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

To: Neocon who wrote (55363)	8/26/2002 9:44:47 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

"intrinsically automata" I could explain this in gradient fashion so I will not presume to know precisely what you intend by the words. You seem to be suggesting that freedom of choice, responsibility, and doing ones best to discern the right is incompatible with the free choice of atheism; or, from another angle: using free choice to CHOOSE atheism will create a universe where people are intrinsically automata. I take it that you have no particular knowledge of a "moral center" that HAS TO BE OBEYED (I believe you said); so may I assume that you are a decent person simply on the basis that you CHOOSE to be benevolent and decent? I cannot imagine you choosing to be hateful merely because you found out you were not in the laboratory of a powerful being. I cannot imagine that your compassion, empathy, and benevolence is secured by some extra-wordly consideration. You have a son. Would your love be any the less if you did not believe in God? I am not trying to be disputatious with you; but it seems to be an important point. If atheism is ultimately antithetical to the humanity of man...it ought to be opposed by all decent people who hope for the ascension of benevolence and the transcendence of the brutal. Certainly, I would oppose it wholeheartedly if there were evidence that it was corrosive of the general mores of human relationships. But in truth I am led to an opposite conclusion. Indeed, even were I convinced of a God, I would oppose what I deemed to be ugly and brutal. Anyone or anything can and has been passed off as a God. As moral human beings with good hearts we must judge all pretenders to the supernatural throne. We must compare their claims to what we know to be good and right; and we must reject all gods of prejudice and self interest. So even if you wish to believe in a "God", you will judge Him by the moral standards of your own and your fellows...won't you?