A Note on Terminology

We at the Thought Foundry would just like to clear up a few points about the terminology used on this web site, in order to avoid confusion or the giving or taking of offence. In the days where political correctness is a heated topic for discussion, we do not wish to step on anyone’s toes in any way, shape or form.

Labels are not pleasant, but it is the nature of humans to assign tags to things, and sometimes regrettably even to people, in order to understand and/or predict that entity’s behaviour. This trait can be both reassuring, yet sometimes restrictive or insulting.

For example, let us look at a recent comment including the term ‘religious freaks’. As it happens this is one of my favourite expressions. To me it is a colourful phrase that seems to both show the speaker’s acceptance that overtly religious people do and must for whatever reason exist in the modern world, however grudgingly, while also adding a somewhat disagreeable but interesting or amusing flavour to the group of people in question.

As to the term’s accuracy, one feels a few words should be said.

There are religious people in the world, and there are freaks in the world. Now, not all religious people are freaks, and not all freaks are religious. Surely this alone can be agreed upon by all. Some religious people are warm, friendly, caring, eg Mother Theresa and Gandhi. Whereas some freaks are from secular backgrounds, eg. the bearded lady, the Phantom of the Opera. However, in saying that, the two sets do overlap, a perfect example of which being, Dracula.

Speaking personally, I don’t mind people who believe strongly in religion, but it’s when the behaviour turns antisocial that problems occur. People, ie the general public, have different thresholds for what is acceptable and what isn’t. Some feel that they shouldn’t have to have members of religions coming round to their house to press their beliefs on them. Others are of the opinion that giving out tracts in public places shouldn’t be tolerated.

I draw the line at murder.

“Thou shalt not kill.” One of the more well-known of God’s commandments in the Old Testament, a sacred text revered by both Christianity and Islam. What completely confounds me is that if two religions evolved from the same faith, like two limbs from the same trunk of a tree, why is one of the most fundamental laws so disagreed upon?

It seems that now more than ever we need to get a leading Christian theologian in a room with a well-known and respected Islamic scholar, together with an unbiased person to type out the transcript. No video - words and arguments only. Have them confirm what they can both agree on, and in a manner of thinking similar to Occam’s Razor, disregard everything else. All or part of the conversation can then be made available to the public.

And I’m sure it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think a book and a movie might spring from the discussion, possibly starring Denzel Washington and Nicole Kidman.