The Afterlife

nathanbforrest45 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by migueld

Religion is the oldest form of government..what better way to get people to do what you want then to tell them that if they did not, then they would burn in hell?....forever

So, you are saying that morality is a fraud made up simply to keep the masses in check?

Does that mean if I wanted to hold slaves and had the power to do so that would be moral?

Heckler · #12 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbforrest45

Ah, that is the question is it not? Who does decide what is right and wrong. If you sincerely believe your statement t hat its the rich and powerful then you believe that "might makes right". This philosophical belief is what gave us Hitler. He was a strong follower of Nietchze.

When did I say I suppor the current method of making law for society?
I do NOT support might makes right, just suggesting that is how it currently happens......

Quote:

If there is no universal truth is being "moral" meaningful? You said your morality is do no harm to another. What if my morality was "Do nothing that would stop me from doing what I would want"?

Then I wouldn't like you very much, and would probably steer clear of you!

People DO have different moralities, sometimes none. Do I like them all? No.

Quote:

Laws do not constitute morality. For example 50 years ago it was illegal to be homosexual in many states. The entire gay rights movement started because of a police raid on the gay club Stonewall in Greenwich Village NY. Today we would not think of passing anti gay laws. In another fifty years who knows, we may be back to those laws.

No, I think there must be an outside influence controlling what is and isn't moral for all mankind.

Correct, law and morality are not equivalent. One is individual, the other is societal...IMO....

then we'll have to agree to disagree....because I see no evidence of some universal outside influence.....

As I pointed out, I'm Agnostic.....

Unfortunately, when dealing with humanity, it isn't all good!

Sieg Howdy · #13 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 06:32 PM

Organized Religion has dominated mankind since the beginning of time. Organized Religion survives because no one can ignore the afterlife; no one can ignore the afterlife because there is no one around to find out what happens. When you die, you die, and you don't get a chance to tell anyone if you get an afterlife or not.

nathanbforrest45 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 03:39 PM

I guess this topic was too intellectual for the most part

ONEWHITEDUCK · #15 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 04:06 PM

really wanted this to be a serious discussion but I see that onewhittleprick has hijacked the thread so I will withdraw.

EQUALS YOU LOSE THE ARGUEMENT :-(

rob · #16 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbforrest45

I guess this topic was too intellectual for the most part

Nate, I think that unless as humans we have a moral grounding or realise that punishment is there for those that don't follow that moral compass, then as a society we are lost.