Moralizing vs. Compassion

[robvalue]

Thank you

Yes, I like to lead by example. The last thing I want is people thinking atheists are out to cause arguments for no good reason. Although she invited questions, I could tell she wouldn't be prepared for, or want, the kind of questions I had. It almost certainly wouldn't have achieved anything except embarrassing several people.

I much prefer debating on the forums here, where people have much more willingly put themselves forwards to discuss things. And the biggest factor is that loads of lurkers are bound to read what we write, whether or not it has any impact on who we are debating.

[Kingpin]

Thank you

Yes, I like to lead by example. The last thing I want is people thinking atheists are out to cause arguments for no good reason. Although she invited questions, I could tell she wouldn't be prepared for, or want, the kind of questions I had. It almost certainly wouldn't have achieved anything except embarrassing several people.

I much prefer debating on the forums here, where people have much more willingly put themselves forwards to discuss things. And the biggest factor is that loads of lurkers are bound to read what we write, whether or not it has any impact on who we are debating.

Very well said as usual Rob.  I prefer this medium for "debating" as we have time to process and think about our responses.  Quite often in face to face scenarios our emotions can get the better of us and what we mean sincerely and respectfully can quickly derail to vitriol.  There are some that can keep composure and have calm discourse about tough topics, but when discussing topics such as religion, quite often they are very personal and real emotions are invoked while discussing and this medium is better lent to a more thoughtful discussion where we can simply take 15 minutes to rationally respond.  

Of course, there are those who prefer using this medium to expel those emotions and vitriol without the worry of facing those they are hurting.

[MTL]

Thank you

Yes, I like to lead by example. The last thing I want is people thinking atheists are out to cause arguments for no good reason. Although she invited questions, I could tell she wouldn't be prepared for, or want, the kind of questions I had. It almost certainly wouldn't have achieved anything except embarrassing several people.

I much prefer debating on the forums here, where people have much more willingly put themselves forwards to discuss things. And the biggest factor is that loads of lurkers are bound to read what we write, whether or not it has any impact on who we are debating.

Well said, indeed.

And as usual, more succinctly than I ever manage to.

[robvalue]

Thank you my friends

[bennyboy]

Actually, I wasn't even presuming such a selfless individual would be Christian, or a Theist at all.

In fact, I have sort of adopted this philosophy as my own, in life, as an Agnostic/Anti-Theist.

Agreed. I think anywhere someone starts considering the concept of the greater good, he/she will realize that by helping many others at the expense of the self, a greater good will be achieved.

I have always experienced a type of guilt about being paid well or getting a promotion,
or getting anything that someone else may perhaps "deserve" more than I do,
and I have self-sabotaged my own success, at times, driven by that guilt.

Meh, if it's not you, it's the guy next to you. There's no real greater good in that, I think.

Being able to sleep at night, with a clear conscience, is worth something,
and it would be far preferable to be able to do so without having to be in the poorhouse to accomplish it.

No doubt.

I'm not preaching asceticism. I'm just saying that it's definitely possible for one to almost totally abandon the needs of the self in favor of philosophical or religious ideals.