Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Silvanus · 08-13-2002, 01:25 PM

Last night, a man starved to death in the Kingdom. Apparently once a month the inhabitants of this country take part in a lottery. The "winner" is deprived of any food or drink and sent out into the desert to suffer and die. Why the lottery exists, none of the inhabitants seems sure - a few made some show of explanation, but realising the spuriousness of their justifications soon fell quiet. Most admitted quite openly that they had no idea. I tried to convince them that their lottery was unnecessary, but to no avail. There must be a reason for the lottery, they told me, or the King would not allow it to exist. That they could see no reason for the lottery was not reason enough for doubting its necessity. The King was both older and wiser than them, and if he could have built the Kingdom without the lottery he would have done so.

The next day I went to the Palace, and asked to see the King. The palace guard looked at me strangely, then asked me if I wanted read a book inspired by him. I said no, I needed to see him face to face, as I wanted him to explain the reason for the lottery. The guard told me that I could write a request to the King if I wished. I might get a response. I asked if many before me had asked about the lottery. At this point his face betrayed a hint of sadness. "Countless many", he replied. "Actually, I was the last to ask before you, after my wife won the lottery". "What did the King reply to you?", I asked. "I'm still waiting", he said.

At this point, my temper slipped, much to my regret. "Confound you and your Kingdom!", I responded. "How many must fall to your lottery, before you question it's necessity?". "Many would not consider that a question deserving a response", the guard replied, "when asked in such a manner. But since you are new to the Kingdom, I will answer as honestly as I can - when my wife won the lottery I thought my heart was torn asunder. But I have an absolute trust in the goodness of the King, and now were the whole Kingdom to win the lottery, I would still believe it necessary."

That night I fled the Kingdom, never to return. For I saw that in the Kingdom any amount of suffering may be justified in the name of the King.

Silvanus

NialScorva · 08-13-2002, 06:57 PM

I take it this is targetted more torwards the religious. I shall transfer it to MRD where it will get a better response.

Wargarden · 08-13-2002, 07:55 PM

Yee old Great Unknown Purpose. The most you can do is walk away knowing you tried all you could, even if "the King" won't lift a finger to help. And besides, if someone is sure that the purpose behind something is unknown or unknowable, then its reasonable to suspect that there is no purpose.

08-13-2002, 01:25 PM	#1
Silvanus Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 58	The Unknown Purpose Defence and the lottery Last night, a man starved to death in the Kingdom. Apparently once a month the inhabitants of this country take part in a lottery. The "winner" is deprived of any food or drink and sent out into the desert to suffer and die. Why the lottery exists, none of the inhabitants seems sure - a few made some show of explanation, but realising the spuriousness of their justifications soon fell quiet. Most admitted quite openly that they had no idea. I tried to convince them that their lottery was unnecessary, but to no avail. There must be a reason for the lottery, they told me, or the King would not allow it to exist. That they could see no reason for the lottery was not reason enough for doubting its necessity. The King was both older and wiser than them, and if he could have built the Kingdom without the lottery he would have done so. The next day I went to the Palace, and asked to see the King. The palace guard looked at me strangely, then asked me if I wanted read a book inspired by him. I said no, I needed to see him face to face, as I wanted him to explain the reason for the lottery. The guard told me that I could write a request to the King if I wished. I might get a response. I asked if many before me had asked about the lottery. At this point his face betrayed a hint of sadness. "Countless many", he replied. "Actually, I was the last to ask before you, after my wife won the lottery". "What did the King reply to you?", I asked. "I'm still waiting", he said. At this point, my temper slipped, much to my regret. "Confound you and your Kingdom!", I responded. "How many must fall to your lottery, before you question it's necessity?". "Many would not consider that a question deserving a response", the guard replied, "when asked in such a manner. But since you are new to the Kingdom, I will answer as honestly as I can - when my wife won the lottery I thought my heart was torn asunder. But I have an absolute trust in the goodness of the King, and now were the whole Kingdom to win the lottery, I would still believe it necessary." That night I fled the Kingdom, never to return. For I saw that in the Kingdom any amount of suffering may be justified in the name of the King. Silvanus

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08-13-2002, 06:57 PM	#2
NialScorva Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Median strip of DC beltway Posts: 1,888	I take it this is targetted more torwards the religious. I shall transfer it to MRD where it will get a better response.

08-13-2002, 07:55 PM	#3
Wargarden Junior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Earth; Sol Posts: 37	Yee old Great Unknown Purpose. The most you can do is walk away knowing you tried all you could, even if "the King" won't lift a finger to help. And besides, if someone is sure that the purpose behind something is unknown or unknowable, then its reasonable to suspect that there is no purpose.

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