Jake_Armstrong

LOL big booby man!

Xil

I'm not sure, many different philosophies probably explain it though.

If you want to go purely scientific altruism developed in the animal world as a mechanism to ensure the survival of the species. Altruism is also shown to greater levels to closer relatives because it ensures the passing on of similar genetic code (family first).


EDIT: Why does their have to be a simple explanation of why people are the way they are. Why can't we just be happy that we are and not make up some religion to try to validate ourselves.

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JcP

many different philosophies? And you put more stock in those than the many different religions that explain it? Religious leaders ARE philosophers. Just because their stories are often told through personification and athropomorphic metaphor doesn't negate that 1/2 the stuff Jesus talks about are reworded by modern philosophers as "new."

Love thy neighbor is not the same as preserve yourself by allying yourself with your neighbor. One is a selfish act: if I am nice to this person, they won't hurt me. The other is a selfless act: I am going to be nice to this person, because it's the right thing to do.


As far as your edit, who said there has to be a simple explaination? Did I suggest that? Seems to me to be a complete non-sequetor. I don't think there is a simple explaination.

However, I want to point out that you seem to have given one with your "scientific altruism." So while I agree that there is no simple explaination, you seem to only think that when/if you are faced with opinions you disagree with. A defense mechanism, if you will.

RELIGION DOES NOT VALIDATE YOU. At least not me. I'm not religious because it validates "I am." It's the exact opposite. I became religious because I recognized "I am." The inverse of what you think religion is about, to me, is what religion is about.


Why do you need science? Can't you just be happy with being who you are, and not use science to try to explain everything? To validate ourselves through knowledge instead of belief (religion)?

It works both ways as far as I'm concerned. We "create" or, as I'd choose to put it, manifest religion because once we recognize our divinity we need a way of expressing it. We "use" or, as I'd choose to put it, manifest science because once we recognize our ability to expand our collective knowlege we want more of it.

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Just look out around us, people fightin their wars...
They think they'll be happy when they've settled their scores...
Let's lay down our weapons
and hold us apart
be still for just a minute
try to open our hearts
MORE LOVE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rev It's not what you see, it's that you're looking.

Waves

some people need to believe in something greater than themselves. some people want answers to questions that science cant answer. the reasons are numerous.

doesnt it feel good to think that there is nothing greater than ourselves though? or depressing depending on your perspective...

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On this life that we call home
The years go fast and the days go so slow

kamikazi89

it's practice that counts(imo)..not sermonizing

..anyone who grew up with adults can tell you that

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katie west is the best

Parallax

"treat others as you wish to be treated" - what does this have to do with god, jesus, christianity, or religion?

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FUCK THE ROBOTS!!!
NUKE THE WHALES!!!

Waves

considering a religion is a structure of beliefs, and "treat others as you wish to be treated" is a belief one can choose to ascribe to, i would say it has alot to do with religion.

also, the fact that jesus said it.

__________________
On this life that we call home
The years go fast and the days go so slow

kamikazi89

been around for ages, jesus didn't invent compassion : what amazes me is how humans could raise moral ETHICAL children without religious instruction

..and yet they do


it must be a miracle..no way by design

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katie west is the best