Yogimus wrote:I am a "live and let live" social liberal, and a staunch believer in the constitution. I mistrust anyone in a position of authority, especially if that person uses that authority to be correct. An example of this is my distrust of those who like to toss the weight of the bible behind their policies, instead of arguing something on it's merits. I also feel quite strongly about personal responsibility.
We're actually pretty much the same, except I'd call myself a "live and let live" social conservative. I try not to poke my nose in, but if I see probable harm looming, I'll suggest a different course.
I tend to agree on the bible thing, except that I think that most of the things that still have traction there can be defended on their own merits. So, let's not discuss killing witches or stoning adultresses.
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D
Yogimus wrote:An example of this is my distrust of those who like to toss the weight of the bible behind their policies, instead of arguing something on it's merits.
Question: are you denigrating the christian Bible in general, or just calling bull shit on blind faith based on ignorance?
"Life is a bitch. Shit happens. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. Acknowledge it, and move on."
Yogimus wrote:An example of this is my distrust of those who like to toss the weight of the bible behind their policies, instead of arguing something on it's merits.
Question: are you denigrating the christian Bible in general, or just calling bull shit on blind faith based on ignorance?
Or general dependence on the fallacy of appeal to authority.
Considering what we've seen of the national culture, I don't know if you can be liberal and live-and-let-live. The soul of the Leftism that is now called liberalism seems to be a variation of Mencken's statement that a puritan is someone who is haunted by the idea that someone somewhere is happy. A Leftist is haunted by the idea that someone, somewhere is not doing what he would do, and feels compelled to bring the force and will of government to remedy that situation.
The use of the word "but" usually indicates that everything preceding it in a sentence is a lie.
E.g.:
"I believe in Freedom of Speech, but". . .
"I support the Second Amendment, but". . .
--Randy
Windy Wilson wrote:A Leftist is haunted by the idea that someone, somewhere is not doing what he would do, and feels compelled to bring the force and will of government to remedy that situation.
A social conservative is one hell of a Leftist, then. And by the same token a liberal might say a right-winger would rather see thousands starve before someone, somewhere, eats a meal they don't deserve. As satisfying as it might be to paint entire political spectra as vindictive extremists, it's not exactly a healthy habit.
Yogimus wrote:An example of this is my distrust of those who like to toss the weight of the bible behind their policies, instead of arguing something on it's merits.
Question: are you denigrating the christian Bible in general, or just calling bull shit on blind faith based on ignorance?
Or general dependence on the fallacy of appeal to authority.
It's only a fallacy if it isn't the authority. For example, we appeal to the 2nd Amendment here all the time, and we do not consider it a fallacy; in fact, anyone who questions our interpretation is (in our stated rules) welcome to find somewhere else to be.
And may I say, from a moral point of view, I think there can be no justification for shoving snack cakes up your action.
--Weetabix
The laws of god work a bit differently than the laws of men. Appealing to an authority that others do not even believe exists is not going to help make your point with them.
Kommander wrote:The laws of God work a bit differently than the laws of men. Appealing to an authority that others do not even believe exists is not going to help make your point with them.
Yes/No/Maybe
Look, I got no quibble with deists, or "non-theistic naturalists". What amuses me is ATHEISTS that loudly proclaim, protest, and shout: "THERE IS NO GOD".
Fine.........why are you shouting?
"Life is a bitch. Shit happens. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. Acknowledge it, and move on."
Kommander wrote:The laws of god work a bit differently than the laws of men. Appealing to an authority that others do not even believe exists is not going to help make your point with them.
The fact that both sides mutually agree that there's an objective standard of truth and falsehood, or right and wrong, that can be known and appealed to sufficient to win an argument points out that both fundamentally accept a higher authority, whatever they may choose to name it, or which name(s) they deny it to have.
That little conundrum does all sorts of happy mischief with what people think they believe or don't believe.
C.S. Lewis wrote far more than just children's fables, and he pounded this foundation out decades ago for modern folks, much as others did long before him.
"There are four types of homicide: felonious, accidental, justifiable, and praiseworthy." -Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
Kommander wrote:The laws of God work a bit differently than the laws of men. Appealing to an authority that others do not even believe exists is not going to help make your point with them.
Yes/No/Maybe
Look, I got no quibble with deists, or "non-theistic naturalists". What amuses me is ATHEISTS that loudly proclaim, protest, and shout: "THERE IS NO GOD".
Fine.........why are you shouting?
Probably because religious people will shout incessantly about their right to control other people, to better pound them into God's image. It's somewhat irritating when you have no desire to join their club, but they will not let up... socially, or politically.
