Hi Rich,

Dave tried to draw an analogy between virtual worlds and religion. His
argument was, as I understand it, something like "both of them offer
you something imaginary in exchange for real money or goods". He was
saying, for example, that in the ancient world, priests often were
allowed to eat part of the animals which they were given to sacrifice
- thus the sacrificial animal being, in part, a payment for the
priest's services.

I was disagreeing because a) not all religions demand payment for
services and b) not everyone would agree that the spiritual realm is
imaginary.

Sean


On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Rich <rgrazia1@rochester.rr.com> wrote:
> I am having difficulty following the principle argument, Sean.  Is it that
>  religions are bad because they rely on money to operate and they get the
>  money unjustly?  Forgive my inability to grasp ideas.
>
>
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "Sean Breheny" <shb7@cornell.edu>
>  To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
>
> Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 11:06 PM
>  Subject: Re: [OT]: Unbelievable and a bit scary!
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Dave,
>  >
>  > On Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM, David VanHorn <microbrix@gmail.com>
>  > wrote:
>  >>  I'm sorry you find it offensive, but I think it's entirely in context.
>  >>  Religions take in money and other valuables in exchange for
>  >>  preferential treatment in their imaginary realm.  The catholic church
>  >>  sold indulgences, essentially the same IMHO as buying Neocash with
>  >>  real cash, then to buy a fairy paintbrush for your scorchio.
>  >>
>  >>  Of course with neopets you at least get to have some manifestation of
>  >>  what you're buying.
>  >>
>  >>
>  >
>  > I think there are two problems with what you said:
>  >
>  > 1) There are plenty of religions where you do not have to provide a
>  > single penny (although there is usually an injunction to donate what
>  > you can) to the religious leaders and can still benefit fully from
>  > what they are offering.
>  >
>  > 2) It assumes that the "realm" of religion is in fact imaginary. You
>  > believe that, but many others do not.
>  >
>  > Sean
>
>
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