In a previous thread, I proposed an alternative method for addressing morality. Instead of looking at a behavior as "right" or "wrong", I suggested that we look at it as either kind or unkind. In so doing, I was attempting to divorce human behavior from acts based on obligation.
From the time we are little, we are taught that things are "right" or "wrong". We are told that we "should" do certain things. But is this the truth?
One major difficulty I have had in my transition to atheism is how to deal with morality. I formally argued that if there were no god then we are simply matter interacting with other matter. My line of thinking was that if this is the case then nothing is truly "right" or truly "wrong". No one is obligated to do anything. If this is the case, then what Hitler did really wasn't "wrong". That is a disburbing thought to me. However, in an attempt to engage in meaningful dialogue, I am attempting to be open in regards to my thinking.
Which brings me back to my original question: What do "right" and "wrong" really mean? Are these terms based on the commands of a deity? Do they have significant meaning? Or, are they terms that have to do with obligation, not with the effects of performing a certain action?
Is it in appropriate for atheists to describe anything as "right" or "wrong"? Or should we describe things as either "kind" or "unkind"? Or is there other alternatives that we should consider?
mankkeli
JoinedPosts by mankkeli
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What do the words "right" and "wrong" really mean?
by mankkeli inin a previous thread, i proposed an alternative method for addressing morality.
instead of looking at a behavior as "right" or "wrong", i suggested that we look at it as either kind or unkind.
in so doing, i was attempting to divorce human behavior from acts based on obligation.. .
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mankkeli
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Critique of the NOVEMBER 1 Watchtower article"When Was Ancient Jerusalem Destroyed?"
by Doug Mason inthis critique of the chronology article appearing in the watchtower of november 1, 2011 is in two parts:.
part a discusses points raised by the article;.
part b provides supporting evidences and additional material.. download both parts.
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mankkeli
Doug Mason - For all your translation works, contact http://www.competenzatranslations.com/
The company is reliable, efficient and their jobs are well perfected. Please do reach them.
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Should i break up???
by Dudu ini need advice specially from those wise women and men from this forum, who has been in a relationship for long time.
here is my situation, i am dating a guy for 4 months now and everything was going smooth, but since a month ago , he is been going out with some friends.... my boyfriend only has 2 full days off during the month , every other sunday, last day off he went all day with his friends to the beach and i was ok with that, but today he is calling me to ask me if i am ok with him going with his friends again all day to the beach.
we dont go out that much and maybe we go out one time a week and is for dinner or something like that, i dont think of myself as clingy but i dont like this pattern...... should i break up?
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mankkeli
Dudu, I hope he is not behaving that way because you recently gave him the apple juice, Men can be funny.
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Self-shunning Syndrome / The Prime Directive
by cedars ini've recently been reunited with some close family and friends having been away from them for some time in another country.
to begin with, i was a little apprehensive as to how they would treat me.
they don't know the extent of my feelings or knowledge (or what i've been up to!
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mankkeli
While exiting the JW religion, although I was at war with the organisation but I personally decided not to hold any grudges with their God. Although I dont believe in him anymore, but I am still able to discuss the concept of what he represents. With myfamily members and friends, I freely discuss how much good "jehovah" has done and blah blah blah , While In their presence, I ascribe all success we encounter to him. But I consciously avoid discussions about the organisation, neither do I mention any negative thing about its leaders. To me, their God is an illussion and as far as I am concern He is innocent, the concept of his existence is just being used to market the JW theological program.
It has been working fine for all of us aand we have been at peace with this method. I discuss about jehovah appreciatively in their presence and I opt out of any discussion about the organisation.
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Why is there something rather than nothing?
by mankkeli ini suppose both theists and atheists can answer this question, although if theists do, maybe they could explain why it is they believe god made creation and they are free to quote scripture if they choose.
for my own answer i believe he made it because he loved it and therefore made it exist, because it was therefore good (genesis 1:31 and god saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
i'm especially interested though in the answer from the perspective without faith.
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mankkeli
Hi,
I suppose both theists and atheists can answer this question, although if theists do, maybe they could explain why it is they believe God made creation and they are free to quote scripture if they choose. For my own answer I believe He made it because He loved it and therefore made it exist, because it was therefore good (Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.)
I'm especially interested though in the answer from the perspective without faith. It seems that many atheists believe that the physical universe has always existed and did not have a cause, but what I am asking is why it is that the universe and reality should exist in the first place. Does it exist without a reason for its existence, does it exist with a reason for its existence (and if so, hopefully one will elaborate), does it exist and one doesn't know if it has a reason or not for its existence, or does it exist and one knows that it must have a reason, but one does not know what that reason is? Are there other possible answers I am not thinking of?
I hope /\ that made sense...
Thank you in advance for all of your thoughts. -
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is it moral and or rational to teach children and adults that Santa is real?
by mankkeli in1) yes it is moral and rational.
2) yes it is moral.
3) yes it is rational.
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mankkeli
- 1) yes it is moral and rational
- 2) yes it is moral
- 3) yes it is rational
- 4) no it is not moral and rational
- Your candid opinion please
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Do we have the right to judge god?
by mankkeli indo we have the right to judge god?.
this is an important question.
non-believers often become and remain non-believers because they judge that god is incomprehensible or malevolent, and therefore of dubious existence in the form believers claim.
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mankkeli
Do we have the right to judge god?
this is an important question. non-believers often become and remain non-believers because they judge that god is incomprehensible or malevolent, and therefore of dubious existence in the form believers claim.
believers sometimes say that it is irrelevant to judge god, because morality comes from god, and by definition god therefore is beyond morality, and his will is good, whatever it looks like to us at this time and place.
other believers say that we are pottery created in the image of god, and have the obligation to turn our eyes back and regard the potter who made us with that capacity and inclination.
jewish scriptures have wrestled with the question in the books of job and ecclesiastes. christian scriptures tend to be concerned elsewhere.
what's your answer? -
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one more time...
by mankkeli inwhere does god belief come from?
please i need constructive opinions..
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mankkeli
where does god belief come from? Please I need constructive opinions.
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Is it important to be right?
by mankkeli insometimes, i think, our western values have drilled in us the importance of "winning" a debate on something of non-importance.. so is "winning" a debate really important?.
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mankkeli
Rocky_Girl- Not really, I just feel that it is much more important to grow and gain greater understanding than actually winning the debate. You can win a thousand debates/arguments and still be wrong, but if the goal is growth, then everybody wins.
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Is it important to be right?
by mankkeli insometimes, i think, our western values have drilled in us the importance of "winning" a debate on something of non-importance.. so is "winning" a debate really important?.
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mankkeli
Rocky_Girl- Not really, I just feel that it is much more important to grow and gain greater understanding than actually winning the debate. You can win a thousand debates/arguments and still be wrong, but if the goal is growth, then everybody wins.