fordy said:
Ethics classes teach the establishment of moral udgement based on logic. For instance, stealing removes capital from the storeowner, thus raises the price so everyone else pays. Therefore, stealing is wrong. Scriptre uses the pathos method of persuasion to achieve this. (ie. Don't steal or you'll go to hell). Ethics is prefereable to me, because it gives understanding behind why things are wrong, but now NSW children will not be able to learn it, thanks to the Christian Democratic Party holding the state hostage in order to forcibly pass their ideals on in school. I apologise if I soudned more agressive than normal yesterday, but you must understand that this is an issue that infuriates me. I don't generally "stereotype" without good reason, but let's look at the evidence, shall we?: 1. You're incredibly against the use of a word......a word and nothing more, for use in gay marriage. 2. You're reluctant to study the proven facts behind the origins of the Earth. 3. You seem to be very comfortable with the constitution containing the phrase of the use of "God's laws" Now I don't say "oh he goes to church, therefore he's a religious zealot", but even you have to admit that that's a decent amount of evidence, and if th shoe fits.... On the other hand, you're not particularly innocent, either. Your claim to Atheist being a religion because of atheist houses being built? You're generalising the Atheist community, which are in fact in more than one group. The minority do the things you claim. The majority want nothing to do with the term religion itself, until substantial evidence tips in favour of a particular belief. It's like generalising that all muslims are terrorists, or all catholics are child molestors. Every group has it's bad eggs. Don't go generalising the entire group like that. |
Well as far as whether scripture or ethics should be taught I don't see why they couldn't be taught side by side or together in a single class. Also wondering why scripture is taught at all in public school, here in Canada we have a form of seperation of church and state and I think if your going to teach one faith you should teach all faiths or none at all. I believe in fair representation and equal treatment of all faiths and beliefs. This means I would have to agree with you, Scripture should have been dropped if a church or parents want to teach their kids the scriptures they have the right to do so and should. If you were talking about private school I think both Scripture and ethics should be taught together as the Bible does say plenty of things regarding ethics.
As for the party name actually saying Christian in it, I don't think that it is right. In Canada we have the Conservative Party which was formed by the Christian Reform Party as well as other parties. We just decided that it was discriminatory and wrong to have a party that only represents one faith in a country with many faiths and cultures. So Conservative Party members are often Christian but we have Muslim, Sihk and even Athiest members and I still support the party whole heartedly. Also the American Republican Party often seen as Christian like wise is not. I think in a civilized state no faith or religion should be forced on anyone by their Government. I just believe that everyones rights to faith and religion be respected and protected by that Government. You may not understand my idealogies because your country doesn't appear to be much like mine. You base your critique of Christians and Conservatives based on the Conservative Christian's in your country.
Its like judging buddhists based on one country. If Buddhists in Thailand are like this then Buddhists in Japan must be as well. Cultures and beliefs differ from country to country. So do laws and such even Christians don't act the same in all countries. Hopefully everywhere they love their neighbours and do good to those that hurt them (As it says in the Bible) but I have recently run into Christian's who think drastically different beliefs. So judging me and stereotyping me as what you see in your country is very wrong. Sure I may have some of the same values but I do have my own unique beliefs.
To be honest I think in public schools their should be a religions class where the class teaches students about say 20 different religions a year. I think its important for young people these days to see all the beliefs and choose one themselves rather then having one forced down their throats.
As for me believing Athiesm is a religion and faith based belief system. Your facts aren't anything new and they still don't discredit creationism. The Bible and some other religious books of other beliefs don't explain how God made the earth. So even if we could prove earth came from a dying star or what ever it still wouldn't prove a single thing. Science can't do anything to prove or disprove the unseen or things based on creation. If we could even prove Evolution is how life began that doesn't mean God didn't use evolution. Infact the Catholic Church alone has over a dozen different theories on how the earth came to be and life on it. If you include scientific theories from protestant scientists your number of theories jump way even futher.
Fact is I am not denying facts. I just don't see anything that proves my beliefs false. As for proving them true I can't do that either but neither can you or anyone else. Its pointless to try and convert people to each others beliefs against their will because honestly our beliefs require just as much faith in the unknown as theirs.
Infact I have alot of respect for Agnostics people who just admit they don't know. Now I am 97% sure of my beliefs sure I have doubts some times but I'm sure. But that is faith that agnostics and athiests don't have. So Agnostics and many athiests base their beliefs on science. I just find it much more logical and admirable to admit "Their could be a God, maybe not. I just don't know" rather then saying something like "Their is no God" because fact is nobody can prove or disprove the existance of a God!
Am I proud of the fact that my constitution mentions God. Hell yah I am because the country was founded on the belief in God and the laws in the Bible. Its a great part of our heritage and while I agree with seperation of church and state I still believe that we should conserve protect and admire our roots. If you know me I am a very patriotic Canadian I love my country and everything about it. I am also a Conservative so it makes sense that I would be proud of my countries heritage.
As for me caring so much about a word. The word is based on religious values whether those be mine or Islamic or Jewish or what ever other beliefs system. The word is not just a word its something to be respected and treated well it holds alot of value to those who have religious beliefs. According to the Bible and Torah Marriage as a term is a bond between a man and wife solidified by God. Now even if the Government stopped recognizing marriage I would still want to get married. Why? Because it is a religious institution and a move made under God it holds alot of value to me. To you and many others it is simply a word but the cultural and religious ramifications of that word are very valuable to others. So yah to you its just a word but to me it means so much more, you couldn't possibly understand without being in my shoes or those of other believers in the Abrahamic or other faiths!
-JC7
"In God We Trust - In Games We Play " - Joel Reimer
