reply to post by charles1952
Charles I believe we could probably sit grab a pizza and talk for hours as you said but I think after that second pitcher I wouldn’t be able to
articulate very well. Lol. I still think it would be great. Maybe I will break away from things down here one day and we can do just that.
I know religion has had its place and done a great many things to guide us in our morality to this point. For many it acts as an anchor so that we do
not drift too far away from what has been established as right and wrong. I am just not so sure that we need the promise or threat of a deity to
maintain us anymore.
For the record I wasn’t implying the school system should be in the business of teaching morality. I believe its function should soul be
distributing information. In the case of critical thinking I believe when taught correctly it could be one of the most important skills a person
acquires in life however such a thing is a lifelong endeavor the bad side to it is if a person learns how to use those skills grounded in selfish
motives they may become successful with their endeavors but typically they intellectually flawed because they generally become very skilled at
manipulation. After typing that for some reason I picture politicians. lol. So I think schools should play a part in teaching these skills so that
can at least make clear how it has been used in the past with examples. It really is a subject I could start an entire thread on. I think people learn
this with or without school but they do so and their motivations could determine many things in their life. I do believe a person’s morality
dependent on many things family, environment, and life experiences to name a few. For many it is based in there religion. For myself religion was not
a factor I had good parents that instilled these things early on but of course there has been much in life that has influenced me and has shaped my
philosophy in life and it continues to change. If my parents were any less than what they are it is hard to say how I may have turned out.
As for the constitution I agree. I do not feel it is serving the purpose that it was intended to and has been corrupted in many ways but I still have
hope and confidence in it. As for me considering a future in 2000 years there are so many variables it makes my head hurt. I am sure you have figured
out that I have some firm beliefs about climate change which makes me wonder if there will be anyone around in that age. Our species is remarkable to
even be able to create such a document that can withstand the test of time but at the same time we as a whole as a species is so short sighted it
become that we will be the reason for our own devise.
As far as cloning I think as a science it will be realized to its full potential one day as for how it could be utilized the possibilities exist for
good and bad. Science fiction has often become science fact in recent history.
Many people as individuals use religion for mankind’s betterment but the trend with groups has been to persecute those who differ and I am not sure
that will ever change. I think the underlying cause is each religion believes it has been shown favor by a deity which I have heard from others that
is what makes them righteous. I don’t think a deity would be so short sighted for it to do this to its creations so it leads me to believe these
permissions or privileges that a group in any particular religion believe they have is the works of man. Those who at the pinnacle of the hierarchy in
those religions would have no reason for mankind to transcend those falsehoods and it is in their best interest for mankind to stagnate.
Charles I think you and I agree on much on this matter especially about how it will take longer than the two of us having a few beers and a pizza
talking it over. Lol. I do have hope that there is a possibility in mankind’s horizon that my hopes may reach fruition. Years ago the conversation
would be near impossible not just because of logistical reasons but because with today’s technology a topic of this nature can be discussed at
length and with breaks in-between to gather thoughts, Ideas and views can be spread and shared with others in what I feel has been a positive
manner.
Thank you for your honesty and willingness to discuss this topic it has helped me understand many aspects of it better. For instance the idea that
without source teachings you say there is a possibility for man to devolve morally in society. I think this may be true for some people. It wasn’t
something that I gave much thought o because faith is something I have never experienced firsthand. I once tried to go to church at first I found it
positive but the more I went I started to see and learn things that I found distasteful. I wonder if there are organizations or churches that still
believe in the divine but have abandoned the dogma associated with them where they kept the moral teachings but discarded the controls or even updated
the scripture to reflect what is known as fact today. Years ago when I first heard of scientology the name had me picturing such a thing boy was I
wrong. With all the books I have read probably the only one that I found to be more in line with how I feel on the subject was called conversations
with god. The third book in that series was a little harder to get through for me. There never seems to be enough daylight this time of year so I need
to break away and finish some things up outside before it gets too late and the neighbors complain.
Maybe in spring I will be able to break away from things here and visit where you are at and we can have that pizza.
Edit to add
Don’t know why but I was just thinking about how the Catholic church has stored and archived according to reports a huge amount of historical
documents and possibly other books that were meant to be included in the bible yet the information is kept from the public. I understand them
preserving it but with today’s technology it could be all digitized so anyone could see it. I view that as a crime against humanity withholding
information like that. How do you view what they are doing? BTW if you are catholic I do not intend to offend I am just curious how you see that. It
really makes me wonder why they are withholding it I tend to think they are hiding
edit on 21-11-2012 by Grimpachi because: add