Originally posted by utherpendragonPerhaps. But available evidence strongly suggests that Man's first spiritual beliefs lacked the type of Gods that have become the main feature of the predominant (in the West) religions today.
Man has always been " religious".
Mans "natural state" as you put it ,is spiritual in nature.
Originally posted by WajomaPeople are, in general, genetically predisposed to be more compassionate to neighbours (especially if they look and behave alike) than to random strangers, however not quite "on the same level".
Loving your nieghbour as you love yourself simply because they are your neighbour has never, ever been a natural attribute, nor is it a desirable or sustainable attribute. Anyone that puts there fellow mans attainment of happiness, wellbeing etc on the same level as their own is doomed to a life of:
-misery. The ideal can never be realised which leads to
-dishonesty i.e. lying to one self, which leads to
-insanity.
Originally posted by no1marauderI thought this was the wrap that was a rap, but I do get things monumentally confused sometimes....
It's always amusing to read religious nuts rant about the failure of human reason while they are typing away at their computer.
Virtually all of Man's "failures" were caused by an abandonment of Reason often because of an irrational belief in an anthromorphic God.....
Originally posted by WajomaUnfortunately for you, human existence disproves such Randian claims every day. Without a strong altruistic streak as part of our social nature, Man would have went extinct long ago.
Loving your nieghbour as you love yourself simply because they are your neighbour has never, ever been a natural attribute, nor is it a desirable or sustainable attribute. Anyone that puts there fellow mans attainment of happiness, wellbeing etc on the same level as their own is doomed to a life of:
-misery. The ideal can never be realised which leads to
-dishonesty i.e. lying to one self, which leads to
-insanity.
Originally posted by no1marauderWadda dodge, go on admit it D people do not love their neighbours as they do themselves. People look out for the next guy when it is in their own best interests to do so not vice versa.
Unfortunately for you, human existence disproves such Randian claims every day. Without a strong altruistic streak as part of our social nature, Man would have went extinct long ago.
Originally posted by WajomaTell that to Matt Croucher: http://gimundo.com/news/article/soldier-dives-onto-live-grenade-to-save-his-fellow-troops/
Wadda dodge, go on admit it D people do not love their neighbours as they do themselves. People look out for the next guy when it is in their own best interests to do so not vice versa.
Originally posted by no1marauderAny rate you don't believe people can act benevolently of their own volition, why aren't you calling for a regulation that all soldiers should dive on live grenades.
Tell that to Matt Croucher: http://gimundo.com/news/article/soldier-dives-onto-live-grenade-to-save-his-fellow-troops/
Originally posted by WajomaSuch acts, usually in less extreme form, are performed every day by virtually every human. If you've opened a door for someone or given up your seat on a bus to someone else, you've engaged in behavior that refutes the assertion Wajoma made in his post.
That's 1 in 6 500 000 000, you got a lonnnnggggggggg way to go.
Originally posted by no1marauderIt's probably safe to say that Wajoma has some form of autism.
Such acts, usually in less extreme form, are performed every day by virtually every human. If you've opened a door for someone or given up your seat on a bus to someone else, you've engaged in behavior that refutes the assertion Wajoma made in his post.
Originally posted by no1marauderI do those things and others because of how they make me feel, thus it is not altruistic.
Such acts, usually in less extreme form, are performed every day by virtually every human. If you've opened a door for someone or given up your seat on a bus to someone else, you've engaged in behavior that refutes the assertion Wajoma made in his post.
Edit: ...and generally I expect something in return in the order of aknowledgement i.e. a smile or 'thank you' if that aknowledgement is not forthcoming then that person is not likely to receive the same coutesy next time. A tr4ade is made, not an altruistiuc sacrifice.