tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post5868229660202135769..comments2024-03-17T14:02:21.291-06:00Comments on Moneyless World - Free World - Priceless World: Colorado & BackSuelohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739011165937473840noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-81306239137957538382009-11-22T18:01:03.032-07:002009-11-22T18:01:03.032-07:00Hi Suelo,
I live near Boulder and this morning ...Hi Suelo,<br /><br /><br /><br />I live near Boulder and this morning I was introduced to you through our news paper. Since then, I have been researching you on-line and have spent most of the day doing so. I feel as though I actually know you. I feel and think much like you. I believe that you are on a spiritual quest and not out for notoriety or to prove anything to anyone but yourself. I admire that. It appears though, that your notoriety has come from people seeking you and not you seeking them. <br /><br /><br /><br />To the people that bash Suelo for not contributing. What is your definition of contribution? What did you do today to help society or humanity? I'll bet the only thing you did was contribute your larger carbon foot print. Suelo has contributed a lot, weather you realize it or not. Look, he's got you thinking. To me, that's a contribution. I think the people that criticize Suelo have some jalousie issues. If they could admit it. Deep down in your heart, you are thinking, wow, I wish I could do that. <br /><br /><br /><br />In the blog, some people say Suelo is not a true survivalist because he doesn't make his own clothes or fashion his own tools. Well, get a clue people. This is not the Stone Age nor The Bronze Age. This is the 21st Century. All this man is doing is useing the stuff you people threw away. Now what's wrong with that? <br /><br /><br /><br />You people that knock Suelo remind me of something my Dad told me when I was a little boy, having a selfish moment. He said, you're like the boy who had two loaves of bread and could only eat one, so he pissed on the other one. Why are you upset that someone found a use for something you discarded? <br /><br /><br /><br />Here is One example of the waste that I have seen. I did a remodel job years ago at a fancy golf club/resort. Being the lowly construction people, we had to enter the building through the rear, which happened to be near the kitchen area. One morning, I arrive and see this mountain of packaged goods such as cookies, pastries, chips and other assorted snacks just piled out there. As I went into the building, I saw the head chef and asked him, what's up with all the food outside? He said, we're not able to serve it, the package dates have expired. All of this food was unopened and I asked if I could have some. I was told, sure, take all you want. I didn't go into the gluttony mode, I just took a couple of this and a couple of that. Technically, they broke the law by dispensing food with dates that had expired. This food was perfectly safe for consumption. This is an example of why you should thank your politicians, law makers and lawyers. IT'S for your own GOOD. I call BS!<br /><br /><br /><br />I give Suelo a lot of credit for his commitment to his personal beliefs. In my mind, he is a quiet warrior. And I can almost guarantee you, when the crap goes down the pipe like what we are on the verge of, you nay sayers will be looking for Suelo. <br /><br /><br /><br />The strong will servive. And that is also a Law of Nature. <br /><br />Amen, your unknown friend, LanceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-49707614043097116342009-11-14T23:05:12.737-07:002009-11-14T23:05:12.737-07:00Anonymous,
I doubt all my writing is filth. Pleas...Anonymous,<br /><br />I doubt all my writing is filth. Please, read it again more carefully. And first look at yourself before judging other people.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-13280468749483760702009-11-14T21:01:30.270-07:002009-11-14T21:01:30.270-07:00To the lone person who is venting such hatred for ...To the lone person who is venting such hatred for me and Miguel:<br /><br />I don't know about Miguel, but I do enjoy this site and the opportunity it gives for interested people to discuss stimulating issues. I am very serious about this -- Thank You, Suelo -- for providing this setting. You see, I believe we all congregate here for a reason -- some of it may be a dissatisfaction with various aspects of society, including our commercial culture and consumerism, which has left me with a sick feeling in my stomach ever since I was a child. My late father preached against American "Big Business", our disposable "throwaway culture", planned obsolescence, Corproate America and what he called "Americanism". He also was one of the most anti-religion people I've ever met -- much more anti-religious than I. My father had his quirks and demerits, he was far from a perfect person, but I admired his steadfastness to his ideals, and perspective of "To Thine Own Self Be True". I think there was a lot of reality and clarity in that. <br /><br />It's interesting you are defending religion by making threats, and hurling insults. I guess you want this site to be restricted to a very narrow field of discourse, about people's positive affirmations of Suelo's very simple life, and how they can reaffirm that life and emulate it. Well, that is fine. But there's also a broader social dynamic here which speaks to a lot of intellectual topics. As long as Suelo allows this discourse, and this debate, I am appreciative to him for it. If he wants to ban me and Miguel, so be it, but thus far, he doesn't seem to be disposed to using such draconian tactics to stifle conversations here. I suspect that would be the very antithesis of some of Suelo's most deeply-held values.<br /><br />I don't pretend to be anything but a person interested in intellectual debate about some broader issues involving materialism, corporate culture and its value system, and the environment, and the larger social fabric in which we find ourselves. I don't pretend to be someone who is brave enough, and daring enough, to emulate Suelo's lifestyle.<br /><br />If Suelo wanted to restrict commentary here to a narrow band of topics relating strictly to his lifestyle, I think he would have enforced that long ago. I am appreciative of Suelo that he seems to see the value and need to cultivate lively discussions about some controversial issues!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-91800801093030941552009-11-14T20:48:25.659-07:002009-11-14T20:48:25.659-07:00Anonymous,
I never claimed I wanted to leave this...Anonymous,<br /><br />I never claimed I wanted to leave this site. I never even said anything remotely similar!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-69769995977624132112009-11-14T20:35:18.197-07:002009-11-14T20:35:18.197-07:00Religions aren't taxed because people believe ...Religions aren't taxed because people believe there is a "seperation of church and state" (this isn't in the constitution). The government is not allowed to form an official religion (not have NO religious statements in it's buildings etc). It's freedom of religion, not from religion.Dwaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07991949099743587945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-26514408114408824022009-11-14T20:05:08.224-07:002009-11-14T20:05:08.224-07:00Miguel,
It's hard to ignore your filth when yo...Miguel,<br />It's hard to ignore your filth when you spread it all over this site. of course,that is what you want,that's why losers like you and Joseph pollute a decent site like this...you love to cause problems. now answer this...why don't you leave like you said??? are you not capable of being a man of your word??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-37396251271411677462009-11-14T18:54:52.019-07:002009-11-14T18:54:52.019-07:00Why don't you ignore us?, that's what the ...Why don't you ignore us?, that's what the first poster claimed was needed for us trolls to leave.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-71439111781913113022009-11-14T18:11:24.707-07:002009-11-14T18:11:24.707-07:00Joseph,
You talk about creating "the cause of...Joseph,<br />You talk about creating "the cause of the century", yet you and your lackey Miguel can't even manage to follow through with something as simple as leaving this site, as you both claimed to want to do! you two(or one in the same?)are totally clueless about the real workings of this world....you come hear preaching all manner of garbage, trying to sound important, yet all you really accomplish is to sound like the frightened hate mongers you really are. scum like you need a seriuos reality check, and one day, someone WILL give you one!! now, keep your word and leave this site, and take your anti-religion views with you!! (or is it too hard to keep your word???)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-57342759369086341122009-11-14T16:48:18.657-07:002009-11-14T16:48:18.657-07:00Some people group the social sciences under the sc...Some people group the social sciences under the scientific superstition label.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-5186971589133704902009-11-14T16:41:14.230-07:002009-11-14T16:41:14.230-07:001. Miguel, let it be unpopular! Sometimes the pop...1. Miguel, let it be unpopular! Sometimes the populace has to be dragged kicking and screaming into present day thinking! Much of the US population is hopelessly retrograde in their thinking. I am stating what I would do as president or as a legislator, and moreover I'm making a public policy proposal that I think should be fought to achieve. In fact, I may have my friend in Taiwan design a website to promote this cause, and turn it into an advocacy group! I think this is the 'cause of the century' for the US, because it ties together our fiscal problems (tremendous) with the reactionary cultural attitudes of much of the US population, especially in the South and Midwest. Even if it has only a small chance of being implemented (as you say, it would be highly unpopular), I think that openly debating this alternative, everywhere, would be very healthy for the USA!<br /><br />2. I agree that natural/physical sciences should not be promoted over social sciences, art, literature, music, etc. However, the dichotomy we're talking about here is not natural sciences versus social sciences, it is natural sciences versus unscientific superstition. The government should promote rationality, scientific thinking, and teach that in the schools, along with the social sciences, arts, etc. However, the government should also have a role in actively discouraging superstition and irrationalism, and should spend money fighting these impulses. Some of that money can be what is collected from these parasitic religious organizations!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-28093107792333763972009-11-14T16:20:23.653-07:002009-11-14T16:20:23.653-07:001. Agreed, but the answer is more regulation. Taxi...1. Agreed, but the answer is more regulation. Taxing religions would be unpopular and probably a bad choice.<br /><br />2. I agree, however I am doubtful that natural sciences should be given preference over the social sciences, spirituality, art, literature, philosophy or music. I have heard some natural scientists obsessed with rationalism and hard facts, who claim any kind of symbolic thinking should be abolished, including poetry and metaphors.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-65370986636030265452009-11-14T16:09:40.259-07:002009-11-14T16:09:40.259-07:001. The problem is that most religions in the USA, ...1. The problem is that most religions in the USA, including the Catholic and Protestant mega-churches, as well as most Jewish congregations and many Islamic groups, are businesses masquerading as "non-profit entities". When one really examines their finances, one will see the huge amount of unethical profiteering they engage in, hidden under the cloak of "religion". TIME TO TAX THE RELIGIONS!<br /><br />2. You lump the USA along with all other liberal democracies, but we are by far the most religious of the "liberal democracies". In the USA, it is clear that people use religion as a crutch to mask their own intolerance and unethical behavior. Moreover, we are a society in which the average person still elevates superstition over science:<br /><br /> http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.htmlJosephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-12730711375334136162009-11-14T15:47:39.029-07:002009-11-14T15:47:39.029-07:00I think SOME taxes are ethical, yes. Furthermore a...I think SOME taxes are ethical, yes. Furthermore any non-profit institution should not be taxed, and religions should be no exception.<br /><br />Religions never get favored treatment in modern democracies. This only happens in totalitarian theocracies as Islamic societies and the old feudal theocracy of Tibet. Yes, the Dalai Lama was favored, until the chinese changed their old fashioned way of living.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-2524766626187030362009-11-14T15:38:48.611-07:002009-11-14T15:38:48.611-07:00Miguel, do you think taxes in general are ethical?...Miguel, do you think taxes in general are ethical? Would you have the government tax all of us, but not tax religious institutions?<br /><br />Why should religious organizations get favored treatment? That is blatantly unethical.<br /><br />EQUALITY NOW!!!<br /><br />TAX ALL RELIGIONS!!!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-82491557827236008452009-11-14T15:25:48.376-07:002009-11-14T15:25:48.376-07:00The fact I am an agnostic, doesn't mean I call...The fact I am an agnostic, doesn't mean I call traditional religions obsolete, if anything I think they will adapt to future events. Also new religions are appearing all the time.<br /><br />Religion is not dead, it's alive. New ideas for religion and new leaders are emerging. Last time I was checking Osho and Adi Da, both very impressive spiritual leaders with novel ideas for religious thinking.<br /><br />I would consider myself a deeply religious person. I think I mentioned Carl Jung and William James on this blog. And I don't remember slamming religion, except for reading Suelo doing it with Christianity.<br /><br />Taxing religions IS unethical according to most people's standards. I would advise you to consult with sensible thinkers in politics about taxing religions. I think the answer is very obvious, as it's not ethical, not practical to implement, and in the end it's wishful thinking. Only a totalitarian socialist regime might be able to do it.<br /><br />Being a contrarian is useful for developing flexibility of mind, but I don't think I am being that here. I am only stating my views.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-58501824076283720902009-11-14T14:59:52.802-07:002009-11-14T14:59:52.802-07:00Taxing religion is not unethical, Miguel. It is m...Taxing religion is not unethical, Miguel. It is much more unethical NOT to tax religions.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-74621732654672921842009-11-14T14:57:40.252-07:002009-11-14T14:57:40.252-07:00Miguel,
All that is interesting coming from a pe...Miguel, <br /><br />All that is interesting coming from a person who has called religions "obsolete" here on this blog. I thought I agreed with you on the subject of religion. Now I think you are being contrary just to be a contrarian. You have previously slammed religions here.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-40538958966743357842009-11-14T14:14:39.131-07:002009-11-14T14:14:39.131-07:00And now I ask, does this makes Buddhism evil?. I w...And now I ask, does this makes Buddhism evil?. I would answer with a strong "No". Buddhism has many enlightening aspects to consider it worthwile, at least for some kinds of people.<br /><br />However this only applies if you can accept Buddhism may have a dark side. I have heard many Buddhist supporters blaming my sources as propaganda. It seems some people prefer to live in their own fantasy world and I don't have any problem with that.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-59715292164740188562009-11-14T13:56:02.420-07:002009-11-14T13:56:02.420-07:00Taxing religions is a very unethical, not to menti...Taxing religions is a very unethical, not to mention unpopular idea. I have heard it said by satanists and militant atheists. It's not something I would encourage any goverment to implement.<br /><br />And I find your view of Abrahamic religions as terribly biased and unfair. As much as I respect Buddhism and the Buddha, I think you should look at the dark side of Buddhism too:<br /><br />Critical Links to Buddhism and Lamaism<br />http://www.iivs.de/~iivs01311/EN/links.htm<br /><br /><br />And read this book:<br /><br />"THE SHADOW OF THE DALAI LAMA"<br /><br />"Sexuality, Magic and Politics in Tibetan Buddhism"<br /><br />http://www.iivs.de/~iivs01311/SDLE/Contents.htmMiguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-27499469025863877632009-11-14T13:38:39.175-07:002009-11-14T13:38:39.175-07:00It's amazing how little you can find, on the I...It's amazing how little you can find, on the Internet, along the lines of a serious public policy debate over the taxation of religion in the USA.<br /><br />It seems that the political establishment in the US is afraid to broach this subject for fear that Aunt Gertrude and her fellow hordes of orthopedic shoe-wearing churchgoers back in Keokuck will take offense and clobber them at the ballot box.<br /><br />The truth is that this issue has never been seriously raised in the USA in the sense of a sustained public policy debate, and needs to be raised NOW.<br /><br />The best diatribe on this subject I could find on the Net are the following....<br /><br />http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/extended-discussion/the-us-should-start-taxing-religion/t.50128943/<br /><br />http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/19/784242/-It-is-Time-to-Tax-Religion<br /><br />http://thenationalgadfly.com/2008/11/30/take-back-our-government-tax-religions/Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-54787307492870685962009-11-14T12:58:47.730-07:002009-11-14T12:58:47.730-07:00Miguel,
On the whole, the so-called "Abraha...Miguel, <br /><br />On the whole, the so-called "Abrahamic religions", Christianity Judaism, and Islam, have caused more devastation and harship in people's lives, and more warfare, suffering and strife, than they could ever hope to cure. And other cults like Mormonism, Scientology, and Aum Shinrikyo have brainwashed people into harming themselves and others. <br /><br />The issue is not what kinds of spiritual solace one can get from joining a moribund group of lemmings like the Unitarians... the issue is, is the United States of America going to tax religions now, particularly when we have a trillion-dollar plus budget deficit? <br /><br />TAX ALL RELIGIOUS ENTITIES HEAVILY, and divert the money to helping the homeless, the needy and the working poor!!!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-90434261565380353582009-11-14T10:23:59.069-07:002009-11-14T10:23:59.069-07:00You should visit an Unitarian Church.You should visit an Unitarian Church.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-52684920569117065662009-11-14T09:55:56.031-07:002009-11-14T09:55:56.031-07:00Joseph, I think it's relative. Some people fin...Joseph, I think it's relative. Some people find meaning and enlightening in their religions, others find alienation and superstition.<br /><br />I happen to be an agnostic, but I am also a trascendentalist. I believe all religions have some truth in them.Miguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-77800720782598527952009-11-14T05:20:04.766-07:002009-11-14T05:20:04.766-07:00We have seen recently the pernicious effects that ...We have seen recently the pernicious effects that religion can have on a person's mind. Exposure to religion at an early age, or religious indoctrination through life, often promotes psychosis, or at least what psychologists call "schizoid behavior". I have a friend who was a successful professional, but also a member of the Mormon Church and surrounded by Mormons. He recently took his own life with a gun, and I believe that long-term exposure to the destructive influences of religion may have played a strong role in his turning the gun on himself. Here is just one recent example from the media of what religion can do in promoting criminal behavior, and how people use religion to justify criminal behavior:<br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/13/arkansas.evangelist.trial/index.html<br /><br />We need to control religion, tax it, and discourage it!!!Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104251146418776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25149653.post-77595318890506932172009-11-13T13:54:43.944-07:002009-11-13T13:54:43.944-07:00Greetings
I found your blog about a month ago whil...Greetings<br />I found your blog about a month ago while I was traveling in the northwest and Ive been meaning to contact you. I too live without money, although I do pay for public transportation when I have to. I do work-trade when I can, I vollunteer on farms and I dumpster dive when I have to. I just started a blog the other day. I'll be posting on my recent journeys in the next day or so. I have to go into the woods to write because I can't stand computers. Peace my brother.<br />-David http://guttershaman.blogspot.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com