Goodness only comes through fear.
That's what comes from living in a country founded by people who felt persecuted because they couldn't inflict their fear of god on their fellow man (Puritans).
(I'm suddenly mulling over "freedom of religion")
I didn't create the troll. I didn't date the troll. In fact I hate the troll. I helped deflate the troll-- All done.
Willow ,'Potential'
The Crying of Natter 49
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Connie Neil - Feb 07, 2007 7:16:14 am PST #8699 of 10001
brillig
Gudanov - Feb 07, 2007 7:16:24 am PST #8700 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping
There seems to be a widely-held belief that there is nothing keeping an atheist from committing immoral acts because we don't believe in God or heaven and hell.
Just look at the crime and murder rates of developed countries like Japan and Sweden that have a high percentage atheiests versus the highly religious U.S., would you want that?
I don't mean to say that religion causes crime, just that there isn't a correlation between lack of belief and crime. I think crime in the U.S. has other sources of causation.
Aims - Feb 07, 2007 7:18:59 am PST #8701 of 10001
Shit's all sorts of different now.
flea - you and I should go out on a Thelma and Louise type trip. Without the driving off a cliff and sexual assault, but with blowing up trucks. Do you want Brad Pitt or Michael Whathisface?
JenP - Feb 07, 2007 7:19:28 am PST #8702 of 10001
Oh! That reminds me. ("Centerfold," not the atheist discussion. Although...)
It appears that my current reaction to "Don't Stop Believin'" coming on the radio is now to laugh out loud, crank it up, think of several of you people, and belt it out. Surprisingly, for never having actually liked the song, I know almost all the words.
beth b - Feb 07, 2007 7:19:28 am PST #8703 of 10001
oh joy! Oh Rapture ! I have a brain!
There seems to be a widely-held belief that there is nothing keeping an atheist from committing immoral acts because we don't believe in God or heaven and hell
I often ask the question - so the only reason you are good is because you don't want to be punished?
shrift - Feb 07, 2007 7:20:15 am PST #8704 of 10001
"You can't put a price on the joy of not giving a shit." -Zenkitty
Well, without the fear of recrimination in hell or reward of eternal life in heaven, why should we?
People totally miss the part where at least half of the ten commandments are all about preserving social order!
Stab not lest ye be stabinated. If I started stabbing people in the face, everyone would start stabbing people in the face, and it'd be stabanarchy.
flea - Feb 07, 2007 7:20:50 am PST #8705 of 10001
information libertarian
As long as I can make my 9pm bedtime, Aims...
Oh, and I'm nursing, so I'll have to bring the baby.
Aims - Feb 07, 2007 7:21:41 am PST #8706 of 10001
Shit's all sorts of different now.
Hmmm... do you have to be in your OWN bed at 9?
tommyrot - Feb 07, 2007 7:21:51 am PST #8707 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
I often ask the question - so the only reason you are good is because you don't want to be punished?
Well, there's also the promise of lots of presents after you die if you're good. So, it's wanting to be bribed in addition to not wanting to be punished.
Am now listening to k.d. lang. Is that evil?
Gudanov - Feb 07, 2007 7:22:52 am PST #8708 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping
Am now listening to k.d. lang. Is that evil?
Are you wearing leather?