What makes something good?

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I am suprised that this thread has gotten this far with nobody bringing up Steven Winebergs quote: "Good people do good things and bad people do bad things, but for good people to do bad things - that takes religion"

I'd change "religion" to "dogma", be it a religion or secular ideology. The people we have to be concerned about are those who blindly follow a charismatic leader, be it a pop star, a religious figure or author, or a politician. The danger is in group think and in subjection or surrender of one's own mind to the dictates of another.

Freedom of thought is the only freedom that can't be taken by force, and yet so many are so eager to throw it away.

But all you are doing here is trusting in a dogma stated by Steven Winebergs so that happens to be your religion. Of course religious people do bad things just like everyone else and one might argue here that you are blindly following Winebergs as a charismatic leader.

I agree with you about thinking freely but if I may say so your message here is one sided and tells me that you are just as blind as the rest of us. Extremism might be characterised as those that have a very very narrow mind and are convinced by their own arguments - is that you?
 
If I was following Wineberg as a charismatic leader would I disagree with his quote and modify "religion" to "dogma" and say it applies to any dogmatic person - be they religious or secular? No... that isn't how dogma works. Dogma is when people accept whatever somebody else or some book says and don't question or reason. Its when people essentially say "I believe X, because Y says so". X could be anything from certain foods being taboo, to positions on abortion, homosexual marriage, global warming, or universal health care. X could also be something odd like "black people have no souls" or "life begins at conception" or even "only humans, and not other animals, think/dream/are sentient/know they will die/etc". Y could be anyone from a religious icon, a holy book, a talk show host, a president, a pop star, or yes, even Richard Dawkins (I know some dogmatic Dawkins followers who will agree with anything he says without analysis and attack anybody who disagrees).

Do I have views and biases? Of Course. But my views are my own. I make an effort to develop my own views and think things through for myself, instead of surrendering my mind to another and following their dictates. I am not unique in this. Many, if not most do the same, including many religious people - as they interpret their religions to suit their own ideas. These are not the dogmatics.
 
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Hugo said:
But all you are doing here is trusting in a dogma stated by Steven Winebergs so that happens to be your religion. Of course religious people do bad things just like everyone else and one might argue here that you are blindly following Winebergs as a charismatic leader.
That depends on why he trusts in it. If he trusts in what Steven Wineberg says because Steven Wineberg says it, then it would be obedience and trusting in authority. If he happens to agree with his statement, then he is just doing that - agreeing.

Additionally though, I would say more that religious justification or justification based on religion can act as a catalyst for evil.
 
If I was following Wineberg as a charismatic leader would I disagree with his quote and modify "religion" to "dogma" and say it applies to any dogmatic person - be they religious or secular? No... that isn't how dogma works. Dogma is when people accept whatever somebody else or some book says and don't question or reason. Its when people essentially say "I believe X, because Y says so". X could be anything from certain foods being taboo, to positions on abortion, homosexual marriage, global warming, or universal health care. X could also be something odd like "black people have no souls" or "life begins at conception" or even "only humans, and not other animals, think/dream/are sentient/know they will die/etc". Y could be anyone from a religious icon, a holy book, a talk show host, a president, a pop star, or yes, even Richard Dawkins (I know some dogmatic Dawkins followers who will agree with anything he says without analysis and attack anybody who disagrees).

Do I have views and biases? Of Course. But my views are my own. I make an effort to develop my own views and think things through for myself, instead of surrendering my mind to another and following their dictates. I am not unique in this. Many, if not most do the same, including many religious people - as they interpret their religions to suit their own ideas. These are not the dogmatics.

You might have views of your own but they did not come on their own did they, you did not sit in a garret somewhere waiting for thoughts to come? None of us can be free of all the myriad influences around us or of culture or upbringing, the things we see or read. If we cannot free ourselves we can at least be aware of how they have and are colouring our thinking.

Here for example you show your bias, and that is a kind of mind surrender, but don't seem to be aware of it when you say things "they interpret their religions to suit their own ideas" so you equate it seems free thinking with what amounts to dishonesty

I endorse free thinking and rationality but I also insist that one does ones best to be self aware so at least you can begin to see how you think and appreciate how others do it. But free thinking and rationality cannot be divorced from our emotions because everywhere we are 'forced' to make judgements.
 
Of course I agree that things in life are vague and if you look at my earlier post I discussed that at length. So its not just in science it also applies to almost if not all life's decisions and any written text because always one must interpret in some way.

When one follows divine guidance then there is no vagueness!

I however cannot agree that one does good deeds, agrees to social norms or even prays because you love God though this might of course be true and we would hope it is true. If we take the case of good deeds then many who do not profess any faith engage in that activity.
I have no idea what this means, what I deduce from it, is your own personal feelings on something, surely you can't speak for everyone since you have no clue about the kind of relationships others have with God!


I am not sure what you mean here since none of us is free from sin so one supposes none of us is completely with God?
There are gradations of sins!



The trouble, if I may say so with you and many Muslims is that you decide what Christians believe and always in a derogatory manner. Almost always you have never read and studied the whole Bible and what you do have comes from questionable websites. I don't know any Christian who for example would change the 10 commandments to suit themselves. What I question here is you rational for perpetrating such falsities - that is not a good things is it?
I didn't learn of the bible from 'questionable websites' I learned from catholic school which I attended for three years. I doubt that any christian on board would say they have learned of Islam because they attended Islamic school for three years or even two weeks. Be that as it may, I don't need to learn little finite details of your religion to know it is disagreeable. And I certainly don't need to look at other branches of Christianity to make a point.. I don't believe in your basic tenet which according to gene (Grace seeker) feels can be far outweighs any commandments or books. It doesn't agree with me spiritually nor logically and I think if you personally are comfortable with your faith then it shouldn't matter what others think of it.

I'd no more consider Christianity a viable religion for today than you'd Judaism or mandeanism.. what matters is what you think of your beliefs as you'll take them to the grave, not what I or any other person thinks of them..


peace!
 
I think good or bad has nothing to do with religion or non religion. It may be a genetic thing. Some people are born good, some evil. As studies show serial and sadistic killers start as little children. A good child will stroke and cuddle a kitty a bad one will delight in torturing it. An archaic idea would be the bad one "has the devil in her/him". Good people lead good lives helping people and animals and cannot harm a thing willingly and eat the fruits off the trees or berrys, gifts from the plants. The evil ones get jobs as oppressors, toreturors, political leaders, used car salesmen, soldiers, vivesectionists, scientists, schoolteachers (indoctrinating fascists), preachers (hypocrites), assasins, communists and feminists. The evil vastly outnumber the good that is why the Earth is basically a Hell hole. By the way Mozart"s music is not good it's divine. Even his harpsichord is played by the angels in Heaven. :)
 
I think good or bad has nothing to do with religion or non religion. It may be a genetic thing. Some people are born good, some evil. As studies show serial and sadistic killers start as little children. A good child will stroke and cuddle a kitty a bad one will delight in torturing it. An archaic idea would be the bad one "has the devil in her/him". Good people lead good lives helping people and animals and cannot harm a thing willingly and eat the fruits off the trees or berrys, gifts from the plants. The evil ones get jobs as oppressors, toreturors, political leaders, used car salesmen, soldiers, vivesectionists, scientists, schoolteachers (indoctrinating fascists), preachers (hypocrites), assasins, communists and feminists. The evil vastly outnumber the good that is why the Earth is basically a Hell hole. By the way Mozart"s music is not good it's divine. Even his harpsichord is played by the angels in Heaven. :)

I would disagree that it has anything to do with genetics. I believe every baby is born good but its their life experiences that make them become good or bad.
 
Good is when you generally increase happiness. Bad actions are those that overall make people less happy.

Quite simple really ;). Is it really necesarry to complicate matters any further?
 
I would disagree that it has anything to do with genetics. I believe every baby is born good but its their life experiences that make them become good or bad.

You believe in the nurture not nature argument. I do believe that nurture CAN contribute a part in how well an individual will turn out. But I do believe the main one is NATURE that determines how good or evil someone will be. There have been many situations where serial killers have had a very good upbringing. They are just downright evil people in which no nurture or religion can help them. Even the prophet himself said that the greater jihad is to fight the evil within one's self and to strive to be a better person. But some people are simply unable to fight this inner evil.
 
You believe in the nurture not nature argument. I do believe that nurture CAN contribute a part in how well an individual will turn out. But I do believe the main one is NATURE that determines how good or evil someone will be. There have been many situations where serial killers have had a very good upbringing. They are just downright evil people in which no nurture or religion can help them. Even the prophet himself said that the greater jihad is to fight the evil within one's self and to strive to be a better person. But some people are simply unable to fight this inner evil.

Isn't that a bit strange, since these people are creations of Allah. If they go wrong, they have themselves (or maybe their environment) to blame for it, not 'nature', which is essentially their creator right?
 
Good is when you generally increase happiness. Bad actions are those that overall make people less happy.

Quite simple really ;). Is it really necesarry to complicate matters any further?

One can see the value of your definition but it implies for example that sadness is always a bad thing. But it seems obvious that is not the case as for instance sadness whatever the cause can bring about positive changes in our attitude and life.
 
When one follows divine guidance then there is no vagueness!


I don't think think this make sense unless we know we have divine guidance and there are a million and one things in life where we might need such guidance but how can we know we have it? Neither the Bible not the Qu'ran pronounces on everything.

To reply to your point using your words as we have a measure of agreement: "Be that as it may, I don't need to learn little finite details of your religion to know it is disagreeable. And I certainly don't need to look at other branches of Islam to make a point.. It doesn't agree with me spiritually nor logically and I think if you personally are comfortable with your faith then it shouldn't matter what others think of it."

I'd no more consider Islam a viable religion for today than you'd Buddhism or mandeanism.. what matters is what you think of your beliefs as you'll take them to the grave, not what I or any other person thinks of them.. and only then will you know their truth or otherwise. Whether indeed Islam is good or bad
 
One can see the value of your definition but it implies for example that sadness is always a bad thing. But it seems obvious that is not the case as for instance sadness whatever the cause can bring about positive changes in our attitude and life.

Completely agree. I went through a bad break up with my ex and she left me for another man. This made me feel horrible inside and I felt sad/depressed. I also felt as I wasn't too good enough so I basically thought about how I can change myself to become a better person and become a man with value/purpose. I ended up competing against 500 students from University for a Franchise Manager position and ended up getting the job after 3 interviews. Only 4 were chosen in the University. So when you are sad, you can make life changing decisions. There was a quote by Martin Luther King that states "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
 
I don't think think this make sense unless we know we have divine guidance and there are a million and one things in life where we might need such guidance but how can we know we have it? Neither the Bible not the Qu'ran pronounces on everything.
Unfortunately that is only the case for Christianity Islam covered everything and didn't leave anything to chance or charlatans!

To reply to your point using your words as we have a measure of agreement: "Be that as it may, I don't need to learn little finite details of your religion to know it is disagreeable. And I certainly don't need to look at other branches of Islam to make a point.. It doesn't agree with me spiritually nor logically and I think if you personally are comfortable with your faith then it shouldn't matter what others think of it."

I'd no more consider Islam a viable religion for today than you'd Buddhism or mandeanism.. what matters is what you think of your beliefs as you'll take them to the grave, not what I or any other person thinks of them.. and only then will you know their truth or otherwise. Whether indeed Islam is good or bad

I am not sure how this spin concern me personally? I wasn't the one whining a couple of pages ago seeking validation, and again these words are only applicable to Christianity as firstly no 'branch of Islam' given that 85-90% are sunni can deem the majority heretical and they certainly don't have copies of the Quran with which they can erect sites alleging an entirely different book. The book is the exact same whether or not they choose to give it to their own rendition. Secondly I have compared Islam only to other has-been religions of Abrahamic faiths to make a point that you are obviously inept at using in the same fashion, and lastly and I think again most importantly Islam isn't a religion about a self-immolating man-god who impregnated a woman with his being, to be born (forgoing sustainability of the laws of the universe) choosing ineffectual apostles, praying to himself then dying and then appearing clandestinely to one man deemed his nemesis to throw the masses into further confusion. And certainly Islam doesn't center around just that one thing for sin abolition.. so what can I say, we are certainly not standing on equal grounds and even if, it really wouldn't matter.. what matters is what makes sense to one in terms of life affairs and spiritual guidance and I think ultimately what becomes of that faith in the hereafter is most pressing of all.. It is a sad thing to live ones life thinking 'for god' what is important and enabling a wrong doing after the next because in ones mind one has deemed such a prohibition insignificant or such a belief a focal point.

all the best
 
Gossamer Skye, would you mind if I borrowed some of that post and put it in my signature?
 
That depends on why he trusts in it. If he trusts in what Steven Wineberg says because Steven Wineberg says it, then it would be obedience and trusting in authority. If he happens to agree with his statement, then he is just doing that - agreeing.

Additionally though, I would say more that religious justification or justification based on religion can act as a catalyst for evil.

I think you are not understanding fully, what would be the problem trusting in what God says and obeying him? please note that God is a perfect omnipotent omnibenevolent Being, so what would be wrong in trusting what this omnipotent omnibenevolent says to do?

If this entity is as such (Omnipotent omnibenevolent and good) what evil could come from obeying its laws?

However if you trust yourself, a human imperfect being, of course there is a chance that some evil may come from it, because humans are not perfect such as God up above who himself is perfect. And how can you then objectively say that something is right or wrong? If you subbmit to your own moral code there is no way of saying that the holocaust is objectively wrong, or that raping and stealing are objectively wrong. Psycopaths may think otherwise! And who are you to tell them its objectively wrong to rape/kill and steal?

Picture this: if some aliens would invade our planet and that it was morally correct for them to Rape, there would be no way of saying that there raping here is objectively wrong that is, wrong no matter what.
 
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Justufy, I went through several pages with Skye on precisely this point and you are still asking at the end of your post the most childish of ethical questions.

I think you are not understanding fully, what would be the problem trusting in what God says and obeying him?
If you believe that a God exists, and believe that he declares to you things like, say murder, rape, theft and violence to others as wrong - then I have no problem whatsoever in your obedience to this God.

However, if you happen to believe this God you have you believe and support that the state you live in should be controlled by his will, that people's lifestyles should fall under the guidance or direction of lifestyles only he finds 'acceptable', then there is a issue because the direct consequences of your obedience to God is leading you to believe that others should be oppressed.

That is what the problem is. People believe that they have divine mandate to tell others what to do with their lives and the obedience they so decree as virtuous is the catalyst for this. There are several specific examples of users on this forum that hold exactly true to this (Amadeus85 is a good one).

please note that God is a perfect omnipotent omnibenevolent Being, so what would be wrong in trusting what this omnipotent omnibenevolent says to do?
From my perspective, absolutely nothing so long as this omniscient and omnibenevolent (how you determine that is suspect) arbiter didn't tell you things like homosexuals must lose equal rights, that the state should be governed by Christianity, that people who don't believe in this God go to hell etc.

Now I'm not saying that you do believe this or believe that a God would dictate such things, but other people do and for the exact same reasons that you are proposing: because God says so. Once you have declared God as omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent you lose the capacity to look at moral issues in a considerate way. Everything by consequence cannot be anything more than obedience to authority. If you really, truely believe that X is only right if God proposes X then it honestly does not matter what 'X' even is. If you were to discover that God was to declare that murder, or rape, or theft was morally acceptable or permissable you would have no mechanism to disagree with this God. You would have no actual valid reasoning process to declare this God as morally wrong because you've already made the biggest concession: something is right only if God says it is.

By consequence, good becomes obedience, bad becomes disobedience. Terms like 'justice' have no valid humanist meaning anymore. In fact, none of anything you say can have anything to do with humanism anymore. It is all about God. It is all about what God wants and humanity becomes a tool for this end.

If this entity is as such (Omnipotent omnibenevolent and good) what evil could come from obeying its laws?
Well, yes, precisely.

I mentioned earlier that your claim this being is omnibenevolent is suspect and now, I also suspect it is arbitrary. You have however merely self-declared this entity as omnibenevolent. You have merely decreed this entity is a representation of all good. I don't even know what you consider 'good' to be. What exactly do you think 'good' is?

However if you trust yourself, a human imperfect being, of course there is a chance that some evil may come from it, because humans are not perfect such as God up above who himself is perfect.
This is begging the question. It has to assume that God exists, and is morally perfect. The very essence of my problem with 'theistic morality' is that none of its claims of perfection, objectivity and rationality have ever in any meaningful way shown themselves to me to be anything other than a manifestation of self-interest, a problem with the human condition and a consequence and an obedience to authority mentality.

How exactly do you declare something to be 'evil'?

. And how can you then objectively say that something is right or wrong? If you subbmit to your own moral code there is no way of saying that the holocaust is objectively wrong, or that raping and stealing are objectively wrong. Psycopaths may think otherwise! And who are you to tell them its objectively wrong to rape/kill and steal?
People often don't notice, but theists tend to have the same problem. A non-explanation, a fanciful empty remedy is invoked to resolve it and to many seems superficially acceptable (not to me). You have already told me that your morality is nothing more than obedience and disobedience to God. Terms like 'good' and 'evil' by necessary consequence of this have no meaning outside this. This is your objective criteria? Your absolute world view? A system based wholly on obedience to a prevailing voice is not objective, it is arbitrary. It is to the whim of the self-declared dictator. How is your moral world view anything but this?

In any case, I don't declare objective morality, not anymore. All actions can only be viewed morally in terms of their consequence to others. Humans are, by the way a social species. This is the first and effectively only reason why we put moral value on decisions we make in life. I said morality earlier was derived from humanism - and it is. Morality is about what we ought and ought not do in the environment of other humans, and indeed more recently other animals. It is an adaptable and by definition completely subjective setup that changes with new attitudes, new situations and new populations.

We now however, many of us - live in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies. We learn very quickly that the majority of us will benefit unmeasurably so if things such as theft, murder and rape are considered unacceptable. (Remember, a thief has no gain if there is no value held in private property.) It would be the collapse of society if we simply legalised them and so it is in all of our interests to condemn them, and deal with those who would soon commit them.

Another reason is a specifically humanitarian reason. Morality means nothing if the individual is ignored or used (which is part of the reason why theocratic states, no matter how wonderful their streets look fail). We have learned that despite the leanings of the sadist psychopaths (those who lack empathy, and by definition cannot be moral arbiters in any case) that you appeal towards - nobody wants to be raped or murdered. They by definition involve actions where one person does not consent to what is happening to them. It would be a reasonable response in terms of the persistency of society to declare murder and rape unacceptable for not only the good of society, but for the interests of the individual.

In fact the above is why we have human rights. Have you read them? Do you consider them valid? They're an entirely secular and humanistic document based on interest in other human beings.

Picture this: if some aliens would invade our planet and that it was morally correct for them to Rape, there would be no way of saying that there raping here is objectively wrong that is, wrong no matter what.
Okay. How would that devalue the relevance of any resistance?
 
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I think you are not understanding fully, what would be the problem trusting in what God says and obeying him? please note that God is a perfect omnipotent omnibenevolent Being, so what would be wrong in trusting what this omnipotent omnibenevolent says to do?

If you defer your moral judgments to another, you throw out your moral compass. This would leave you with nothing but obedience, which is very easily used and abused by those you follow (religious leaders or writers you believe to speak for your God in this case, but this isn't exclusive to religion). History shows this again and again. Good people will do good things, and bad people will do bad things, due to their own moral compass or lack thereof, but for good people to do bad things, that requires the good people to throw out their moral compas, and as shown here one way to do that is to replace it with obedience. This is how good, kind, loving people can commit attrocity with joy.

Obedience and morality do not equate.
 
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