invest07
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2007
- Messages
- 550
This forum is intended to discuss the origins and roots of our concepts of right and wrong. This is less about taking a stand on specific issues and more about why we believe as we do.
There is a huge gap today between what many Americans believe is right and what is wrong. Between what is moral and what is immoral. Between what is acceptable behavior and what is unacceptable.
As an example, I believe that abortion is murder. I believe that abortion takes the life of the most innocent and powerless of our society. Some of you probably have no problemo whatsoever with abortion. Some of you may be troubled by abortion but do not go as far as I in labeling abortion as murder.
I am assuming all participating in the H.O.P. forum are rational thinkers and have some form of moral code. So why are we in H.O.P. (and US society in general) so far apart on the issue of abortion? Why are we so far apart on other issues?. Why are some of us conservative politically and some liberal? Why do some of us see the war against terror as moral and just and others see the war in Iraq as immoral? We are all thinking, rational people so why can’t we agree on the basics of what is “right” and what is “wrong”. Why do we disagree on moral issues? Why do some of us believe in situational ethics and others believe the code of right and wrong must be absolute?
I think the answer lies in the individual source for our moral compass. It is clear that humanists and atheists don’t rely on a higher power for their code as they reject the existence of a higher power. Most believers in God accept as a given that “right” and “wrong” have been defined by God and not subject to revision by Man.
There is a huge gap today between what many Americans believe is right and what is wrong. Between what is moral and what is immoral. Between what is acceptable behavior and what is unacceptable.
As an example, I believe that abortion is murder. I believe that abortion takes the life of the most innocent and powerless of our society. Some of you probably have no problemo whatsoever with abortion. Some of you may be troubled by abortion but do not go as far as I in labeling abortion as murder.
I am assuming all participating in the H.O.P. forum are rational thinkers and have some form of moral code. So why are we in H.O.P. (and US society in general) so far apart on the issue of abortion? Why are we so far apart on other issues?. Why are some of us conservative politically and some liberal? Why do some of us see the war against terror as moral and just and others see the war in Iraq as immoral? We are all thinking, rational people so why can’t we agree on the basics of what is “right” and what is “wrong”. Why do we disagree on moral issues? Why do some of us believe in situational ethics and others believe the code of right and wrong must be absolute?
I think the answer lies in the individual source for our moral compass. It is clear that humanists and atheists don’t rely on a higher power for their code as they reject the existence of a higher power. Most believers in God accept as a given that “right” and “wrong” have been defined by God and not subject to revision by Man.
- What is the source of your moral compass? Is your moral compass directed solely by other people or does it derive from a higher source or does it originate solely from within you?
- What tests do you use to determine what is “right” and “wrong” and why?
- Do you accept situational ethics?
- Does your moral compass ever change direction?
- Is your moral compass affected by current events or politics?