Thank you, tidbit2. I value this saying to be a both psychologically and ethically most important upgrade of the Golden Rule, as it is known from Confucius (Analects XV.24) and Jesus (Matthew 7,12). It reminds me of Luke 6,31-36:

Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" lend to "sinners", expecting to be re...

Thank you, tidbit2. I value this saying to be a both psychologically and ethically most important upgrade of the Golden Rule, as it is known from Confucius (Analects XV.24) and Jesus (Matthew 7,12). It reminds me of Luke 6,31-36:

Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" lend to "sinners", expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Johanna

my point exactly... if I were the religious type, I would be suicide-bombing, but since I am sane, I don't feel the need

Jatfla

ah the "callings" arguement... As long as I am a "godly parent" I don't have to think about how my cup of coffee is part of a chain of exploitation that puts some peasant-farmer in South America in dire straights... or even though I am committing war crimes I am faithful to my wife (a la Dick Cheney). The point is that no one in North America, living our luxurious life, can claim to be a true Christian, because even the poorest of the poor over here is 100 times richer than the truly poor in 3rd world countries... the "calling" arguement is just a ...

Johanna

my point exactly... if I were the religious type, I would be suicide-bombing, but since I am sane, I don't feel the need

Jatfla

ah the "callings" arguement... As long as I am a "godly parent" I don't have to think about how my cup of coffee is part of a chain of exploitation that puts some peasant-farmer in South America in dire straights... or even though I am committing war crimes I am faithful to my wife (a la Dick Cheney). The point is that no one in North America, living our luxurious life, can claim to be a true Christian, because even the poorest of the poor over here is 100 times richer than the truly poor in 3rd world countries... the "calling" arguement is just a Christian construct to justify wealth accumulation at the expense of others (essentially the basis of capitalism) - that is why the two go hand in hand... Christianity provides good cover for moral corruption -- see George Bush and the rest of the Republican party for proof.

When we shake off the delusion of religion we will start taking responsibility for our actions, instead of counting on a guy sitting on a throne in the clouds to make it all right in the end. We might not stop the exploitation, but at least we will be able to honestly asses it without the moral confusion of religion.

your asinine observations prove nothing.. I comment off topic so that you get to read my comments in your email -- you should do the same, since I would not have been able to see this reponse of yours had I not accidentally ended back up here after one too many clicks of the back button - you daft slut

you miss my point Assmus

all religious people aspire to suicide in the name of thier religion (martyrdom) -- at the very least, with a little prodding, or manipulation, religious people can be convinced that suicide in the name of god - be it bomb, or on the battlefield as a soldier - is the right course of action

interesting that you would prescribe psychiatric help, rather than reli...

your asinine observations prove nothing.. I comment off topic so that you get to read my comments in your email -- you should do the same, since I would not have been able to see this reponse of yours had I not accidentally ended back up here after one too many clicks of the back button - you daft slut

you miss my point Assmus

all religious people aspire to suicide in the name of thier religion (martyrdom) -- at the very least, with a little prodding, or manipulation, religious people can be convinced that suicide in the name of god - be it bomb, or on the battlefield as a soldier - is the right course of action

interesting that you would prescribe psychiatric help, rather than religious guidance for my percieved illness -- you betray your lack of belief that religion can help the suicidal, or those with murderous (sinful) thoughts

you declare May God preserve my antireligous obsession, which of course is something no true christian would wish upon another -- hardly the will of a loving God... however, the bitter, vindictive and hateful tendencies that you project onto your mental conception of God... well that is the real god you worship

If there is a God, he/she/it preserves my antireligiousness because he/she/it knows I do not need it... perhaps God left religion for the idiots who don't know what to do with the free will he/she/it gave them