I've posted this video for the same reason as I've posted my other monovlogues: to get conversation going. So far the answers have been thoughtful and the discussions have been fun. If you have a long-winded reaction to the video, that's perfectly fine. As long as we can discuss these issues like adults, I welcome input from absolutely anyone, EVEN if you passionately disagree with me. Please, don't hesitate to share your own ideas, no matter how many comment boxes you must fill to explain them.
And now, a few further points for consideration: If you believe morality comes from a godly decree, that whatever "God says" goes, then what if God declared that touching your elbow was a sin? Would that *make* it a sin? What if God came to you in a dream and declared that, to fulfill his will, you had to kill the next infant you encountered as you traveled about your daily life? Should you do it?
If you answered no because, God being "good" and all, he would never demand things so arbitrary or horrifying, then you acknowledge a morality that transcends deity. You are, in fact, holding God to a moral standard. Furthermore, if you believe in an all-powerful God, shouldn't he also possess the power to change his mind? Isn't an omnipotent being with no free will of his/her/its own a blatant contradiction?
More thoughts to come later!
Although I wouldn't label myself as a "follower" of any philosophy beyond my own reasoning, what I read about secular humanism generally sounds good. Here's Wikipedia's entry on that topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S ecular_humanism
Also excellent food for thought are The New Ten Commandments (one of the most relevant and inspired moral codes I've found yet, and it was written by an atheist): http://www.ebonmusings.org/ath eism/new10c.html
If you believe religion leads to greater goodness, please consult a little history: http://www.jhuger.com/learn
Additional relevant links will be added as I find them.
P.S. Sorry about the yellow lighting and the scratchy audio.
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