[Mearticbaibre]

Club thread!

[tipokotap]

is the above scenario plausible? Of course it is, it happens all the time to those of little faith and an analytical mind.

Is it that a real understanding of evolution is corrosive to a morality founded on religion, and on an idea of man's identity as an innately moral being? No. An understanding of a theory cannot corrode religious based morality. Only by acceptance of that theory or by admittance that such a theory is more plausible than that suggested by the faith would that persons moral ground be in question.

[wallyfindme]

Even though the first three points were just in the background for him throughout his life, the fourth one was the one which caused the maximum disruption, as it was the foundation of the morality he had built up throughout his entire life, as he had believed that he was himself innately good. Actually, this one right here would be the crux and be a sign of his inperfect faith. IF this person were a Christian and a Creationist he would definitly not consider himself "innately good" since man was born to sin, and because of sin imperfect. Thus, this person was never what they thought they were in the first place.

[pushokalex1]

Originally posted by Japher


Actually, this one right here would be the crux and be a sign of his inperfect faith. IF this person were a Christian and a Creationist he would definitly not consider himself "innately good" since man was born to sin, and because of sin imperfect. Thus, this person was never what they thought they were in the first place. Good point.

However, many people, both religious and non-religious, base their morality on an idea that they are innately good. It's an idea which has permeated the common culture very thoroughly. What happens when they realise that they are innately nothing, except superb replication machines?

Also, consider the Muslim. He has no concept of original Sin. What of him?

Also, consider a person who is actively Chriatianly religious, and believes in the first three? What of him?

[mudozvonf]

Originally posted by Lorizael

Do you have the intellectual honesty to radically change your beliefs when you encounter facts that contradict them?
Yes. I have done it (multiple times) before, and will do it again as necessary.

The point is that the idea of evolution does not, in fact, contradict anything in my current view of the world. In fact, it makes many things clearer, which I found difficult to understand before I truly appreciated and understood it.

I also, however, understood how badly it could mess up someone who had an idealistic or naive view of the world, and who had built up his entire mental framework around that view.

[Doncarlito]

The theory of Evolution is just one of many things which can lead a rational person to discard the god theory (others include the existence of numerous conflicting gods and, the existence of evil in the world).

This leads to Nietzsche's "death of god" in which one rejects god for the higher truth of atheism out of intellectual honesty as you call it or the "Will to Truth" as Nietzsche called it. In reality that will to truth is the real morality you follow and is the core of the Christian morality which we affirm when when sacrificing god himself. Thus atheism far from being the rejection of Christianity is in fact its ultimate fulfillment!

[connandoilee]

"rational person"

[zenihan]

My own view is that evolution pretty much destroys any religion that most people would want to believe in.

I guess you could still be some sort of deist.

[bMc8F9ZI]

What the evolution does in fact is that it destroys the Bible story about the creation of the world.

Now, that doesn't trash the religion away, except for those who believe it's the literal word of God, a notion I find extremely stupid to begin with.

[Bounce]

deadly sin in your infidel catholic mindset.

[Anaerbguagree]

Originally posted by Japher
That idea is not suppose to invoke pride but responsibility Even if you are hoping to invoke responsibility, you are doing so by appealing to their sense of pride. "You are better than this, so you should behave better than this." Pride.

[iiilizium]

Didn't St. Thomas Aquinas pretty much cover this 800 years ago? God gave us an intellect to use. Reason is not inconsistent with faith. Fundies please take note.

[gogona]

Religious morality is stupid anyway, so it's corrosion is a good thing, it's nothing but a socially constructed "pseudo-morality" or "folk morality" legitimized by a belief that it is sanctioned by the supernatural. Morality should come from reason and compassion, not faith and dogma.

[usadatronourl]

Originally posted by Odin
Religious morality is stupid anyway, so it's corrosion is a good thing, it's nothing but a socially constructed "pseudo-morality" or "folk morality" legitimized by a belief that it is sanctioned by the supernatural. Morality should come from reason and compassion, not faith and dogma. Do you have any religious education at all? It's been my expierence that all religious morality actually comes from reason and compassion. Even some of the rituals that I once thought were pointless and silly, originated as some practice people did for some rational reason. Perhaps you might want to clarify specific values you have a problem with?