Quote:
Originally posted by Cynthetiq
I have a friend who's sister died of AIDS. He's now morally obligagted to do everything that he can in support of AIDS reseach and donation collection.
I have a friend who's father died of lung cancer. He now is morally obligated to do everything he can to make sure people know that smoking is bad for you.
These don't seem so different. I think it's a matter of positive vs. negative energy.
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I'll buy that, Cynthetiq.
As everyone must know by now on TFP, I'm the world's biggest Beatles nut. However, when I was growing up, my father never forgave John Lennon for the "more popular than Christ" comment. He despised Lennon for the rest of his life.
Yet, there was never a single time when my father attempted to banish John Lennon from my life or even persuade me into finding a different role model.
Is it all part of the infamous "dumbing down" of culture we've heard so much about? They believe that all things different are necessarily "bad" and therefore must be permanently removed?
All my friends in college were from so many different backgrounds and personal belief systems that we were guaranteed plenty of good arguments at EVERY gathering. Yet, we all loved each other's company and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Sadly, my generation today simply doesn't seem to have the energy to entertain opposing viewpoints anymore, and we all surround ourselves with like-thinking friends.
Very sad.