The Perfect Religious Doctrine

[The Reality Salesman01]

Being accepting and humble tend to be two of the most commonly undervalued traits within the western religions.

[brewer]

Problem with number 1, 4 and 6. Define "conscious creature".

[The Reality Salesman01]

...I don't know how it'll be defined, but I figure that at some point, AI will probably develop a taste for the same things that we've come to expect. I'm not sure how you'd define it, but it seems necessary to phrase it that way.

[Aroura]

Have compassion for all living things
Be humble
Use moderation and frugality
Question everything

[Aroura]

Being accepting and humble tend to be two of the most commonly undervalued traits within the western religions.

I agree.  Accepting what is and having humility are deeply important in eastern ones, and although there are some phrases in the bible pointing to both of these, westerners seem to ignore them, for the most part.

Probably because they are actually harder to practice, lol.  Accepting what is require constant practice.  Humility is also supremely difficult to put into practice, but it is desperately important to do so if one ever hopes to actually be able to truly have compassion for others.

Cool thread btw.

[The Reality Salesman01]

Have compassion for all living things
Be humble
Use moderation and frugality
Question everything

I suppose I could conscious creatures and substitute it with living creatures. I'm just thinking of how hyper-focused Jainism is on avoiding any and all violence toward living things. If I said "unnecessary violence" then we'd be splitting hairs all day about whether or not we actually have to eat animals, or worse, we'd wander into an even more uninteresting debate over salad and whether or not lettuce is alive before we kill it. I figure, all worthwhile considerations of good/bad seem to depend on consciousness in some capacity, or at least, the potential for being conscious; how we define it is a bit sketchy. I just can't think of any discussion of morality/ethics that doesn't in some way revolve around consciousness.

Even dog lovers (I am one), at their core, feel as though there is enough behind those big brown eyes on a mastiff when you've had a shitty day to warrant consideration for the likelihood of a consciousness of some kind. We may be anthropomorphizing, but it's through a connection with the animal as something more than a rock that qualifies them worthy of a higher quality of life...even if they secretly don't even like us. Delusional as it may be, the sense of potential consciousness is there for animal lovers, and I think that's what triggers an intuitive emotional and ethical responsibility to them. So, I think all things that fall under this umbrella should be considered when practicing this Atheist's guide to not being a dick. IMO.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

The Two Commandments Of Borudism

1. Thou shalt be indifferent to thy neighbour's religion, choice of spouse, taste in the arts, political leanings, and all else that is thy neighbour's.

2. See Commandment #1.

Boru

[brewer]

Have compassion for all living things
Be humble
Use moderation and frugality
Question everything

I don't have compassion for cane toads down under. There are others.

[Aroura]

Have compassion for all living things
Be humble
Use moderation and frugality
Question everything

I don't have compassion for cane toads down under. There are others.

Well, maybe a better word would be connection?  Or respect? Because you may not like that animal, but they are part of the web of life and all that.
It isn't much different from the destruction people caused by killing wolves, or insects, or what have you. :  They seem like a pest, but we NEED them, because without them, other things we do need cannot survive.

[Aroura]

Have compassion for all living things
Be humble
Use moderation and frugality
Question everything

I suppose I could conscious creatures and substitute it with living creatures. I'm just thinking of how hyper-focused Jainism is on avoiding any and all violence toward living things. If I said "unnecessary violence" then we'd be splitting hairs all day about whether or not we actually have to eat animals, or worse, we'd wander into an even more uninteresting debate over salad and whether or not lettuce is alive before we kill it. I figure, all worthwhile considerations of good/bad seem to depend on consciousness in some capacity, or at least, the potential for being conscious; how we define it is a bit sketchy. I just can't think of any discussion of morality/ethics that doesn't in some way revolve around consciousness.

Even dog lovers (I am one), at their core, feel as though there is enough behind those big brown eyes on a mastiff when you've had a shitty day to warrant consideration for the likelihood of a consciousness of some kind. We may be anthropomorphizing, but it's through a connection with the animal as something more than a rock that qualifies them worthy of a higher quality of life...even if they secretly don't even like us. Delusional as it may be, the sense of potential consciousness is there for animal lovers, and I think that's what triggers an intuitive emotional and ethical responsibility to them. So, I think all things that fall under this umbrella should be considered when practicing this Atheist's guide to not being a dick. IMO.

As I just said to Mr Brewer, perhaps respect would be better?  Because respect does not mean not to kill it, if necessary.  Sometimes we need to kill bacteria, but sometimes we need to protect them, depending on the kind.

Perhaps respect for the balance of nature?  I'm not sure how to phrase it either.  I'm not PITA, I don't mean don't eat anything that casts a shadow, lol.  I just mean, like if you need to eat fish, don't take more than you need.  Don't have 5 kids when there isn't enough food for everyone to begin with.  Don't kill bugs just because they creep you out.  Because when you kill the spider your house will be overrun with flies.  Do you know what I'm trying to say?  I'm not sure how to make it a short, clear statement.