(July 19, 2019 at 11:03 pm)BryanS Wrote:(July 19, 2019 at 1:05 pm)Aegon Wrote: What about a situation where one has a blend of their own morals from experience and the Bible, and is aware that they are doing that? What about those who recognize it is possible to be good for goodness sake while simultaneously saying that it has a basis in their faith? I don't know, it feels like you're oversimplifying both the Bible and morality.
The Bible is quite explicit about morality coming from the authority of god (Moses's tablets delivered from Mt Sainai, and Jesus's sermon on the mount delivered in homage to that act). Indeed, if there is a morality that is independent from what any god says (as atheists argue) then what need for god? A Christian such as you describe has essentially decided to do away with any need for god.
Often times, such a Christian who has their own morality separate from their faith will selectively call on authority of their faith to insist on a morality that is in conflict with society's evolving mores. Everyone knew homosexuality was morally wrong, and the Bible seemed to agree. From the Bible, one can learn just how a master is to treat his slaves. And the Bible is quite clear about the subservient roll wives must have to their husbands. The religiously devout are often the last to acknowledge changing morality, and the Bible and resulting Christian faith deserves much of the blame.
(July 19, 2019 at 1:24 pm)Brian37 Wrote: I wouldn't limit "a la carte" to Christianity. It owns no patent on that. Every religion, bar none, has sub sects under the same umbrella label that do not agree with the other interpretations of the other sects of that same religion.
I of course agree, but just arguing the Christian angle since that appears to be my audience at the moment. This is an attribute of religion in general.
Your audience at the moment yes. But worldwide history is far bigger than one moment in time, or one location on the planet.
If we are willing to accept we are all the same species, which is the good part of liberals, even liberal theists, then humans would do better to focus on the fact we are the same species, and not let, even well intended liberals let conservative bullies hide behind their fearful sales pitch.
It is also worth noting, that not even among atheist we have 100% agreement 100% all the time, we do not.
I have met atheists whom support Che, the revolutionary whom lead to Castro's Cuba, which ironically Cuba is not an Atheist nation, it is a majority Catholic. I have met other atheists whom support the Ayan Rand "Atlas Shrugged" <----"Fuck you I got mine" economics. I don't like Cuba or Stalin's Russia, as much as I don't like the exploitation policies that lead to our Great Depression and Bush's Great recession.
Humans are the same species, we always have been. We all want the same things, but argue over who should control our resources.