On the Relevancy of The Institutionalization of Sin

by Perry 131 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  DJS

  Morpheus,

  A few years ago I taught an ethics class at one of our local colleges. One of the tools I used to get the students to think was the 5 step ladder I have mentioned on this site. If the lurkers and posters would change from making decisions based on feelings, what they think, what little experience or anecdotal data and the one dimensional, confirmationally biased 'knowledge' they have obtained and strive to acquire a 360 knowledge and understanding of the world we live in and REQUIRE evidence before committing or making decisions, they would improve their lives.

  Too many close their minds once they develop strong feelings about an issue, and they won't let the facts or the evidence change their minds. The only things they consider confirm their biases. Take Perry, for example. He routinely goes out and finds what he thinks is evidence to support his hate filled, right wing, jesus loving views. It is extremely unlikely that he ever researches counter augments. The problems with that are obvious, not to mention that he is preaching to people who have already considered his arguments and that data, and we have rejected it.
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  GrreatTeacher

  Sometimes I think that choosing a side and shutting your mind comes from information fatigue.

  There's just so much information available at our fingertips now that strong partisanship becomes a heuristic.

  Thus, paradoxically, the advent of the net and exponentially larger bodies of information has helped create the hyperpartisanship we see now.
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  DJS

  GreatTeacher,

  Well stated. However, with most things it isn't really necessary to make up our minds quickly. Things are complicated, and the more we study and research the better we understand. The 'evidence' is always going to be the best empirical data available at the moment. Once that changes based on more and better studies and understanding, intelligent people with rational personalities are much more likely to shed the old and embrace the new.

  Religious people and those inclined to make decisions based on feelings and emotions, OTOH, have their tiny little furry feet deeply and firmly stuck in concrete. Regardless of any new evidence, they aren't changing.
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  OnTheWayOut

  Did you know that a gay Sasquatch built the Egyptian pyramids? It's true.
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  tim3l0rd

  LisaRose-

  No, it really isn't. The first amendment is crucial to our country, it will not be amended.

  It is crucial and I'm a big fan/advocate of the first amendment, however Internet bullying is already a crime. In the past, we've also had other freedoms encroached upon in the name of keeping peace. I'm just cautioning that there are those who say "hate speech" incites riots, murder, and violence and should be illegal/censured. If that idea gains momentum, it could be dangerous.

  I concede that the likelihood is minute, but we can never say something is impossible.
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  freemindfade

  Good stuff djs. Thank you.
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  Deputy Dog

  Perry

  I think the church brought all this on it's self when they asked the government to be the ones who grants the license for marriage (for taxing purposes) in the first place. As long as the government gets to define marriage, the church has no say in to matter.

  I say, we should lobby to get rid of the "legal" definition by the government on the grounds of separation of church and state.
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  LisaRose

  TIM 310RD

  It is crucial and I'm a big fan/advocate of the first amendment, however Internet bullying is already a crime

  Is it? I see bullying on the internet every day. Can you site a case where someone was arrested simply for being a bully? I do think there is a fine line between harassment and bullying, but just stating your opinion, however offensive that is, is not a crime. It's only when that opinion is consistently directed to a particular person, especially if it is due to race gender or sexual orientation that it crosses the line and becomes a crime.

  Which of the following do you think should not be a crime?

  Bullying and cyberbullying can become a crime if you:

  • Physically assaulting someone
  • Harassing someone especially if the harassment is based on gender or racism
  • Making violent threats
  • Making death threats
  • Making obscene and harassing phone calls and texts
  • Sexting
  • Sextortion which is sexual exploitation
  • Child pornography
  • Stalking someone
  • Commiting hate crimes
  • Taking a photo of someone in a place where they expect privacy
  • Extortion
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  OnTheWayOut

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJGR7TvFTxo
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  Village Idiot

  OnTheWayOut, where's the spaghetti sauce?