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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (52545)	7/6/2002 4:50:10 PM
From: epicure	Respond to of 82486

You also heard it from me. I've often said it is dangerous to those of us who DO think life is a big deal, that people who think it is not can rise to positions over us- or use their opinions to justify getting rid of people who may see the whole thing quite differently. While being more respectful of life, because it may be the only time we have to exist, does no harm to anyone that I can think of, thinking the whole thing is no big deal could have very negative consequences.

To: Lane3 who wrote (52545)	7/6/2002 5:36:47 PM
From: J. C. Dithers	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

for the believing Christian, death is no big deal. Yes, that quotation can be mocked with reference to suicide bombers. Yet, isn't there is a more profound side to it? In a world ruled and animated by pure rationality ... could it ever make sense for anyone to sacrifice their life for another? We have heard stories, and some are true, of soldiers throwing themselves upon a grenade to save their comrades in a foxhole. For the Christian who believes that "Greater love hath no man but to lay down his life for another," this is an act of faith and morality (as it is for believers in other religions). But what is it for the rational humanist? Can it be anything other than an act of madness? Of stupidity? A reflection of a latent death wish in a disturbed mind? From the standpoint of logic and rationality, could any circumstance be thought of wherein it would make sense for one person to give up his or her life for that of another? How could it be argued that any other life is more valuable than one's own? And if we look for an answer through the lens of rationality ... would it make for a better world?