DLL
Very interesting and very tough questions. It is tough because you(generally speaking) can be both right and wrong depending on point of view.
For example, strength in numbers. Yes that can definitely be true. It may even be true more often than not. However, like your example of Santeria, there are examples where it isnt true. There are many examples of mob mentality, in religion and outside of it, where just the opposite is true.
Yes morality is needed. Yes, many people have many different ideas of what constitutes morality(just look at the discussions regarding homosexuality on this thread for example) How do arrive a t a central moral authority? the bible? Many people who believe in other religions
and are from other cultures would disagree with that. they believe just as fervently that their ideals are correct as you do. With any central moral authority you run the risk of social totalitarianism.
Amuch simpler and hopefully more effective method, IMO, is guiding your actions based on weather they are loved based or not. With complete respect and tolerance for otheres opinions and rights.
Ther are examples of using the Bible as a code of morality and it can
have mixed results. The problem becomes the people who are in charge of enforcing those biblically inspired morals. the possibility of a Spanish inquisition or Crusades. (to avoid flaming, let me reiterate that I said it was the fault of the people inforcing those beliefs, not the beliefs themselves)
Mark |
