpa said . . .
“If history fails to provide a good spellbinding story, adjust the history. People want a good story more than they want the truth!”
They also demand that stories reflect what they already believe.
Emperor Constantine knew this when he used his people's need for a big celebration. Since they already celebrated December Solstice, Constantine decided that it would be the appropriate date for Christ's birthday since it had already become his people's biggest day celebration. He was successful.
Some of us still celebrate solstices and equinoxes.
I learned many things at my grandpa's knee. I believe that most of them helped me in my life. I share his comments with you.
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June 12th, 2009
Cancer cure not available
in Texberta!
Dr. Stan Spooner, an atheist, discovers cure but puts restrictions on its use!
Click here
to read my last posting.
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