morality and believers?

Question

will basing your morality on the writings of hallucinating pre-modern nomads give you warped values?

to applechick. what about institutional homophobia? What about fighting wars over 'holy lands', what about campaigning against condoms in aids ridden countries. The list is too huge.

and what exactly is wrong with getting drunk and having sex before you are married. Why is sex between too consenting adults immoral (this is pretty warped)

Answer 1

I say YES and NO to your question.

YES:
A good simple example is to look at people who will shoot an abortion doctor thinking that is the right thing to do or think the death penalty is a righteous punishment for people......all while teaching good morals to their family. There are good concepts in the religious way of dealing with morality, however I think there is a lack of depth in understanding these issues.

As far as the 'not taking drugs etc...', these are not religious philosophies, they are standard things all people believe in. Its funny how churchies always try to take credit for the simple good ideas in life.............other non believers hold these values as well and these values are not rooted in christianity, they are rooted in COMMON SENSE.


NO:
Religious people and secular people (in other words, all people) have been making up rules to suit themself for thousands of years. We are all the same except for our motivations. The fact is, if the bible and all beliefs were destroyed 5000 years ago and life went on without the old history, we would still be a bunch of selfish people who try to define the rules for ourselves. I think its our nature to be quite stupid in general. Religion just gives people more of an excuse.

Answer 2

I believe that basing my morality on my religion (Wicca), which I believe in very strongly, only helps my values. I am better able to distinguish between what I think is wrong/right and what is actually wrong. To me, there are certain things that are completely and indisputably wrong, such as people being unwilling to see the other point of view even though they acknowledge that they understand that the person feels that way. However, I know that it's not actually wrong in the sense of being a bad way of thinking, it's just that they are scared or were never thought to question what they "know," or, in otherwords, what they have been taught.

Answer 3

Yes. Has the Middle East ever been a peaceful, civil place with tolerance and understanding between it's various cultures? Why would anyone choose to follow a religion from that place? I would suggest studying Buddhism or looking into New Age Paganism.

Answer 4

Depends on your definition of warped. If you consider keeping the family together, no sex before marraige, no getting drunk or doing drugs, loving one another as you would have them love you, giving to the poor, helping those in need, respecting your elders, teaching and training your children correctly, not murdering or maiming, not stealing, and not lying warped, well, then I guess it will.
The questions I have for you are:
What is it to you?
Why does it bother you? OR
Do you think you are missing out on something?

Answer 5

I don't know about the values of the believers, some of them seem ok enough, but, without a doubt, the writings of those nomads have surely warped their perception of reality.

Answer 6

Well, at least they let us smite Fig trees.

Answer 7

obviously not. have you checked out any of the religions today?

Answer 8

Only if you are Jewish or Christian.