Quite simply, morals can exist quite well without religion. It is easy to
accept that the police may need, on occasion, shoot people. Abortion is not
moral decay. In many cases, it saves mothers lives, or protects her from
carrying to term a fetus that couldn't survive outside the womb. In the case
of abortion as birth control, that's just an example of stupidity and a poor
education, religion couldn't do any good there.
The gun control issue is one deep in the fibre of many Americans. I suppose
that our relatively recent background as a country with a wild frontier
started it, but is has become just a political tool. Politicians from all
sides try to inflame voters to one side of an issue. Bad, bad, bad. Same
goes for Fox News commentators. Screaming at people equals ratings.
-----Original Message-----
From: r.burnette@xxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 3:34 PM
To: Olympus Camera Discussion
Cc: Mike Lazzari
Subject: Re: [OM] Too close to home
Moral philosophy = the study of human conduct and values (Merriam-Webster
dictionary)
Mike, why are sanctity of life values limited to a religious tradition or
conviction? Is not respect for life a common philosophical issue? A survival
issue? Not all human values have a religious base. But in our nation this
had been the traditional values base until around the 1960's. Law and
religion brought order, moral values, and expectations which shaped our
nation and "tamed" the anarchic Old West. Since the 1960's we have seen our
society become more profane, more narcissistic, more greedy. Our moral base
has eroded. As an 80 year old, I have watched this creeping "decay" with
deep sorrow.
Personal and group morals are critical elements of social order. Morals
shape our lives and guide our behaviors. Don't we classify amoral people as
sociopaths?
My abortion point was that we tend to pick and choose when it comes to which
killings are, or are not, acceptable to us and to the society at large. If
abortion on demand is not an example of moral decay in our society, then
what is it? Over 53,000,000 deaths! I wonder if China, with their one child
policy, comes close to that number. And we are supposed to be a civilized
country?
I firmly believe that the entire gun control issue is a diversion to
distract the populace from more important issues.
---- Mike Lazzari <watershed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > it is a "woman's choice" whether to kill or not kill a living human
> > being
> Second time this has been brought up as an example of "moral decay". The
> morals thing is a religious conviction. To each their own. Just don't
> inflict it on me. Besides, it isn't germaine to the gun issue.
Isn't germaine? Supposedly, concern for needlessly and wantonly taking
another person's life is at the heart of the gun control issue.
"To each their own" taken literally and universally suggests a world without
common agreements, laws, or prohibitions. No civilization can survive that
way. Respect for life and others is necessary for societal health and
safety.
Don't "inflict" one's opinion on someone else. (That is exactly my point
concerning the gun control issue.)
But people have to take a stand on some things or surrender to those who are
willing to push their own agenda. (Recall the Third Reich, Cambodia, the
Chinese, French, and Russian revolutions.) As the old adage says, "The
squeaky wheel gets the grease." Moral decay occurs when those who have more
positive values stay silent and inactive while those with lesser values
speak out and act. Which are the more positive values? Those which enhance a
society and make it a better and safer place to live, embrace freedom, raise
families, and enjoy a more productive life.
>
> > Which is why this whole discussion is utterly pointless.
I thought I cited a few points. ;o)
>
> And I do agree with some of your other points.
>
Thanks.
>
Robert
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