Sunday School

No, objective is different from universal. In any case, universal to whom?

You just proved it is subjective. An objective moral value by definition must be universal and unambiguous. Our relative morality originates from our need to cooperate to survive as is the case with all social animals.

It can be, but doesn’t have to be. Having a mansion also isn’t required.

Well, the opposite from what Reg said: something that isn’t just a matter of opinion or culture. In philosophy, “moral realism” is the term used. The idea I favor is that flourishing and happiness are values which all people pursue, with morality based on fulfilling those.

“Flourishing” is usually at someone else’s expense. There…[Read more]

Well, the opposite from what Reg said: something that isn’t just a matter of opinion or culture. In philosophy, “moral realism” is the term used. The idea I favor is that flourishing and happiness are values which all people pursue, with morality based on fulfilling those.

@Mcc1789 – what do you mean by “objective morality”?

Actually, there have been pacifists who felt killing is always wrong (like the Jains of India). Plus there have been other acts also universally condemned by some groups and moral theories. It’s safe to say they’re the minority.

I’d like to hear some good arguments in favor of/against objective morality. Thus far I’m not seeing it. I do know…[Read more]

Thou shalt not kill. This is not an example of objective morality. It is an example of absolute morality. If you can think of an exception that allows for a person to kill another person then it immediately moves from being absolute to being relative. All morality is relative morality. It is subject to the circumstances at a particular time or…[Read more]

Nature has no problem with stealing, a crow will steal a French fry right out of your hand.

There are many cases when “stealing” is acceptable to society as well. The rules are as subjective about “ownership” and stealing as anything else. Possession is 9/10’ths of the law ya know. So do the Native American feel like they were ripped off? You b…[Read more]

You would like to know one objective moral rule.

1. Does your moral code contain the word “steal”?
2. Is your preferred dictionary the OED?
3. Do you consider a dictionary as descriptive or prescriptive, and not an unstated combination of descriptive and prescriptive?

Re #1. The OED defines “steal” as ‘taking [anther’s property] without…[Read more]

I would like to know one objective moral ‘rule’. Could it be “thou shall not Kill?” Clearly not. People kill all the time, self defense, war, accidents. How about “do no harm”. Define harm. Just by living we harm. How about “love God”. WTF does that even mean. Objective morality, sin, justice and forgiveness are all man-made social constructs that…[Read more]

“What do you think of the Moral Argument for god?”

– if the “moral argument for God” is

Premise 1: If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist.
Premise 2: Objective moral values and duties do exist.
Conclusion: Therefore, God exists.

then I refute it in premise 1: if we define “objective” moral values as “normal” or…[Read more]

Thanks for the class,Reg! 🙂

What the Mormon fellow says isn’t by itself unreasonable. However, it also neglects that in fact religion does venture into the arena of science. In fact, his religion is pretty notorious for claiming it’s holy text has a true account of life among the ancient Americans, though science says otherwise. So yes, science is not the be all end all, but…[Read more]

Thank you Reg!!!!!!!! Have a great week 🙂

Many Christians can see secular attempts to curtail religious privileges that allow for discrimination against other citizens (“The Religious Freedom Act”), as an attack on their faith. It is also true that Muslim fundamentalists see any intolerance of their creed and laws as an attack on their faith. This is where the nonsense word “Is…[Read more]

Glad to see articles like this, just as a reminder that there are people trying to reform the practice of Islam.

Muslim Reformers Versus Islam Apologists: A Brief Field Guide

https://conatusnews.com/muslim-reformers-versus-islam-apologists/

Thanks, Reg!

Have a great week everyone!!

If religious instruction were not allowed until the child had attained the age of reason, we would be living in a quite different world. Christopher Hitchens.