Believers, Non-Believers & Morality

Romans1009, it's after 4 am where you are. Don't stay up on my account. We can resume this anytime.

Originally posted by @fmf
Self-interest and altruism clearly co-exist. There are people all along the continuum, and there are people that swing between the two depending on the circumstances.

Originally posted by @fmf
Things change - evolve - develop - grow - adapt - progress over time. This includes human activities. It's not controversial.

Originally posted by @romans1009
Here’s part of what I wrote in response:

“My morality is not “borrowed from an outside agency.” It exists within me and is as much a part of me as anything else.

You studied theology and don’t understand that God’s Holy Spirit indwells Christians? That God’s Holy Spirit is as much a part of a Christian as his or her feet and legs - more a part, actually, as the feet and legs can be removed.”

Originally posted by @romans1009
Don’t agree. Self-interest would say, “Why give $20 to hurricane relief? I could use that to buy groceries.”

Originally posted by @fmf
The "outside agency" is the mythology, the literature, the doctrines of your religion. The idea that a supernatural entity you call "God’s Holy Spirit" is inside you making you do stuff - or not do stuff - is nonsense to atheists.

FMF: Things change - evolve - develop - grow - adapt - progress over time. This includes human activities. It's not controversial.

Originally posted by @romans1009
I think it’s a little more involved and “in the weeds” than that.

Originally posted by @romans1009
I disagree with your view on what he meant but I’d rather hear from him as this may be a case where he didn’t express himself clearly.

Originally posted by @fmf
I think you simply tripped over again in your haste. I also think it's possible you'll not admit it and just brazen it out

Originally posted by @fmf
I've no idea what you mean. This may be a use of this coloquialism that I'm not familiar with. That human activities and interactions have evolved over time is not an assertion that is overwhelmed or undermined by problems or difficulties.

Originally posted by @romans1009
An atheist’s morality, however flawed, is not difficult to maintain in a comfortable environment.

Place an atheist and a Christian in an extremely stressful or dire circumstance. There’s the test.

My morality is not “borrowed from an outside agency.” It exists within me and is as much a part of me as anything else.

You studied theology and don’t ...[text shortened]... istian as his or her feet and legs - more a part, actually, as the feet and legs can be removed.

Originally posted by @romans1009

Edit: In my opinion, Ghost simply did not know a major tenet of the Christian faith. If he did, then he should not have tried to present a Christian’s belief system and perspective from an atheist’s mindset. It’s contradictory and makes no sense.[/b]

Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
You have made yourself 'hollow' to receive the law/spirit of God. If that spirit ever leaves you, only hollowness will remain.

That's why, in your test of an atheist and a Christian put in an extremely stressful or dire circumstance, the atheist is 'more' likely to remain intact, due to his self-sufficiency. The very second you think your God has abandoned you, all hell will break loose.

Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
You keep referencing my theology degree. Perhaps it is your lack of one which keeps you misunderstanding the things I clearly express?

Would you like me to dumb things down a little for you?

Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
You keep referencing my theology degree. Perhaps it is your lack of one which keeps you misunderstanding the things I clearly express?

Would you like me to dumb things down a little for you?