Posts by shadow

posted

63
The " HIGHER EDUCATION" thread!!!
by DATA-DOG in
1. jw
2. friends
alright.

let's have the ultimate discussion on "higher education.

" let's talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.
shadow

Graduate Degree

Ton of student debt. Still, my income has increased far more than the payments so seems worth it.

Some people do well in a trade or running their own business, others not so much. I went to school in mid 90's when I was in mid 30's. Income has gone up by 800% in about 20 years. NOT rich because I was really poor to start with. School had zero effect on my spiritual outlook. Only problems I have had there is a result of looking too deeply into questions and not getting satisfactory answers.

By the way, I work much less now than when I started school and get paid vacations, insurance, etc.

IMO one or two GB members have a problem with it and enough of the rest go along with them.

Why not demonize anyone working full time? I've worked plenty of places that were full of immorality and alcohol.

How about anyone getting married or having children? They could work up a better scriptural basis for those than for higher ed.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

DJS, You do realize that this thread and my comments are not required reading, don't you? Though I am flattered by your inability to stay away.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

cofty, no I did not get your point about descriptive vs prescriptive Before you assume that I'm a stupid window-washer (actually I was one for a while, window-washer that is), I do have a post-graduate degree.

Billy - (I'm also an ex-bethelite) "And according to the OT, a man can have many wives." Now would that be an advantage or disadvantage from an evolutionary point of view? Greater opportunity to spread genes but greater risk of shorter life-span? Ok, point taken, maybe that's not an absolute.

Interesting discussion. I believe I shall retreat from moral absolutism to regroup around the position that morality is determined by God and that atheists have no foundation for morality other than imposition of such by the strong over the weak.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

The recent examples only serve to strengthen the argument that "morality" is decided by the majority and imposed on the minority via threat of punishment.

Instead of stealing, you set a slave free in the South. Your strong community will punish you until forcibly changed by a stronger force. Who is the "moral" person, the honorable slave holder or the slave thief?

If evolutionists spare the elderly and disabled out of fear of joining one of those groups, then they are acting contrary to improving the health of the species\herd. The weak should be culled. Instead you argue that they will act in whatever way benefits the individual.

A man cheats on his wife. He's just trying to spread his genes around and can't help it because evolution programmed him to do it.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

So morality is a common set of values agreed to by a group and enforced on any who disagree by threat of punishment. Until that group changes or is compelled to change by a stronger group. Might makes Right. Majority Rules. Morality is a shifting sand without any absolutes. In other words morality is a fiction.

Those who believe in evolution should cooperate with the group only when it is to their advantage. To do otherwise is foolish.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

cantleave: there have been lots of threads on just about any topic you care to name. Might as well shut down the forum.

A human is an individual, not a group. The human herd is not homogenous, so morality on one continent does not translate to morality on another. The Nazi herd was okay with killing Jews. If they had won the war it would have stayed moral. Was burning widow in India moral until law passed against it? What happened to the hard wiring? Maybe some short circuits?

cofty: What makes you moral and how do you determine what is or isn't?

adamah: I have not lost faith in God and thus have a basis for morality which is absent for the disciple of evolution
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

Why should anyone care if they pass on their genes?

bohm, your answer is inadequate and illogical
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

bohm: "basis for morality because other humans exist and they are just like us"

Yes, and all of us are going to die and turn to worm food. So why should any human give a crap about any other human? Isn't the logical thing to do is make the most of brief time here? Sense of morality is just some defective chemicals in brain.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

It seems to me that the "morality" of evolution should dictate that the individual does what benefits self. Why put community above self unless it benefits self?

If an attempt were made to apply to a community, then it would make sense to cull the herd of non-producers like elderly or disabled.
57
Are Evolution & Morality Mutually Exclusive?
by shadow in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
there are a couple of long threads going right now about evolution & abortion.. .

if evolution were true, how could there be any basis for morality?.
shadow

Then moral judgments do not exist except as delusions. There is no reason for any individual human to care about another one other than for satisfaction of the individual's needs or wants.