Quote:
Originally Posted by siloko  and you couldn't even if you tried  |
False.
I actually convinced myself into joining the Catholic church, and when I let myself open to it, I actually believed it.
Which, btw, was stupid. I'm not sure why I did it. Curiosity? A thought experiment? Who knows? It's largely a load of lies, as with any sect of Christianity. Who really needs it?
I have been able to change my views, beliefs, and tastes, and not simply because something else changed, but because I decided I would change my perception of it.
Free will exists, and to say it doesn't is a silly thing to say.
Quote:
Originally Posted by siloko Can you choose to be moral or immoral? |
Tangent: "Morality" is a pathetic excuse for your own reasons of what you should and should not do as well as a way to feel superior to others.
Am I immoral? By some standards, I'm sure I am. It's amazing how little I care.
Do I kill people? No. Because it's moral? No, because it isn't a smart thing to do. It is not advantageous enough to me at this time, nor am I in a position where I could get around the consequences that would result from me killing that person, whoever he or she is.
If you work only on what you believe to be morally correct, you limit yourself.
So, why has "morality" survived if morals don't matter? Because it can be advantageous to appear moral as though it mattered, because then those who don't realize that it doesn't matter will believe you to be morally superior. This can cut into the sides of those who don't realize what's wrong with it.
Am I saying that if there were not laws for killing people, that it would be advantageous to kill people and therefore everyone should kill people? No, however much I may like to at some times. Just because there might not be a societal law for it, there will be people who are close to the person who would then show you repercussions, such as killing you (an eye for an eye, etc). What if the person had no one who would do such a thing? Well, then there's that out of the way, but is there really advantage to killing them that would make it worth your time? I wouldn't go around slaughtering every unloved Christian fundamentalist just because I could, because for one, there are far too many of them, and also, they're really not worth my effort most of the time.
If you'd like me to talk about further moral topics, I'm always glad to share!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulFXH I've reached a point where I now believe that any beliefs that make us comfortable about ourselves are probably nonsense as we are simply too emotionally involved to look at ourselves with a cold, dispassionate eye.
Unfortunately, I am forced to include in this category the concepts of a caring, loving God and free will. |
I'd agree on the free will part once I see some reason not to believe in it that outweighs my reasons to believe.