re: #33 cenotaphium

In case you went to bed, I’d just like to add that the desperate need for absolutes is one of the most depressing things about fundamentalism, to me. It’s the trusty steed of any creationist debate, the true seed of “atheist evil” - moral relativism, ooga-booga!
Which conveniently neglects to acknowledge long traditions of “non-absolute-requiring” moral philosophy.

It’s easy to run into hurdles with the absolutism too. There are people who, in the classic case of hiding jews in the attic during WWII, insist they would have to tell the nazi patrols the truth, as not to break a “never lie” rule. Or the buddhist insistence on “no violence”, which served them less than great in Tibet against China.
To me, it’s missing the forest for the trees. Which is the very heart of fundamentalism. Absolute rules make for an easier life than one where you have to evaluate every situation and take personal responsibility for your choice.

_{Yes, that rant had been building steam earlier. ;)
Unless you actually are a fundamentalist, that was mostly tangential to the argument you presented - which is what I object to.}