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God, humbug: Humanist holiday ads say just be good - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081112/ap_on_re_us/rel_godless_holidays;_ylt=AvHNOIHyUdcVnuXaWFK2hEas 0NUE - broken link)
I like their message.
I remember reading once, "Morality is not doing the right thing because you're afraid of being punished, that's called sucking up."
I read a similar news clip posted by someone on another thread. There has been a long debate about morality (How do atheists define morality), I don't know if you have read any of it or not. Can you comment on that bilboard "God probably doesn't exist, so stop worrying and enjoy life" What were they implying that people worry about? Are they saying that believing in God = unenjoyable existence?
Location: In the North Idaho woods, still surrounded by terriers
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I think, Tic, that most non-Christians see Christianity as a religion based on fear and worry: I must please God or I will spend eternity in hell, I will be left behind when the rapture comes, I will have to go through tribulation and horror during the End Times, etc etc etc...while non-Christians pretty much realize that we reap what we sow. We are responsible for our own actions and "karma" (so to speak), that no god is going to throw us into a fiery hell, no great rapture is going to come sweep away only the faithful (making many Christians very worried about their faith), and that there are no End Times to fear when we will be persecuted and tortured for our faith.
Christians spend their lives walking on egg-shells...or so it seemed to me when I tried for so many years to accept Christianity myself. Now, assured that whatever created this universe is not out to demand my allegiance, I live a much more peaceful and fulfilled life.
I believe that God and Religion serve as excuses to do some pretty evil things, like denying rights to people because they are different from you. Whether that's gay rights here in the states, Palestinian rights in Israel or the rights of Muslim women, it's all immoral because they are using religion to deny people the freedoms they deserve.
I on the other hand, volunteer with poor kids at local rec centers, I always hold the door open for strangers, I go back to the cashier to tell them when they undercharge me and feel immense guilt any time I do anything even remotely bad, even if it's accidentally knocking an heirloom off the shelf while cleaning. Am I immoral because I don't believe in a magical fairy in the sky or a fiery pit awaiting me when I die?
This should be the precept we all live by and I can't think of a more perfect and succinct way to describe what should be a universally recognised Philosophy regardless of race, creed, sexuality...
That an of course "first do no harm" !
All summed up beautifully and simply. Just perfect !
This should be the precept we all live by and I can't think of a more perfect and succinct way to describe what should be a universally recognised Philosophy regardless of race, creed, sexuality...
That an of course "first do no harm" !
All summed up beautifully and simply. Just perfect !
Yep! I figure, I formed my 'morals' by looking at the world around me, not just my own family, city, state or country, but all over. After long consideration I think I have my morals pretty well defined, but as a logical person I'm always changing when I decide I was incorrect or my mind realizes something more profound I figure, I know my morals and I didn't have to learn them from a book.
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