There are many such revelations
Setanta wrote:I have never accepted the dodge that society (individuals in the aggregate) nor the individual came become sufficiently amenable to compromise and negotiation without benefit of religion. K'ung-fu-tzu (Confucius) offered a very detailed, comprehensive picture of how one may live peacably within society without the least reference to religious dogma, and in fact, his was not even a system of behavior based upon a set of moral or ethical imperatives. It was, rather, something rather alien to European prejudices, a system of exemplification. If you believe in charity, that belief is meaningless unless you are yourself charitable in your actions.
Many, many societies have existed in which there were no moral precepts inherent in their religious beliefs (c.f., Classical Greek and Roman Republican Imperial society), or in which whatever religious beliefs may have obtained, they did not govern society (ancient pre-Christian German and Keltic tribes).
It is only a conceit of the Judeo-Christian tradition that men and women cannot have a moral compass, or an ethical system of behavior, without "the fear of God."
Indeed. And that fear is instilled primarily in the young and vulnerable, who pass it on like a virus to their kids.
Steve 41oo wrote:Indeed. And that fear is instilled primarily in the young and vulnerable, who pass it on like a virus to their kids.
Get 'em while they're young is a core precept of religious indoctrination--you've hit the nail on the head with that one.
That's probably 'cause you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
BTW, ain't seen Miss Cleo lately. She's OK, I hope.
Setanta wrote:Steve 41oo wrote:Indeed. And that fear is instilled primarily in the young and vulnerable, who pass it on like a virus to their kids.
Get 'em while they're young is a core precept of religious indoctrination--you've hit the nail on the head with that one.
Cheers mate. Terrible football result this afternoon. Still its only a game, not like eternal damnation.
