re: #444 Cato the Elder

No, my friend. This is where we part company.

If I remember aright, you are an atheist of Jewish heritage. NTTAWWT.

The crucial question is, why does “morality” exist at all?

There may be evolutionary reasons for not murdering your kin, but what, in the “selfish gene” theory, should ever have come up with the idea that one should not kill random strangers?

Where did the idea arise that the stranger (in Greek: χενος, zenos = both “stranger” and “guest”) enjoys particular protection?

Why is there a prohibition against murder written in every human heart?

Why do Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca, and every other “religion” except maybe $cientology (which commands that thou shalt do good only unto them that can pay) command respect for the weak and powerless?

There is no possible scientific explanation for this. We see the proof every day, in that to survive in this society, the very best thing you can do is oppress and exploit the weak and powerless for your own gain.

Well, I’m going to go all hippie on you here, and leave you with a song by the Incredible String Band.

[Video]

These conversations are the best of LGF.

Onwards.

One does not need God- any god- to tell a society that murder is wrong. We can be moral without God. For society to survive and thrive, moral behavior can play a great role, with or without a religious cloak.

Religion distinguishes itself because it offers believers meaning. That is to say, your life means something beyond the hear and now, etc. Some people find that greatly comforting.

Let the beatings commence.