Fundies on attack!

SLAM: debunk creationism, pseudoscience, and superstitions. Discuss logic and morality.

Moderator: Alyrium Denryle

weemadando
SMAKIBBFB
Posts: 19195
Joined: 2002-07-28 12:30pm
Contact:

Post by weemadando »

Can someone who is registered at e-Team, post a new topic?

Topic:

Morality without religion

Body:

Its a common misconception amongst even the more moderate of religious people, that a person without religious beliefs has no basis for moral decisions. This is to say that they have no morals whatsoever without religion to define them.

Why is it not possible for people to gain moral education from other facets of society, such as the law or even prevailing cultural beliefs? Indeed, there are millions of people who are raised in a secular manner and can function within society successfully.

And if religion is a grounds for morality, then why do religious people commit crimes? Surely only atheists would commit crimes if relgion was the key to morality?

Well? What makes people believe that religion is the only way to morality.
User avatar
drachefly
Jedi Master
Posts: 1323
Joined: 2004-10-13 12:24pm

Post by drachefly »

You phrase it as a question. A statement would be more fitting. As it stands, you're inviting them to answer the weakest arguments presented, rather than the strongest -- and there are some weak statements there to be tackled.

In particular, 'why do religious people commit crimes'.

Keep in mind there are two elements:

1) how do we know what is moral?
2) how do we keep ourselves acting in this fashion?

The second seems to be what you are addressing; but the religious argument is centered on the first.
User avatar
Surlethe
HATES GRADING
Posts: 12267
Joined: 2004-12-29 03:41pm

Post by Surlethe »

Update:

Four of the people from the "invasion" have remained, it seems, for the long haul:
  • me -- surlethe (who'd'a thunk it?)
    drachefly -- Guessed
    Zadius -- ravingatheist
    Nickolay1 -- Unfettered
So far, talk has pretty much gone in circles, pissing each other off. The main reason I brought this thread back was to notify: anyone who wishes to observe fundamentalists attack a liberal Christian, look no further than the bottom and second page of this thread: ++http://eteamrevolution.net/boards/viewtopic.php?t=447

Zadius and Nickolay1 have toned down their posting, and managed not to get banned. Guessed and I have remained rather polite, and mostly nonconfrontational.

A few other threads of interest:

++http://eteamrevolution.net/boards/viewt ... &start=220
++http://eteamrevolution.net/boards/viewtopic.php?t=558

I can also post WeeMadAndo's question, if he still wants it posted.
A Government founded upon justice, and recognizing the equal rights of all men; claiming higher authority for existence, or sanction for its laws, that nature, reason, and the regularly ascertained will of the people; steadily refusing to put its sword and purse in the service of any religious creed or family is a standing offense to most of the Governments of the world, and to some narrow and bigoted people among ourselves.
F. Douglass
nickolay1
Jedi Knight
Posts: 553
Joined: 2005-05-25 12:42am
Location: Marietta, GA

Post by nickolay1 »

It appears that you have my confused with somebody else. I gave up over one week ago due to the decline of my free time and the inclination to debate/reason with blocks of cellulose fibers bound by lignin. I was also discouraged by the systematic removal of my posts when I launched fusillades against rabid fundies.
nickolay1
Jedi Knight
Posts: 553
Joined: 2005-05-25 12:42am
Location: Marietta, GA

Post by nickolay1 »

Oops, that should have been "me." Will a moderator please fix it?
User avatar
Zadius
Jedi Knight
Posts: 713
Joined: 2005-07-18 10:09pm
Location: Quad-Cities, Iowa, USA

Post by Zadius »

nickolay1 wrote:It appears that you have my confused with somebody else. I gave up over one week ago due to the decline of my free time and the inclination to debate/reason with blocks of cellulose fibers bound by lignin. I was also discouraged by the systematic removal of my posts when I launched fusillades against rabid fundies.
So, you're not Unfettered? Or you are but stopped posting.
Image
nickolay1
Jedi Knight
Posts: 553
Joined: 2005-05-25 12:42am
Location: Marietta, GA

Post by nickolay1 »

Nope, and I left before he even arrived.
User avatar
Surlethe
HATES GRADING
Posts: 12267
Joined: 2004-12-29 03:41pm

Post by Surlethe »

nickolay1 wrote:It appears that you have my confused with somebody else. I gave up over one week ago due to the decline of my free time and the inclination to debate/reason with blocks of cellulose fibers bound by lignin. I was also discouraged by the systematic removal of my posts when I launched fusillades against rabid fundies.
Oh; my apologies. Is anyone here "Unfettered"?
A Government founded upon justice, and recognizing the equal rights of all men; claiming higher authority for existence, or sanction for its laws, that nature, reason, and the regularly ascertained will of the people; steadily refusing to put its sword and purse in the service of any religious creed or family is a standing offense to most of the Governments of the world, and to some narrow and bigoted people among ourselves.
F. Douglass
Post Reply