Original Sin?

Quote: stinkingliberal

Your premise that being an atheist provides no moral compass is absolutely incorrect and in fact, as an atheist, I kind of resent it.

What moral compass could atheism possibly provide?

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I feel that my moral code is superior to that imposed on followers of most monotheistic religions because I don't fear punishment if I break it and have no authority figures to scold me if I do.

I've already mentioned that this is a sentiment shared in Christianity.

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Aside from the civil punishments, I don't murder someone because I feel murder is wrong, not because I think God will send me to hell for it.

Then I must continue to ask you; what happens if you didn't feel murder is wrong? If the only reason you are not doing something is because you don't want to do it then I would say your morality is much worse than those who don't do something because they fear eternal punishment.

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And by the way, the doctrine that I could gun down 100 people in a shopping mall and all would be hunky-dory as long as I ducked into a confessional and said a few Hail Marys afterward is somewhere between risible and loathsome.

I thought you were taught by nuns? Surely they taught you better than that? I'm flabbergasted that with a Catholic education you would say something so false and misleading.

Quote: stinkingliberal

Actually, one of the biggest problems I had with Catholic mythology (I was educated by penguins) was that God supposedly expected us to conform to a moral code that he himself didn't observe. I only ever got lame explanations like "we're not capable of understanding." Then I countered with, well, if we're not capable of understanding, maybe we have it all completely wrong and only mass murderers are actually going to heaven. At least, we should be strangling bunnies or something. One hour detention, blasphemer!

You did a great job of pointing out the subjective nature of human morality. Theist or atheist, same thing. It's man not God centered. One thing about Catholic morality though is they don't compromise. They are the same through the ages so we have got to give them that.

Catholic Theology only changes when revenues diminish. Spent a year being taught Latin by the Xaverian Brothers. Because the Mass will always be taught in Latin. 1966, paroled after 4 years in USAF, went to Mass in Cathedral in Baltimore for first time with Patsy Davidson, what a sweetheart. Broke my heart a year later. She wanted to date other men, and well, some were a little intimidated by fact I was dating her. Just as well, Patsy died at 42 , slow death from Cancer. I might not have survived that. honestly.

Anyway when long haired girl, miniskirt, and longer haired dude with guitar ( it was the 60's ) came onto left side of altar and started playing and singing. I gave her a look and she whispered it was a folk mass. But when priest started talking in English, i opened a hymn book and looked for stations of the cross. Had serious doubts I was in a Catholic Church.

Quote: FrGamble

Religious authorities are very different than God.

I'll say. The former do exist.

Quote: FrGamble

Religious authorities are very different than God.

Quote: Nareed

I'll say. The former do exist.

Ha, they like to think so but they are much more pretend than the latter.

Quote: FrGamble

Ha, they like to think so but they are much more pretend than the latter.

Next time the Pope comes here, I'll tell him you said he doesn't exist.

For that matter, I'm no longer sure you're real.

Quote: Nareed

Next time the Pope comes here, I'll tell him you said he doesn't exist.

For that matter, I'm no longer sure you're real.

I think he would agree that his power is illusionary.

So is Sainthood.

Quote: FrGamble

I think he would agree that his power is illusionary.

I'm sure he'd say so in public (though he'd probably say illusory). I don't think he actually believes his considerable power to be illusory.

Quote: Nareed

I don't think he actually believes his considerable power to be illusory.

I know that he knows that whatever power he might have it is not from him and it is given to him to serve others like the Lord.