Biblical Morals

[TheBear]

Considering most people do not know the real death stats of the inquisition.

My remarks had nothing to do with death stats. They had everything to do with how the Christians at the time, who either participated in, or accepted the Spanish Inquisition as holy and righteous, aren't any better, (morally), than the worst of the ancient Mayan civilization. That was my point.

 

[lawtonfogle]

This is a little off topic, but since you brought it up...

The only way I can even remotely reconcile my thoughts to that sort of thing being done, is if I have to consider humanity as one body. Much like "if the hand offends, cut of it off" line of thinking (or...pruning a tree - a much more gentle image).

But then, that leads me to considering the individual unimportant. How right would that be?

I think this heads more into theology, than it does ethics or morality. I don't think I'm permitted to post there now.

If you assume this culture had demon blood in it (as I have seem some people believe), then this is about the only reasonable explanation to execute children. Of course, we never experience this modern day, so it would be a bit of a foreign situation.

 

[MaxP]

My remarks had nothing to do with death stats. They had everything to do with how the Christians at the time, who either participated in, or accepted the Spanish Inquisition as holy and righteous, aren't any better, (morally), than the worst of the ancient Mayan civilization. That was my point.

The Inquisition was not good, but:
A) It was the norm of the time, not the religion.
B) It was not as bad as currently thought (although the comfy chair was horrendous)

 

[TheBear]

This is a little off topic, but since you brought it up...

Actually, I was replying to another who brought it up.

The only way I can even remotely reconcile my thoughts to that sort of thing being done, is if I have to consider humanity as one body. Much like "if the hand offends, cut of it off" line of thinking (or...pruning a tree - a much more gentle image).

But then, that leads me to considering the individual unimportant. How right would that be?

I think this heads more into theology, than it does ethics or morality. I don't think I'm permitted to post there now.

Since it goes to Biblical moral teachings, it is on topic. Feel free to expound.

 

[TheBear]

The Inquisition was not good

Nominated for: Understatement of the Year.

A) It was the norm of the time, not the religion.

I'm not talking about the institution of religion. I'm talking about the adherents, the Bible-believing Christians, who had no moral compass on the atrocities of the Spanish Inquisition.

 

[lisah]

Actually, I was replying to another who brought it up.

.

Duly noted.

Since it goes to Biblical moral teachings, it is on topic. Feel free to expound.

Actually, I wasn't wanting to expound. *chuckles*

One of my ultimate questions is if the created can judge the creator, and if so, what might be the moral basis for judgement. If the basis is a sacrifice of the few for the good of the many, (or the one for all) then the only way that makes any sense is to remove the importance of individuality.

That is about as simple as I can express it without going into potential metaphysical ideas.

 

[MaxP]

Nominated for: Understatement of the Year.

I'd like to thank my agent, and the academy, of course...

I'm not talking about the institution of religion. I'm talking about the adherents, the Bible-believing Christians, who had no moral compass on the atrocities of the Spanish Inquisition.

Simple answer is, being Christian or believing in the Bible doesn't make you any better than anyone else. Christians can still sin, and sin horribly.

 

[TheBear]

Simple answer is, being Christian or believing in the Bible doesn't make you any better than anyone else. Christians can still sin, and sin horribly.

You're conflating individual shortcomings, with collective morals. At the time, Christian societies collectively praised the Spanish Inquisition as moral and good.

 

[TheBear]

I guess what I'm looking for are moral and ethical teachings which originated in Biblical writings. Are there any of those?

 

[MaxP]

You're conflating individual shortcomings, with collective morals. At the time, Christian societies collectively praised the Spanish Inquisition as moral and good.

Actually, the protestants nations blanketly condemned it while conducting their own inquisitions. It was individual shortcomings, the failings of rulers and conductors.

 

[TheBear]

It was individual shortcomings, the failings of rulers and conductors.

That doesn't explain all the Christians who for decades and centuries after the fact, praised the Spanish Inquisition as holy and righteous.

You're not going to wiggle out of this by trying to make it about who was in charge at the time. Try something else.

 

[MaxP]

That doesn't explain all the Christians who for decades and centuries after the fact, praised the Spanish Inquisition as holy and righteous.

You're not going to wiggle out of this by trying to make it about who was in charge at the time. Try something else.

You're missing the point. it was the collective attitude of societies using Christianity to justify putting down dissension, not Christianity.

 

[lisah]

You're missing the point. it was the collective attitude of societies using Christianity to justify putting down dissension, not Christianity.

I don't think it was the collective attitude of societies. It was, however, the arrogance of those in power who saw the use of Christianity as a very effective tool to futher whatever it was they were seeking to gain.

 

[TheBear]

You're missing the point. it was the collective attitude of societies using Christianity to justify putting down dissension, not Christianity.

No. You're missing my point which is - for centuries, many Christians who were sincere, well studied in Biblical teachings, and true believers, praised the Spanish Inquisition as holy and righteous. Only recently has that collective moral attitude changed.

But, I don't want to get off on a huge tangent on this off-topic subject. The important question for this thread, the one you skipped over, (twice now), is this - What I'm looking for are moral and ethical teachings which originated in Biblical writings. Are there any of those?

 

[MaxP]

Originated or perfected?

 

[CreedIsChrist]

You're conflating individual shortcomings, with collective morals. At the time, Christian societies collectively praised the Spanish Inquisition as moral and good.

Well im sure if you read further about it, it would show you the Inquisition was a reaction to the Muslim invasion to protect the europeans so its intentions were good.

And again 3k-5,000 people died in the actual Spanish Inquisition. Compare that to the 10s of millions who died in atheistic Marxist regimes.



"According to a joint BBC/A&E documentary, in the city of Valencia of over 7,000 documented cases, less than 2% experienced any torture at all. It usually lasted no longer than 15 minutes. Fewer than 1% of the prisoners were tortured more than once. Sentences varied from fines to execution (also rare - below 2%[3]) and those condemned had to participate in the ceremony of auto da fé (act of faith'"

 

[TheBear]

Well im sure if you read further about it, it would show you the Inquisition was a reaction to the Muslim invasion to protect the europeans so its intentions were good.

You're confusing the Crusades and the Inquisitions. Although, the Crusades are another topic that ties in, as well as slavery, treating women like chattel, cruel punishments and torture of prisoners, (and I ain't talking about water boarding, either. I'm talking about all those torture wheels, racks, and dungeons where your bones and joints one by one get smashed as you die in agony)

And again 3k-5,000 people died in the actual Spanish Inquisition.

How would you react if on tonight's news, they reported that 3 to 5 thousand Americans died recently, and tens of thousands more have been incarcerated, for the exact same reasons used in the Spanish Inquisition? How would news like that go over with you?

 

[b&wpac4]

Well im sure if you read further about it, it would show you the Inquisition was a reaction to the Muslim invasion to protect the europeans so its intentions were good.

And again 3k-5,000 people died in the actual Spanish Inquisition. Compare that to the 10s of millions who died in atheistic Marxist regimes.

"What my people did was acceptable and alright, but what those OTHER PEOPLE did is horrible and unconscionable! I like applying double standards to actions!"

 

[Verv]

If you are looking for EXCLUSIVE morals from the Bible you are probably not going to find any.

The reason is simple -- the law of God is already etched basically onto the hearts of everyone and thus these morals manifest themselves in most societies.

Perhaps one thing that is distinguishing is that the Buddhists act "morally" for their own personal gain of being released from the world of suffering; thus their notion of being against vanity is more of one of detaching oneself from the superficial of the world. Though it is a criticism of vanity and superficiality it is not so much of a moral condemnation, but more of a crticism.

Perhaps the Bible is the only religious text in origin which truly, on a moral level, condemns vanity. I might be wrong on this. I believe the Koran would condemn as much, too, but the Koran is a text that is rooted strongly in Biblical ideas.

 

[Sojourner1]

I'm not sure this falls under morality or ethics, but there is one thing that is exclusive to the Bible. The idea of other-centered love, or agape love, is unique to the Bible. God loving man with agape love cannot be found in any other religion or world view. "God is Love" is unique to Christianity.