Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

TaiModan · 06-08-2003, 12:53 PM

Ok, I really have to jump into this...

First I'd like to state, that the dictionary defintion of things like Atheism and Religion are seriously outdated, and lack objectivity, to me Religion is what you believe (or disbelieve), BUT the definition of Religion still maintains some accuracy.
Religion - A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. <--- nowhere do I see anything necessarily referring to a 'Supreme Being'

devotion __
n. Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle.

If you look at it like this, suddenly Atheism fits under the realm of religion, as by definition it is the dedication to a principle, as well as the fact that it's all a Theological issue.

Next, the issue of Good and Evil. Chavos asks how a true athiest deals with the problem of good and evil, without a God or other absolute moral standard. Well, as far as I see it, we do have a moral standard that need not rely on religious threats of eternal torment, or other such otherworldly retribution.
What stands between us and total Chaos? the knowledge that if everyone decides to go do everything on a whim, and eliminate anyone who stands in their way, NOBODY prospers. The more common belief is that no God means no afterlife. Then why doesnt every Atheist in the world go run rampant and kill, loot, whatnot? I think it's because most people have some form of empathy, or conscience, that dictates, if I do this, someone else may get hurt, and if I do it, then whats to stop the next guy from doing the same, and maybe this time having a detremental affect on MY life?
Others may see it differently, and thats ok, but the point is that altho religion helps give people more of a reason than just "Because I shouldn't do it" and gives them an easy way of expressing WHY they shouldn't, doesn't mean that it's the only way of holding a moral standard. Sure, some people dont hold to my level of morality, and some even think some/many of my own actions immoral, but in the end we have to trust that others will have a reason of some sort to refrain from that deemed "Evil"

ok, I'm starting to ramble as my train of thought finds itself in the middle of a maze... imma go away for now...

06-08-2003, 12:53 PM	#47 (permalink)
TaiModan Banned Location: Nanaimo BC Canada	Ok, I really have to jump into this... First I'd like to state, that the dictionary defintion of things like Atheism and Religion are seriously outdated, and lack objectivity, to me Religion is what you believe (or disbelieve), BUT the definition of Religion still maintains some accuracy. Religion - A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. <--- nowhere do I see anything necessarily referring to a 'Supreme Being' devotion __ n. Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle. If you look at it like this, suddenly Atheism fits under the realm of religion, as by definition it is the dedication to a principle, as well as the fact that it's all a Theological issue. Next, the issue of Good and Evil. Chavos asks how a true athiest deals with the problem of good and evil, without a God or other absolute moral standard. Well, as far as I see it, we do have a moral standard that need not rely on religious threats of eternal torment, or other such otherworldly retribution. What stands between us and total Chaos? the knowledge that if everyone decides to go do everything on a whim, and eliminate anyone who stands in their way, NOBODY prospers. The more common belief is that no God means no afterlife. Then why doesnt every Atheist in the world go run rampant and kill, loot, whatnot? I think it's because most people have some form of empathy, or conscience, that dictates, if I do this, someone else may get hurt, and if I do it, then whats to stop the next guy from doing the same, and maybe this time having a detremental affect on MY life? Others may see it differently, and thats ok, but the point is that altho religion helps give people more of a reason than just "Because I shouldn't do it" and gives them an easy way of expressing WHY they shouldn't, doesn't mean that it's the only way of holding a moral standard. Sure, some people dont hold to my level of morality, and some even think some/many of my own actions immoral, but in the end we have to trust that others will have a reason of some sort to refrain from that deemed "Evil" ok, I'm starting to ramble as my train of thought finds itself in the middle of a maze... imma go away for now...