We're all hypocrites in one way or another. We have ideals, but we are restrained by being human and having limited resources. All we can do is our best. Just because we can't get all the way there, every bit counts and is always preferable to not trying at all.

I agree, I know the bug should be put down. It's the right thing to do. The times it has come up, I've not been able to will myself, I would need to train myself to break that barrier. If it was occurring frequently enough, I'd have to do that.

How anyone can ever intentionally harm another person or animal, and not for their overall benefit, is just astounding to me.

My morals come from my feelings about things. I don't like harming others, and don't wish to be harmed. Therefore, I consider those things wrong.

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(April 11, 2015 at 8:41 pm)robvalue Wrote: How anyone can ever intentionally harm another person or animal, and not for their overall benefit, is just astounding to me.

That's great!  I'm a vegetarian, also.

Excellent How many veggies/vegans do we have here I wonder?

(April 12, 2015 at 1:34 am)robvalue Wrote: Excellent How many veggies/vegans do we have here I wonder?

I'm vegan, except when I'm sitting in front of Indian food.

Lol cool!

I'm vegan too.

In all seriousness I hate labels. Labels do not automatically make someone moral, not even the word "atheist" or "humanist", those are positions, not behaviors.

In evolution both cooperation and force work. Both compassion and cruelty work. These are behaviors our species has always displayed and will always display regardless of who the majorities and minorities are. I do not think it is wise for even atheists to think we are immune to, or above natural reality in evolution.

I only agree that viewing the world naturally without comic book explanations will give us better answers as to the nature of reality.

"Atheist" is not a moral code. It is not a political party. It is not a worldview. It is not a religion. It is not a loyalty oath. "Atheist" merely means "off" or "empty" on the issue of god claims. Outside that core position even atheists vary in their politics, economic views, classes, education levels, and behaviors.

I have run into atheists who are gun nutters. I have run into atheists who value Ayn Rand's "fuck you I got mine" economics. I have run into other atheists who stupidly think Che's "get rid of the private sector" economics that lead to Cuba, is possible on a planet of 7 billion. I have also run into atheists while rejecting standard god woo, have their own new age woo. I have run into atheists who buy conspiracy crap like 9/11 and JFK.

It is easy for our species to get stuck in the moment, regardless of label, and for get that "majority, vs minority" are time frame and geographical issues, but the reality ultimately is that we are still the same species. I warn even atheists not to think "When we become the majority we will treat you better". No, that sounds nice but we won't be alive 100 years from now to insure the behavior of those who will be alive after we die.

It is not saying give religion a pass, just merely saying atheists should not be mimicking religion or chasing their own political utopias either. There never has been a utopia and there never will be for any label.

(April 12, 2015 at 1:34 am)robvalue Wrote: Excellent How many veggies/vegans do we have here I wonder?

That would make me ever so much more comfortable with you, Rob, if we should ever survive a crash landing on a remote mountain top far from any food source.  Sadly it would also make me more reluctant to leave the choice of eating establishment up to you if ever we get together over a meal.  

Don't be a Cunt.

Unless of course you want the world to give you a hard time

(April 12, 2015 at 8:09 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: Don't be a Cunt.

Unless of course you want the world to give you a hard time

Too much of a blanket solution. It depends on context of situation. I most certainly will be a "cunt" to religious bigotry and religious sexism. But no, I have no desire to pass laws or oppress religious people. Human rights are a separate issue than the credibility of a claim. Humans have rights, but ideas by themselves should never get blind value, even if we value the right to make the claim.

Family, society, a bit of self, and the last bit from the Bible in recent years.

Mind you, the Bible has had a lot of impact on the secular laws of my society as well to the point it may even be hard to actually distinguish where one inspiration begins and the other ends.