This whole thread is about morals, if you have an opinion why hide it? If you feel you need to bring religion into it then don't go into a debate against creationism.
We have values because they define us as people and they are extremely important to have. No seriously. My pet walrus told me so.
Im not responsible for what the governments before my existence on earth are responsible for. Not sure how this came about attacking me for my morals, but whatever. Done with thread, apparently trolls are taking over.
Ok ok.. Why don't we do the 10 KaWmmandments? - Thou shall not hit thy neighbour more than 4 times.. Ok suggest away! *Please make it sound biblical m'kay
Because the Christian worldview that answers this question presuposses the existence of God. Someone would inevitably attack that presupposition and then this thread would become a religious debate on the existence of God.
It is not only possible to have morals without religion, but it could be argued that morality notwithstanding religion is the only true morality. (Naturally, people have different concepts of morality - not discussed in this narrow response) If the only reason someone chooses to be moral is because they fear some sort of punishment in the afterlife, they are not actually moral, but are instead acting out of fear. People acting solely out of this fear do no truly embrace morality. Instead, they act the part until they can do things they think they can get away with or be forgiven for. Often, they will purposefully re-interpret the feared rules to allow whatever actions they would otherwise want to do (just as an example, when alleged christians are economically or otherwise cruel to the poor). Further, if someone determines or is taught that certain behaviors are moral and enforceable by an after life judge, they can commit the most heinous crimes in the name of religion (beheadings, inquisitions, hangings, stonings, slavery, anything - and almost all major religions are guilty of teaching these are acceptable at some point in their history). Those who have chosen to be moral without any after life threat are moral by choice and not by fear. Choice is more personal and far stronger. They have no written rules from someone else they can willfully interpret to include amoral actions they want to engage in. Further, they are judged only by themselves - and there is no forgiveness or absolution. Not that all irreligious people are moral, and not that all religious people are not. People are people, some nice, some not. But the answer to your question of 'is it possible to be moral without the religious fear of a fiery afterlife?' The answer, as per above, is "yes."
Thou shall not leak in war Thou shall not jump seals Thou shall not nom nom items on FoD, unless thou art seeking the sweet spot
He said inevitably, just trying to guess. Inevitably we will all die.. When? I don't know, inevitably. :lol:
Thou shalt not burglar the phase of items in HTE Thou shalt punish newbs with horrible ideas Thou shalt giveth cash money for a free game.
The Nine Satanic Statements Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires. Satan represents man as just another animal (sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all fours), who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years. The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them. When in another's lair, show them respect or else do not go there. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat them cruelly and without mercy. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal. Do not take that which does not belong to you, unless it is a burden to the other person and they cry out to be relieved. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself. Do not harm young children. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him. The Nine Satanic Sins In 1987, Anton LaVey has stated that followers of LaVeyan Satanism should avoid the following actions, calling them the "Nine Satanic Sins." Stupidity Pretentiousness Solipsism Self-deceit Herd Conformity Lack of Perspective Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies Counterproductive Pride Lack of Aesthetics (Credit to The Satanic Bible by Anton Lavey) This is personally what I follow. Don't question the psychic vampire stuff, I'm not explaining it.
Tough question. I have two hypothesises 1. I think we have them because people need a way in order to organise people into societal groups or classes. That is, I can see if someone is a liar and say they are a bad person and therefore they are below me in the social order. 2. I think it is a symptom of our social classes. That is, if the poor people don't use manners, while the powerful do, then a person ought to use them in order to increase their chance of becoming powerful.
@King, (too long to quote.) I can see where you are aiming at with that. But, I don't have morals out of my possible afterlife. My morals lean towards - The reason why I do what I do is for others, not myself.
I think morals came from the need for our species to survive. If you think about most morals, at the most fundamental level, theyre geared toward cooperation for the purpose of survival. Dont steal because taking someone elses's food/stick/shelter makes us weaker as a team and other animals or human tribes might be able to attack us and win. Dont lie because we all need to share information to help us know more about the way our surroundings work. Dont kill because thats one less fighter on our side. Etc etc. you get the point.