From: jamesatemple@texascellnet.com
"David V." wrote in message
news:rLednQiPCeiLUQHZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sti.net...
> World domination is a "beneficial" aim?
Could be...in the right hands. I don't think that humans have the capacity
for beneficial world dominance.
> I just look at the facts...
So do I. We just sometimes differ in our interpretation and presentation of
those same facts.
> Christians are over represented in the prison population.
I don't know that to be a fact but I'm sure inclined (read "biased) to
believe that it is true.
> All of the nationally known preachers have lied.
That would be very difficult to prove.
> How can a liar be good at teaching morality?
Strange question! All liars are teachers in some sense. And, I suspect
that all teachers have told a lie at one time or another. Teachin' morality
isn't difficult; livin' a moral life is.
> The results show that they are not good at teaching morality.
Sorry. Your "results" are skewed by you definition of "morality". It
appears that you opine that morality can only be effectively taught by folks
that are impeccably moral.
>> And, I can point to a number of my Christian friends that are very moral,
>> indeed...in raising their children, helpin' friends, supportin' good
>> causes.
> All that can be learned from family and friends.
True. And, morality may be inate in some folks. Yet, I admire folks who
attempt to live a moral life and teach their children morality regardless of
the source of that teaching.
> Their religion need not be given credit.
Nope. But you give credit where it is due. Some folks may have acquired a
sense of morality from their religious teachings. Regardless of the source,
the teaching of such doesn't guarantee the desired result.
>> Still, they support that monkey-faced moron that has been installed as
>> our American President. It drives me nuts tryin'
>> to figure how such good folks can ignore the rampant slaughter of
>> innocents that this Administration has initiated
>> ~ predicated upon lies, deceit, and a hidden agenda.
> It shows they have no morals.
Nope. It merely shows the effectiveness of brainwashing children for
generations on end. The folks that you allude to may very moral in their
daily conduct and yet support immoral actions that are presented as the
proper aspects of their religion.
> Bush has no morals and they support Bush.
I can't state for a fact that Bush has absolutely no morals, but his
policies certainly indicate that religiosity has outweighed his moral
compass.
> It also shows that they are blinded by their religion. They
> have turned into sheep.
Hah!! I knew it! In each of our conversations, we arrive at a point on
which we both agree.
>> Still, if you define morality as relative to only those without blemish,
>> you and I had better get a lantern and help ol' Diogenes in his eternal
>> search for an honest man.
> Diogenes gave up looking in Europe so he went to New York. > He got mugged
> and they stole his lamp.
Heh, heh! Now that's funny.
> I'm not saying one has to be perfect, but one should at least
> have a moral/ethical code based on 21st century ideas instead of archaic
> ideas that have no relevance to today.
I'd have to ponder that one a bit, Dave. I'm not convinced that the Muslims
aren't correct in thinkin' that the American-male pasttime of puttin' dollar
bill in the G-strings of nearly-naked dancin' girls is a moral act. Their
penchant for coverin' their females from head to toe seems as radical to me
as the appearance of young women in thongs on any beach in an American
summer must appear to them.
>>> Not peace; ...
>> Yep, they teach peace: "...they shall beat their swords into
>> plowshares."
> That is only after they've taken over the world. And that one
> line does not cancel out the mandate of genocide in the OT.
No, my friend. Theists teach peace. But, they don't pracice it.
>>> ...look at all the wars religions, especially the christian one, have
>>> caused.
>> They've failed that beneficial aim, haven't they?
> It benefited Bush...... hopefully it will also be his downfall.
Of course, you're right. But, we were discussin' moral benefits; not
monetary. Another immoral benefit of the Invasion of Iraq might be
population control. We've certainly decreased the viable population of
Iraqi citizens and created over 2,500 job openings in our own country with
the deaths of American military personnel.
>>> Not human rights, ...
>> Yep, they teach human rights: "Do unto others as you would have them do
>> unto you".
> They don't preach that and it's not even original to the
> christian mythology.
Oh, but they do preach it. But, I think they add the caveat, "so long as
you believe the way I do." And, it is not original to Christianity.
>> In the final analysis, it's not what folks preach or teach; it's how they
>> act. I've stopped many proselytizing attempts with just the admonition,
>> "Don't preach me a sermon, show me >> one".
> The actions of many christians has brought us a dictator as
> president. How can I have any respect for a group that supports > Bush?
Now, that's a tough question, Dave. I have a great deal of respect for my
Christian friends as they comport themselves here in our small town. But, I
certainly don't have respect for their support of Bush's tyranny.
Thanks for a pleasant discussion, Dave. In my view, any film that promotes
belief in the supernatural should be rated "F" for fiction.
Jim Temple
--
The Source For Premium Newsgroup Access
Great Speed, Great Retention
1 GB/Day for only $8.95
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
|
