then that dude is not a Christian by my definition. The virgin birth is an absolute. I can not believe a so called Christian preacher would say something like that because it's fundamental to the faith
@zjab62 I would tell him that there is a God that has made rules for humans. I will go on to show him reasons and arguments that suggest the God of the Bible is real. If the reasons and arguments that I present are good, and the pirate is open minded and logical, there should be a good chance that he’ll change his behavior. Point is, one who doesn’t believe in moral absolutes that require sympathy doesn’t have the obligation to care for others.
@zelda0521 I've seen arguments about whose beliefs are true drag on and on before and, like I said in another post, I'm not here to argue. I don't condemn anyone, although I admit I don't know what the " "s mean. Tell me, how would you convince this raper-murderer-pirate that what he does is wrong? I'd like to hear what you think.
@zjab62 You say that my morals don't matter to you as long as I don't hurt others. Why would they matter if I did hurt others? Is it just that you "prefer" others not to be hurt by me and thus you "condemn" me? Is there any reason for other people to share that specific preference of yours? Say that I was raised by pirates and I kill and rape people. How would you convince me to change my behavior when all my life I've been taught differently than you have?
@zelda0521 Yes, without context right and wrong are just words. And yes, the goal of my life is happiness (for myself and those whose lives I influence). But that doesn't require an authoritative and transcending definition of right and wrong. It makes no difference to me where you get your ethics and morals as long as they lead you to live a humane life and not hurt others. If you want to nit-pick my beliefs, knock yourself out. Sticks and stones, you know.
@zjab62 To make my point clear, I propose that if you don't believe that there is a athoratative and trancending definition of right and wrong, then all the right wrong that we speak of are just a figure of speech to help us express our preference toward our own definition of what is right and wrong. And we can as a society agree to one definition, and function according to it. But in reality, it's there just to make our lives more "enjoyable".
@zjab62 You assume I understand right and wrong? Aren't right and wrong determined by each individual or culture? There are millions of people out there who have the capacity to empathize with others but feel no obligation to help or respect anyone. Are you in position to judge them? And why is Genocide wrong?
@zelda0521 If you have to bring up Nazis to make your point, you are appealing to emotion and not reason. Empathy is the beginning of my value system, not the whole. Because I know that I could easily have been in your shoes, I know that you are just as important as I am. That is why I would treat you as if you have worth and dignity (which you do). I assume that you understand right and wrong.
@zjab62 Why would imagining ourselves in someone else's shoes stop us from hurting them? You say we understand right and wrong, but what is right and what is wrong? Why do I lose automatically if I bring up Nazis?
then that dude is not a Christian by my definition. The virgin birth is an absolute. I can not believe a so called Christian preacher would say something like that because it's fundamental to the faith
pdxeddie1111 3 days ago
A good person. Thank and praise God.
bigstevejames 9 months ago
@zjab62 I would tell him that there is a God that has made rules for humans. I will go on to show him reasons and arguments that suggest the God of the Bible is real. If the reasons and arguments that I present are good, and the pirate is open minded and logical, there should be a good chance that he’ll change his behavior. Point is, one who doesn’t believe in moral absolutes that require sympathy doesn’t have the obligation to care for others.
zelda0521 11 months ago
@zelda0521 I've seen arguments about whose beliefs are true drag on and on before and, like I said in another post, I'm not here to argue. I don't condemn anyone, although I admit I don't know what the " "s mean. Tell me, how would you convince this raper-murderer-pirate that what he does is wrong? I'd like to hear what you think.
zjab62 11 months ago
@zjab62 You say that my morals don't matter to you as long as I don't hurt others. Why would they matter if I did hurt others? Is it just that you "prefer" others not to be hurt by me and thus you "condemn" me? Is there any reason for other people to share that specific preference of yours? Say that I was raised by pirates and I kill and rape people. How would you convince me to change my behavior when all my life I've been taught differently than you have?
zelda0521 11 months ago
@zelda0521 Yes, without context right and wrong are just words. And yes, the goal of my life is happiness (for myself and those whose lives I influence). But that doesn't require an authoritative and transcending definition of right and wrong. It makes no difference to me where you get your ethics and morals as long as they lead you to live a humane life and not hurt others. If you want to nit-pick my beliefs, knock yourself out. Sticks and stones, you know.
zjab62 11 months ago
@zjab62 To make my point clear, I propose that if you don't believe that there is a athoratative and trancending definition of right and wrong, then all the right wrong that we speak of are just a figure of speech to help us express our preference toward our own definition of what is right and wrong. And we can as a society agree to one definition, and function according to it. But in reality, it's there just to make our lives more "enjoyable".
zelda0521 11 months ago
@zjab62 You assume I understand right and wrong? Aren't right and wrong determined by each individual or culture? There are millions of people out there who have the capacity to empathize with others but feel no obligation to help or respect anyone. Are you in position to judge them? And why is Genocide wrong?
zelda0521 11 months ago
@zelda0521 If you have to bring up Nazis to make your point, you are appealing to emotion and not reason. Empathy is the beginning of my value system, not the whole. Because I know that I could easily have been in your shoes, I know that you are just as important as I am. That is why I would treat you as if you have worth and dignity (which you do). I assume that you understand right and wrong.
zjab62 11 months ago
@zjab62 Why would imagining ourselves in someone else's shoes stop us from hurting them? You say we understand right and wrong, but what is right and what is wrong? Why do I lose automatically if I bring up Nazis?
zelda0521 11 months ago