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Empathetic Rats
#1
Empathetic Rats
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/5070/...-cagemates

Quote:A new study, published in Science today, demonstrates that rats are capable of 'pro-social' or voluntary helping behaviour motivated purely by the distress of their fellow rats. This type of behaviour has not previously been observed in rodents.

Question for Christians who claim there is no morality without god-

Are these rats only behaving so morally because they're Christian rats? Is it possible that Christianity and morality aren't mutually exclusive?
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#2
RE: Empathetic Rats
The answer may be simpler.

Xtians = rats.
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#3
RE: Empathetic Rats
Don't insult the rats man. They don't have religion, or at least that of the human type.

Makes me admire them somewhat. Until they consume their own young...
Slave to the Patriarchy no more
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#4
RE: Empathetic Rats
I think rats are fascinating creatures. Used to have an albino named Lola. I got another (boy) because I wanted to breed them, but she killed him within 24 hours. She never bit me once, so he must have tried to hurt her or something? I had her for 3 years before she died... possibly of obesity. I indulged her a bit, but shit, we only live once. And she loved cheeseburgers!



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#5
RE: Empathetic Rats
Reasons to attack and kill a stranger rat vary. It could've simply been territory, over the local area or even you.

Whenever you introduce a new animal, you need to get one to accept the other. Learned this from cats and dogs. I'd leave one in the cage and have the other one given free reign over the room for an hour, then swap one out of the cage, other in. Did this for ~12 hours.

This prevented them from fighting each other, at least the second they get with in proximity of each other.

Figured that letting each other "own" the same territory would acclimate them to the other's presence.

Perhaps rats require the same technique?
Slave to the Patriarchy no more
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#6
RE: Empathetic Rats
(December 8, 2011 at 9:43 pm)Minimalist Wrote: The answer may be simpler.

Xtians = rats.

No, Rats > Xtians. Rats don't need no stinking sky bully threatening them with hell to be empathic.
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#7
RE: Empathetic Rats
(December 8, 2011 at 9:43 pm)Minimalist Wrote: The answer may be simpler.

Xtians = rats.


Warning:Godwin's Law AND offensive video


Really? I though the Nazis had clearly established rats are Jews. Thinking



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtLCrVSVaQU
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#8
RE: Empathetic Rats
Rats are fascinating. I have so much fun with mine. I think it's a little silly that they had to do a study to reach that conclusion, though.
That will never hold up in court...
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#9
RE: Empathetic Rats
You know, that supports the fact that morality (to be considerate of others, helpful) is entirely natural to social animals. Thus proving that morality doesn't come from religion.

Xtians are gonna hate that! They love thinking themselves as having the 'moral high ground'. That feeling of being superior to others sort of thing. Kinda brings'em back down to earth.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence - Carl Sagan

Mankind's intelligence walks hand in hand with it's stupidity.

Being an atheist says nothing about your overall intelligence, it just means you don't believe in god. Atheists can be as bright as any scientist and as stupid as any creationist.

You never really know just how stupid someone is, until you've argued with them.
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#10
RE: Empathetic Rats
(December 9, 2011 at 8:05 pm)Ace Otana Wrote: You know, that supports the fact that morality (to be considerate of others, helpful) is entirely natural to social animals. Thus proving that morality doesn't come from religion.

Xtians are gonna hate that! They love thinking themselves as having the 'moral high ground'. That feeling of being superior to others sort of thing. Kinda brings'em back down to earth.

Try telling that to Egor. :p
That will never hold up in court...
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