The Morman hypothetical

[One Brow]

What I meant by that statement was that Atheists tend to dismiss our sense of right and wrong when it has a religious context. In my experience, when you tell them that you "believe" something, they view your belief as irrelevant.

I suppose that when it comes to matters like coffee and blood transfusions, the moral beliefs as such do spring from a religious source.

However, for we atheists, religious sources are not the origin, but the continuation of the habits, thoughts, and opinons of people. Further, when people no longer accept a religious proclamation as valid personally, they find/invent a "legitimate" way to disregard the religious instruction. A good example is the shellfish and homosexual behavior of a certain type are both abominations in Leviticus, but one has been discarded while the other has been expanded, due to the subsequent preferences of the believers.

moevillini, I don't know if I would describe morals as arising in a social contract (something exterior to humans), as much as our sense of empathy that most members of our species possess. The social contract, to the degree it exists at all, is a codification of the varying degrees/types of empathy into a social framework.

 

[moevillini]

moevillini, I don't know if I would describe morals as arising in a social contract (something exterior to humans), as much as our sense of empathy that most members of our species possess. The social contract, to the degree it exists at all, is a codification of the varying degrees/types of empathy into a social framework.

sort of splitting hairs here I think, but I don't disagree either

at any rate, it's again a matter of taking different paths to arrive at the same destination

if we both agree that killing another human being is wrong (except perhaps in self-defense) it doesn't necessarily matter that you think it's because of some innate "empathy" - and I think it's because of some "Age of Enlightenment - Social Contract" theory and a third person believes it's because that's what God commanded.

 

[Hopper]

sort of splitting hairs here I think,

if we both agree that killing another human being is wrong (except perhaps in self-defense) .

Splittin hairs, it ROCKS, eh, Mo!? And here I thought ya done said ya wasn't opposed to the DP in principle. Zup wit dat? Dat aint zakly self-defense, is it? I mean, it kinda is mebbe, but they aint no immediate threat from da fool, just before the firin squad squeezes off dem rounds, ya know?

 

[Edgewriter]

I suppose that when it comes to matters like coffee and blood transfusions, the moral beliefs as such do spring from a religious source.

And there is the attitude I was talking about. Thanks for proving my point. (Even though I don't have a religious viewpoint regarding blood transfusions.)

Look, I have disagreements with other religions on many issues including the those with the religion of atheism. I don't understand the resoning behind many of their beliefs. But as long as their beliefs don't encourage them to harm me or my family in any way, who cares. I let them be.

 

[Hopper]

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” (Seneca)

Just thought I would throw dat in, eh? Seems relevant, somehowze.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

Look, I have disagreements with other religions on many issues including the those with the religion of atheism.

I don't think there's a rolleyes smilie big enough to properly respond to this.

 

[Hopper]

I don't think there's a rolleyes smilie big enough to properly respond to this.

Ya tryin to suggest that atheism caint be it's own form of religion, dat it, eh, Dark? If so, den I givez sum rollyeyez right back atcha, eh?

 

[One Brow]

And there is the attitude I was talking about. Thanks for proving my point. (Even though I don't have a religious viewpoint regarding blood transfusions.)

What attitude? Should I not suppose the moral beliefs come from a religious source?

Look, I have disagreements with other religions on many issues including the those with the religion of atheism. I don't understand the resoning behind many of their beliefs. But as long as their beliefs don't encourage them to harm me or my family in any way, who cares. I let them be.

There is no such thing as a religion of atheism. You might as well refer to the car model a pedestrian is using.

I do understand the reasoning behind the ban on blood transfusions (at least, as JWs employ it); I studied for about five years. I understand the coffee ban less well, though. Neither is of particular concern to me.

 

[One Brow]

Ya tryin to suggest that atheism caint be it's own form of religion, dat it, eh, Dark? If so, den I givez sum rollyeyez right back atcha, eh?

Atheism can be a religion in the same sense the Utah Jazz can be a religion.

 

[Hopper]

Atheism can be a religion in the same sense the Utah Jazz can be a religion.

It's a theistic belief, aint it, Eric?

 

[One Brow]

It's a theistic belief, aint it, Eric?

Jerry Sloan is certainly a coaching God.

Oh, you mean atheism. No, it's a lack of theistic belief. Is apathy a political position?

 

[Hopper]

Looky here (from Webster's):

"Main Entry: re·li·gion 4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith."

Well, there ya have it, then, I spect.