"One sticks one’s finger into the soil to tell by the smell in what land one is: I stick my finger in existence — it smells of nothing. Where am I? Who am I? How came I here? What is this thing called the world? What does this world mean? Who is it that has lured me into the world? Why was I not consulted, why not made acquainted with its manners and customs instead of throwing me into the ranks, as if I had been bought by a kidnapper, a dealer in souls? How did I obtain an interest in this big enterprise they call reality? Why should I have an interest in it? Is it not a voluntary concern? And if I am to be compelled to take part in it, where is the director? I should like to make a remark to him. Is there no director? Whither shall I turn with my complaint?"
//Søren Kierkegaard; Repetition: Letters from the Young Man
On the one hand, Bertrand Russell could not stand believing in God or the mysticism surrounding religion that he wrote a whole book to explain why he could not call himself a Christian. On the other hand, he freely admitted that "three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed [his] life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." And he mentioned that if he found himself before God on his death, he would "reproach Him for not giving us enough evidence." That's why I find in people I've spoken to as well, the urge to slide back-and-forth along this continuum of longing for love, acceptance, truth and the need to be logical, rational and in control.
Where you fall and decide to stay on the continuum is entirely up to you. But don't come in thinking that you will label me and thereby negate all that I am.
"One sticks one’s finger into the soil to tell by the smell in what land one is: I stick my finger in existence — it smells of nothing. Where am I? Who am I? How came I here? What is this thing called the world? What does this world mean? Who is it that has lured me into the world? Why was I not consulted, why not made acquainted with its manners and customs instead of throwing me into the ranks, as if I had been bought by a kidnapper, a dealer in souls? How did I obtain an interest in this big enterprise they call reality? Why should I have an interest in it? Is it not a voluntary concern? And if I am to be compelled to take part in it, where is the director? I should like to make a remark to him. Is there no director? Whither shall I turn with my complaint?"
//Søren Kierkegaard; Repetition: Letters from the Young Man
On the one hand, Bertrand Russell could not stand believing in God or the mysticism surrounding religion that he wrote a whole book to explain why he could not call himself a Christian. On the other hand, he freely admitted that "three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed [his] life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." And he mentioned that if he found himself before God on his death, he would "reproach Him for not giving us enough evidence." That's why I find in people I've spoken to as well, the urge to slide back-and-forth along this continuum of longing for love, acceptance, truth and the need to be logical, rational and in control.
Where you fall and decide to stay on the continuum is entirely up to you. But don't come in thinking that you will label me and thereby negate all that I am.
