The Moral Argument

[bhsmte]

I think DogmaHunter said it well:

I have never heard anyone, address this point better, than how Harris does in this video:

 

[Davian]

According to you, it is a matter of perspective, right?

A perspective based on a varying mix of reason, compassion, empathy, and relative human wellness, the Silver Rule, and the social contract.

How do things look in the land of black-and-white?

Answer your own hypothetical: do you think lying for Jesus is "good" or "bad"?

Does lying for Jesus describe any of your actions in these forums?

And, how is your list coming along?

 

[Davian]

In order for a man to seek after God, God must have first sought the man.

Is your theology not built on the [false] premise that one can consciously choose what one believes, and thus be held accountable for it?

 

[Davian]

I am assuming you said something to the effect that I was a lousy apologist.

And I was, up until now.

I am glad we have cleared that up. Will we see a change from this point on, or more of the same?

 

[Davian]

I will ask again, does anyone believe that there are universal moral standards that transcend culture and time?

What is your testable criteria for a "universal moral standard"?

 

[Davian]

His plan was to eliminate wicked people from the face of the earth. Unrepentant, evil people who had been given several centuries to clean up their act. And I am glad that was His plan. I am only sorry that Israel was not obedient to carry it out fully.

Anymore questions?

By "evil", you mean, they did not believe your particular god?

 

[Davian]

I have never heard anyone, address this point better, than how Harris does in this video:

Indeed.

 

[Oncedeceived]

According to the Bible, which was written by?

Does it matter, you are arguing against God acting immorally based on the same Bible.

And Yahweh's plan to save them from that was to kill them? Is he "defending" them from these children, or are the children also the victims? You can't seem to decide.

You can't seem to bring to concepts into the mix can you? The Amalekites killed the Jewish children, the old and pregnant and would have wiped out the Jews; they had to die if the Jews were to live. I have no problem deciding that this was an evil people that did evil things including throwing their own children into fires. If you wish to rally behind such evil then by all means you have that right but don't blame me if I don't see your injustice in their being wiped out.[/Quote][/QUOTE]

 

[anonymous person]

He couldn't do it himself?

Sure He could have. Remember the account of the destruction of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? He chose to do what He determined was appropriate all things considered.

 

[anonymous person]

What exactly is the will of God you claim to be doing, on this site?

Testifying to the truth.

 

[Oncedeceived]

I think DogmaHunter said it well:

This is only begging the question. Allah and the Christian God are not one in the same and are not equal, the fact that you and DogmaHunter feel there is no difference doesn't mean you are right.

 

[bhsmte]

Testifying to the truth.

If someone of another faith, was claiming to be testifying the truth to you, how would you want them to go about doing so and what would you be looking for?

 

[anonymous person]

Were you doing the will of God when you plagiarised earlier?

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. -James 1:13

I was lazy earlier. I should have referenced what I posted and did not. So no, I was not doing God's will. It is not God's will for me to be lazy.

 

[anonymous person]

If someone of another faith, was claiming to be testifying the truth to you, how would you want them to go about doing so and what would you be looking for?

I would want them to be charitable and understanding and I would be looking for whether or not what they said lined up with the Bible.

 

[Oncedeceived]

What is your testable criteria for a "universal moral standard"?

Is that a no then?

 

[bhsmte]

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. -James 1:13

I was lazy earlier. I should have referenced what I posted and did not. So no, I was not doing God's will. It is not God's will for me to be lazy.

In other words, when anything bad happens, it isn't from God and when something you deem good happens, it is from God?

 

[bhsmte]

I would want them to be charitable and understanding and I would be looking for whether or not what they said lined up with the Bible.

Would this then mean, the bible is completely off limits and even if someone was to show that it's claims may not be true, that this should be denied?

 

[anonymous person]

You're glad that he commanded children to be slaughtered,

I am not glad that the children in question had to die no. I said I was glad that His plan was to eliminate wicked people from the face of the earth. Unrepentant, evil people who had been given several centuries to clean up their act.

Me being glad that God did not let unrepentant evil go unchecked does not mean that I am glad that children had to be killed. I would have preferred that the evil people repented instead of bringing down judgment on their own heads and the heads of their children.

But they were not willing.

But I rejoice in all God's works for they are righteous and blameless.

and you would participate in that act if he commanded you to do it?

I pray to always be found by God to be willing to do His will. If I were alive back then, then yes I hope that I would have been willing to carry out His will.

Anything else?

 

[anonymous person]

In other words, when anything bad happens, it isn't from God and when something you deem good happens, it is from God?

God cannot sin.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above. There is nothing good that does not find its ultimate reason for being in God who is the Summum Bonum.

 

[anonymous person]

Is your theology not built on the [false] premise that one can consciously choose what one believes, and thus be held accountable for it?

My theology is built on the teachings of Jesus Christ.