What IS good, and how do we determine it?

[Huggy Bear]

Or are you moving the goal posts.

Post the scripture again if you'd be so kind, so everyone can see.

I posted the scripture in the thread, and in fact I linked back to that exact post yesterday, in response to your initial claim. Like I said, whether you agree with my interpretation of the verse or not- and you christians are oh so into interpreting scriptures- claiming that I simply didn't post it is nothing more than a lie.

In fact, even within the first thread, you'd said I'd yet to post that verse, days after I'd originally posted it.

This is a different thread, and a couple of post back you implied that I misrepresented you, so if you don't mind, post that particular scripture here.

[Longhorn]

This is a different thread,

Look who's fucking talking -_-

[smax]

Morality is a product of selfish interest. It's the most obvious natural instinct we have.

[Easy Guns]

This is kind of a spinoff of the WHY BE GOOD thread.

The question I have for atheists, isn't "why by good." I think it's simplistic and deeply flawed to think that the only reason to "be good" is to avoid Hell. And of course, I believe that anyone can be a good person regardless of beliefs.

The question I have for atheists is how do we know what IS good?

Religious or not, we all somehow know that certain things are intrinsically, universally immoral. Let's use murder as an obvious example. So if murder is wrong, where did this law come from? If this is a universal truth, where did this truth come from and who/what determined it to be what it is?

I think you'll find many things that help/have helped us survive as a species over the last 200,000 years correlate very well with what we deem to be socially and morally acceptable.

1. Don't kill people for fun (bad for species)
2. War is sometimes justified (protection of the "clan" for survival)
3. Don't screw your siblings (bad for the gene pool)


Etc, etc

Certainly not the ONLY answer, but our evolution has a lot to do with our morals.

[Esquilax]

This is a different thread, and a couple of post back you implied that I misrepresented you, so if you don't mind, post that particular scripture here.

A link to that scripture has been in this thread for the better part of a day now: page 216, directly after you initially claimed that I'd never posted a scripture that I felt supported that claim.

[Randy Carson]

I understand, Jenny. I read how Dawkins got into hot water over tweets to this effect.

My point was simply to illustrate that just as "Atheists Condone Rape" is a silly accusation, the idea that God condones rape is even more stupid.

Ah, so if someone said the punishment for raping a women should be to get to marry her if she'd prefer being married to being stoned to death, they wouldn't be condoning rape?

Jenny-

I started a reply, but erased it in order to make sure we are speaking of the same verses. To which are you referring specifically?

Thanks.

BTW - have you noticed that no one is screaming obscenities at you at CA?

[Randy Carson]

Ah, so if someone said the punishment for raping a women should be to get to marry her if she'd prefer being married to being stoned to death, they wouldn't be condoning rape?

It sounds like Randy is admitting that it was rape or why bring the Sam Harris quote up?

No, I was simply illustrating absurdity with absurdity.

[Randy Carson]

I am still wondering why he does not take the A&E literally.

The Catholic Church does not teach that Gen 1-3 must be taken literally - though one may do so if that is your preference.

There are many styles of writing in the bible: history, poetry, allegory, biography, apocalypse, etc.

It's helpful to know which is which.

[Randy Carson]

...the idea that God condones rape is even more stupid.

Let's revue some facts. The Bible, best selling book of all time, was authored or inspired by God. No? The Bible clearly depicts this God character ordering rape. Yet you say God condoning rape is stupid.

Let me guess Randy, God told the vanquishers to keep virgin girls because of their superior knitting skills.

Your eisegesis is required by your presuppositions.

[Randy Carson]

OF COURSE I WAS MAKING A POINT.

Does anyone in their right minds think Sam Harris actually condones rape?

My post illustrated the absurdity of all those saying similar things about God.

Whoa. I never expected anyone to miss that...I need to lower my estimation of the group and quick.

Do you ever get tired of your flawed comparisons? They don't make sense to the rest of the world.

You mean saying that this thing that can't be shown to exist, who allegedly inspired a book that tells raped women they have to marry their rapist and be continually raped condones rape is the same as saying that a fully existent person whose existence can be easily demonstrated condones rape when that person hasn't said anything to indicate it.

Brilliant. I see your side now.

And are you implying Sam Harris is our version of a god? Because, no.

I implied nothing of the sort.