Question for Atheists and maybe those who believe in God. - Page 4

frank_iii · #31 03-16-2005, 01:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'd be happier if God just offered me the 25 grand risk free,

[/ QUOTE ]

How many raked hands?

frank_iii · #32 03-16-2005, 01:32 PM

By the way, why are people beginning with the assumption that "right" and "wrong" exist as legitimate concepts? Furthermore, why is there the assumption that doing "wrong" would be the natural inclination without a set of rules leading otherwise?

Girchuck · #33 03-16-2005, 02:00 PM

I don't think, the system will crumble because someone had an opportunity to steal risk-free.
It is much more likely that the system will adjust, so that this particular opportunity disappears. The society has its ways of enforcing the rules important for its survival.

Girchuck · #34 03-16-2005, 02:19 PM

Some crimes have huge consequences, like murder for example.
Crimes with big consequences generate strong response from the enforcement agencies. At the present, the enforcement agencies are much stronger and at least somewhat smarter than vast majority of criminals. Therefore, assuming that one will not be caught for a serious crime, is likely a mistake. But getting caught is not the only consideration. A mere suspicion will often be enough to ruin a reputation. In a wealthy and ordered society, good reputation is likely worth more than proceeds of a random crime.

PotatoStew · #35 03-16-2005, 03:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
but this is true of any belief system, including atheism

[/ QUOTE ]

Atheism is a belief system in the same way that baldness is a hairstyle.

noggindoc · #36 03-16-2005, 03:39 PM

maybe the best post in this thread!

dr_venkman · #37 03-16-2005, 03:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If you do not believe in God, what factors influence you to not do things that are deemed evil, or wrong by people that believe in God?

[/ QUOTE ]

"Where you are now you can't even imagine what the bottom looks like". ~Tyler Durden

Why do I get the sense that this is the way every Christian missionary has been born for the last 1500 years? It starts out as an innocent question, then evolves into a "natural curiosity", and then morphs into full all out dementia.

Why do people who don't believe in God do such horrible, nasty things in the world! Someone needs to fill a Galleon with cannons, crucifixes and holy water and spread the word! Honestly, if those savages could just read the bible...

Or maybe I'm just the cynical type who has fed up with people trying to distill religion down into some camphor that they can apply to the world and make everything all better again in place of plain old, garden-variety common sense, empathy and generosity.

Religion is a dangerous, corrupt tool. One day people are going to realize morality and religion as being two seperate things. I don't do "evil" things because I don't want to hurt anyone, as I would not have anyone hurt me. Period.

But that's more a guideline than a rule, so don't come knocking on my door 8am Saturday morning with the Watchtower in hand or I might forget my better nature.

mythrilfox · #38 03-16-2005, 04:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Ok.

Religion, ethics and law are pretty much ad hoc concepts. People do not commit crimes because

A. the risk/reward ratio is not acceptable to them

or

B. they have the mental skills needed to make a wise risk/reward judgement.

Any reasons beyond these are probably anomalies.

/twang

[/ QUOTE ]

Suppose your best friend had a brand-new, spankin' SNES. With Chrono Trigger still in the set and everything. Suppose you could steal it without him ever finding out it was you.

The risk/reward ratio is mathematically and precisely zero.

Would you do it?

DiceyPlay · #39 03-16-2005, 05:05 PM

At a macro level I believe:

If humans are naturally evil the human race will self-destruct ... it's only a matter of time.

If humans are naturally good the human race will one day be just like the aliens exploring the universe ... it's only a matter of time.

God has nothing to do with it. Neither does the devil. I'm not sure about El Diablo though [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

For me, I can't say if a God exists for certain. And I don't lie, cheat, or steal from anyone ever! Lieing and stealing at the poker table is different.

Reef · #40 03-16-2005, 05:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
is there anything "wrong" with it in a metaphsical cosmic sense? No

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. Here's why:

[ QUOTE ]
it's no more wrong than a Lion killing the cubs of another Lion's because it wants the female to have it's cubs instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't classify humans and animals in the same "category". The murder of a human is COMPLETELY different from the murder of an animal. I really don't want to have to bust out any of my Ethics 301.