09-04-2007, 10:46 AM | #1 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: Washington State
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Non-religious Morality
All:
Some very religious people argue that religion is necessary for one to have a moral compass. They argue that without a beleif in a god that has certain expectations for how you should behave (and can observe your actions when other people cannot), there is no reason not to lie, cheat, steal, harm others, etc. What do you think? If you are an athiest or agnostic, on what do you base your personal sense of morality? |
09-04-2007, 10:54 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Lake Mary, FL
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I do know one thing: Religious persons are nearly four times as likely to care for the poor than their atheistic counterparts (And even constitute about 90'ish% of all non-profit relief funds).
...But, no one really cares about that >.>
__________________
I believe in equality; Everyone is equally inferior to me. |
09-04-2007, 10:56 AM | #3 (permalink) |
Lover - Protector - Teacher
Location: Seattle, WA
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On the Golden Rule.
I don't want to be stolen from, physically attacked, murdered, lied to, etc. So then why should I do these things to other people? I think that in all reality, murder is harder for agnostics and atheists because we are not assured salvation if we kill enemies of the religion, and because death is much more final when there isn't an afterlife. Additionally, strong Theists can justify any action they take by saying that it doesn't matter what people here (on Earth) think because God is the only one who has a right to judge them. By contrast, I know that the people here on Earth are the only ones to be effected by (and judge me based on) my actions, so I work to avoid doing things that would harm others.
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"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel |
09-04-2007, 10:57 AM | #4 (permalink) |
has all her shots.
Location: Florida
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Well, IL, I won't disagree with you, but it's not exactly what Racnad is asking about.
I have no belief in a god, but my moral compass is pretty highly attuned, I think. Rather than god having expectations of me, I have them of myself.
__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce |
09-04-2007, 10:58 AM | #5 (permalink) | |
Lover - Protector - Teacher
Location: Seattle, WA
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Your claim is made even more obviously tenuous by the fact that you used "nearly 4 times" and "90%ish" - meaning you didn't actually read ACTUAL numbers from a REPUTABLE source, but made it up (or someone else made it up, and passed it on).
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"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel Last edited by The_Jazz; 09-04-2007 at 11:06 AM.. |
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09-04-2007, 11:13 AM | #6 (permalink) | |
Location: Iceland
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__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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09-04-2007, 11:15 AM | #7 (permalink) | |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
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I base my morality on a few things: 1) The good of the pack: One of the innate traits of humans is that there is an innate loyalty to the pack, to do good for your family, friends, and community because ultimately it's good for survival. This, in my opinion, means that if a neighbor's car needs a jump, I jump the car. They get to work on time, do well, and the whole is benefited (assuming my neighbor isn't driving to go kill someone or rob a bank). This probably explains why I'm socialist. 2) Empathy: One of those wonderful things that seems to come with being sentient is the ability to perceive and comprehend the feelings of others. If I see someone who is sad, I understand sadness myself and I make a connection between my own feelings and those of the person who is sad. This helps in backing up the golden rule. If you comprehend the emotional experience of others, it's easy to sympathize and thus treat them the way you yourself would expect to be treated. 3) The law: Yes, the morality of the land is supposed to be the law. I use the law as a guide to live by, usually. This is unless the first two override the law. If the law says it's okay to torture, the second rule overrules it. If the law says it's okay to let the poor suffer, the first rule overrides it. |
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09-04-2007, 12:12 PM | #8 (permalink) | |
will always be an Alyson Hanniganite
Location: In the dust of the archives
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Because millions of years of evolution has given us the ability to reason.
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Wait a minute... Let's say, for arguments sake, that you have 100 people. 90 of whom consider themselves "religious", whereas the other 10 identify with atheists and agnostics. Let's say that all of them donated to a non-profit relief fund. Of course you could say that religious persons constitute about 90% of all non-profit relief funds, and be technically correct. You could also say that 100% of the non-religious persons contributed to non-profit relief funds. And of those same 100 people...if the religious ones (90% remember) are only 4 times as likely to care for the poor than their atheistic counterparts, that's pretty dismal.
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"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. |
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09-04-2007, 12:26 PM | #10 (permalink) |
Pissing in the cornflakes
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I forget who said it but the quote goes something like...
'When people say we need more religion, what they are really saying is we need more police'. Religion may contain some good morality lessons but its not the source of human morality.
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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps. |
09-04-2007, 02:05 PM | #11 (permalink) |
Copacetic
Location: Nati
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Religion is responsible for the deaths of billions of people throughout history. The ideas and motivations for ethics and morality have little to no formal connection to any organized religious tradition. Stoicism from the Greco-Roman is a key factor in what became the Catholic interpretation of a "moral code" despite the Stoics' aversion to religious dogma. The morality argument frequently used by religious hacks is simply one more method of ensuring their continued ignorance and illogical claims of superiority.
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09-04-2007, 02:32 PM | #12 (permalink) | |
Getting it.
Super Moderator
Location: Lion City
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In fact, I will go further and suggest that an atheist's morality is stronger than a religious person's as we must do the right thing without fear of an eternity in Hell or some other supernatural retribution should be fail to live up to standard.
__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke |
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09-04-2007, 03:47 PM | #13 (permalink) |
warrior bodhisattva
Super Moderator
Location: East-central Canada
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I'm an atheistic Buddhist. I won't go into detail, but the Golden Rule plays a lot into it. I don't need to believe in a vengeful or fatherly God to have morality, I merely need to observe and learn what is good and what is evil. It is based on my experience; it is being attuned to suffering and knowing its cause and how to at least try to alleviate it.
Once I know what causes my own suffering, I can determine what may cause others' suffering. I cannot even begin to help others unless I understand it for myself. This is my moral "compass."
__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot |
09-04-2007, 07:13 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
Addict
Location: Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
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As it is written in the Analects, talk about ghosts and things like teacups circling the sun is unproductive. |
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09-04-2007, 09:00 PM | #15 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Location: Lake Mary, FL
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You're right about one thing, though. I don't have the exact statistic on-hand, but I can find it (Won't be too hard. I know exactly where to look). Anyway, to the two people who've claimed it's harder to be a moral atheist than a moral theist... Just what the hell are you smoking? To assert such a claim you would have to at least acknowledge that there's some repercussions in a disbelief in God-- But you don't (And won't). You, as an atheist, have no predetermined standard upon which you live. Like I've said in other threads, it's much easier to be a moral atheist than a moral theist, because you aren't REQUIRED to abide by any set of rules and regulations.
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I believe in equality; Everyone is equally inferior to me. |
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09-04-2007, 09:12 PM | #16 (permalink) |
Devils Cabana Boy
Location: Central Coast CA
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my moral compass:
if the roles were reversed, would i be happy with what is being done to me. if i don't want it done to me (lied to, stolen from, etc) i don't do it to others. i am required to follow these rules because i would hate myself if i didn't.
__________________
Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen |
09-04-2007, 10:31 PM | #17 (permalink) | |
Getting it.
Super Moderator
Location: Lion City
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The fact that it isn't required and that there are no consequences to my choices *is* difficult. I don't have a book that I can point to tell me how to live a "moral" life. I have to come to these conclusions on my own, through experience (usually hard earned). In my experience this is a harder path to walk than one that comes with a guide book and threats of eternal damnation if I fail to follow the instructions found inside. Compound this with my firm belief that this is the *only* life I have. There is no redemption or do over for screwing it up.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke |
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09-05-2007, 03:59 AM | #18 (permalink) |
Illusionary
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Believe it or not, some Atheist firmly believe in Karma and the kicker is that it actually comes down and kicks you in the ass in this life, not in the next. For someone who accepts a reality that takes this into the lifestyle, it can be far more compelling than eternal damnation. One need only look at the Pat Robertsons and Osama Bin Ladens of the world to see just how powerful a scriptural based morality is on the human mind.
In my own life, I try very hard not to piss off "that which is", and keeping my own Karma intact goes a long way toward that goal.
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Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha |
09-05-2007, 04:07 AM | #19 (permalink) | |
warrior bodhisattva
Super Moderator
Location: East-central Canada
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Atheists merely say something along the lines of: "You were right about this, but wrong about that. Thank you, and no thank you." And Charlatan has an excellent point. It reminds us that this isn't easy for anyone. Besides, trying to determine who has it harder isn't only beside the point, it is something that is unmeasurable. We could spend our time more constructively, I think.
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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot |
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09-05-2007, 04:54 AM | #20 (permalink) | |
Illusionary
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So in my mind at least, the question of actual morality and what it is in practice comes to the forefront. Its all good and fine to read the manual, but if you don't understand it, or cannot follow the directions it is a useless document. If however, you look at the pictures, and can easily see what piece connects to another...you can still build the entertainment center even if the instructions are written in Chinese. Claiming it is harder for a Theist to follow moral principles does not in any way add respect to them, and in many ways makes the Theist seem corrupt. Personally, I think it makes sense to take from scripture those things that make us a better person (whatever that is), and toss the leftovers away. Asking God to hold your hand just seems like a cop out to me.
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Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha |
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09-05-2007, 05:13 AM | #21 (permalink) |
Wise-ass Latino
Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA
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I base my morality on three things:
1. Is what I am doing (or about to do) necessary for me to reach my goal? 2. Do I have the means (financially, physically, etc.) to carry out my intentions? 3. Is there a high risk in being caught and punished for what I do? If the risk is great, does the reward outweigh it? If you cannot answer 'yes' to all three questions, then chances are that you will not commit the crime/sin/whatever. This can apply to anything immoral/illegal from speeding to murder. Try it out the next time you hear about somebody being arrested for something. The first two questions are rather straightforward. The third question will come down to whether it was an act of civil disobedience out of protest, a feeling of invincibility in thinking that they sufficiently covered their own ass so they won't be caught or convicted in a court of law, or in extreme cases, a sociopath who is indifferent to the possiblity of being caught and to the punishment they may face, no matter how severe it is. Placed in the context of religions, these three questions still apply, however in most cases, the third question will always be no because of their assumption that their actions are constantly monitored by God (or the cosmic forces that manipulate Karma) and the risk of a less than satisfactory afterlife (or simple poetic justice) will outweigh any desire that is fulfilled by committing a wrongful act.
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Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator |
09-05-2007, 05:44 AM | #22 (permalink) |
Devils Cabana Boy
Location: Central Coast CA
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i don't worry about being caught, it has no real barring, because i will know myself that i did wrong, and i don't want to live with that on my conscious.
__________________
Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen |
09-05-2007, 06:54 AM | #23 (permalink) | |
Crazy
Location: Washington State
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I believe in a concept I call "moral maturity." That is the ability look beyond one's immediate situation and make consisitant descisions in your own long-term self interest and the interests of those you care about.
If you lie and cheat, you may get ahead in the short term, but the longer term result of your actions is that people will not trust you, you won't do as well in your career and you won't have quality friends. So being trustworthy and true to your word will get you further in the long term. Another principle I live by is to imagine the world you'd like to live in, and live as closley as practical as if you live in that world. I'd like a world where you can trust everyone, where you don't need looks on your doors, where everyone takes responsibility for their lives and actions. Well, since I don't live in the world, I do lock my doors. But I can still live my life and treat others as I did live in that world, and pick friends who live the same way. The problem with morals derived from God is that not everyone agrees on exactly how God wants people to live. By definition, anything that God asks of you is moral, and history is full of examples of people who believe that God had instructed them to lie, cheat and commit violence against others. Quote:
Last edited by Racnad; 09-05-2007 at 06:58 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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09-05-2007, 07:07 AM | #24 (permalink) | |||
Lover - Protector - Teacher
Location: Seattle, WA
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The only difference between the rules and regulations and their enforcement is that atheists allow the enforcement (and punishment) to be handled by themselves, whereas theists allow the enforcement (and punishment) to be handled by God. Quote:
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__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel Last edited by Jinn; 09-05-2007 at 07:09 AM.. |
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09-05-2007, 07:25 AM | #25 (permalink) | ||
Crazy
Location: Washington State
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Some are, as you described, big on free choice, with God providing general guidlines and suggestions on behavoir, while other prescribe a rigid system of morality. I don't believe one can say that being a moral theist or a moral athiest is easier. It depends on the individual. Some people tend to see the world in black & white and prefer a structured system of right & wrong to be given to them from some authority. Other people are not comfortable with arbitrary rules being given to them, and prefer to develop their own moral principles. Last edited by Racnad; 09-05-2007 at 07:27 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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09-05-2007, 07:28 AM | #26 (permalink) | |
Location: Iceland
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__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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09-05-2007, 07:30 AM | #27 (permalink) | ||
Lover - Protector - Teacher
Location: Seattle, WA
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__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel |
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09-05-2007, 07:45 AM | #28 (permalink) | |
Wise-ass Latino
Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA
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When I was putting my car back together, I would always spend a few hours on the weekend prowling a pick 'n' pull junkyard for parts. Every once in a while I'd come across an item that they'd charge an arm and a leg for, most of the time it wouldn't cost that much less than a new part from the dealership. But I needed it to get my car running (Question 1 answered). So I'd pull the part and bury it in a ziploc bag I had with my hand tools and place it in my toolbox (Question 2 answered) and continue on buy the bigger parts that I pulled. When I left the junkyard, they'd check my reciept and make me open my toolbox to see if I was making off with anything. Even though the part was right there in the ziploc bag, the never noticed it. They'd punch my reciept and send me on my way, and my car would be one step closer to becoming functional again (Question 3 answered). It's all about those three questions. It's not whether or not I have the opportunity to steal something, it's whether or not I need to steal it in order to take care of business. It's not just stealing, it's anything. It could be adultery (1. Do I or the woman I'm fooling with have a sexual desire that needs to be fulfilled? 2. Do I have game? 3. If we play our cards right, can we continue this without being discovered? Is the sex going to be worth the risk of ending the relationship with our SO?), or an act of vengeance (1. Am I angry enough over what was done to seek an eye for an eye? 2. Do I have a weapon of opportunity? 3. Can I dispose of the body, can I get a good trial lawyer, or is what I'm about to do worth a 25-to-life prison sentence?), or whatever. If you can answer yes to all three, then you can pass go and collect $200. To me, sin is merely what the law/commandments/sharia/etc. says is wrong. This should not be confused with what I personally find objectionable because there are cases in which a violation against a person is not viewed as wrong before the holy laws (i.e. 'honor killings'), and there are cases where actions that violate no one is forbidden by holy laws(i.e. gay marriage). In essence, most things are wrong simply because somebody tells you that it is wrong.
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Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator Last edited by QuasiMondo; 09-05-2007 at 08:20 AM.. |
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09-05-2007, 10:00 AM | #29 (permalink) | |
Crazy
Location: Washington State
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You're at a party with at least 25 guests. You enter a bedroom by yourself to drop your coat on the large stack of coats on the bed. You notice the edge of an iPod in one of the pockets on someone else's coat. (If iPods aren't your thing, substitute anything which 1) you'd like to own or own another of, 2) is expensive, and 3) could easily fit in your pocket.) Applying your test the answers are 1) yes, I'd like to have an/another iPod, 2) Yes I have the means to slip it into my pocket, and 3) It could have been anyone at the party, so the owner won't know it's me, and since I don't know all of the other guests, might not even know me. Is there any reason to not steal the iPod? |
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09-05-2007, 10:43 AM | #31 (permalink) | |
Crazy
Location: Washington State
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In this case, I could justify stealing his steroids.
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I acknowledge that not all Christian Churches teach this. But many do. Last edited by Racnad; 09-05-2007 at 10:52 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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09-05-2007, 11:47 AM | #32 (permalink) | ||
Location: Iceland
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As for this: Quote:
Thing is, what happens if you don't make that Very Important Choice to be forgiven by God?... yeah, here comes hell!!! (And it's that aspect that I have a problem with.)
__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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09-05-2007, 03:14 PM | #33 (permalink) | |
Wise-ass Latino
Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA
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I'm pretty sure that's how my CD walkman disappeared from a house party years ago. As for karma, I find it interesting that most of the time it's in reference to the malevolent kind (karma's a bitch!), like the kind of karma you hope a serial killer gets when the police are unable to stop him. Nobody ever mentions karma in the sense of, "I saved a kid from a speeding truck and then the following week I won the Powerball lottery! Karma is great!"
__________________
Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator Last edited by QuasiMondo; 09-05-2007 at 03:22 PM.. |
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09-05-2007, 03:26 PM | #35 (permalink) |
Wise-ass Latino
Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA
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If I really really really wanted it that bad, and the opportunity presented itself, it would probably disappear.
You really have to throw a different scenario at me because I cannot imagine that there's anything out there that would push me to snatch it up simply to posess it.
__________________
Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator Last edited by QuasiMondo; 09-05-2007 at 03:29 PM.. |
09-05-2007, 03:29 PM | #36 (permalink) |
Human
Administrator
Location: Chicago
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I don't believe in any sort of metaphysical karma. That said, I believe the concept of karma references the fact that you breed the kind of environment you live in. Sure, you may not get caught stealing the iPod, and I don't think karma will "get you back" for doing so. But, if you're the kind of person who would steal an iPod like that, chances are you're surrounding yourself with other factors in your life which are similar.
Strictly speaking, there's no reason not to steal it. Considering the broader implications, there are plenty. Stealing that iPod would not be an isolated incident of that kind of behavior.
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Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling |
09-05-2007, 03:39 PM | #37 (permalink) | |
Location: Iceland
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__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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09-05-2007, 03:51 PM | #38 (permalink) |
has all her shots.
Location: Florida
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The real interpretation of karma, in my understanding, is much more complicated than the context we usually use it in. And most often is meant in the context of good and bad deeds done over the course of multiple lifetimes.
Baraka could probably elucidate on that more with more detail, though.
__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce |
09-05-2007, 03:57 PM | #39 (permalink) |
Wise-ass Latino
Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA
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One thing that needs to be understood is whether you're stealing as a means to accomplish something else (I stole this car because I had fifteen minutes to get from Harlem to Wall Street to diffuse a bomb) or whether you're stealing just to possess the item (I stole this car because I liked the paint). It speaks of your character when you do the latter.
When you use thievery in a hypothetical situation, you cannot limit yourself to just physical items. I'm sure at one time or another one of you have piggybacked your laptop onto an unsecured wireless network and committed bandwidth theft. You needed to get on line for whatever reason (1), the network was available and unsecured (2), and it's damn near impossible for you to either be detected or caught (3). It's still theft, is it not? You are using something that you did not purchase with your own funds, correct? Is the wrong you commit a means to an end, or is it the means itself? That's the question.
__________________
Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator |
09-05-2007, 04:15 PM | #40 (permalink) | |
Location: Iceland
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Much of their religion and culture centers around that kind of karma, going so far as to give alms to the Buddhist monks every morning and doing as many good deeds as possible, to make sure they are making up for any "sins" they may have accrued in this life. Mothers hope that their sons will enter the monkhood, at least for a short time, to accrue more merit (which adds to their mothers' karma, since women are seen as somehow more sinful than men, yay)... everything is about "making merit." Now, I am not saying this is a good way of living, not is it even based on pure Buddhist doctrine (quite distant from it, in fact). But my mother's family (and many Thais) believe in it to the utmost... and they structure much of their morality around the idea of not wanting to incur bad karma and be born as a snake the next time around! Fair 'nuff, I guess.
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And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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morality, nonreligious |
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