How do you justify moral-based laws?

[Konkurrent]

I heartily agree. No one has the right to not be offended. I think it's rude (and unconvincing) to continue telling someone about God when they've asked you to stop. But I don't think it's legally wrong, nor should it be.

Rachel

Exactly. The problems arise when people start expecting or demanding that laws be created that are solely justified by their religious beliefs. If your religious belief happens to support existing laws that are supported by logic, fine. But if there isn't a logical basis independent of religion the law is a religious law. That would make it the same as forcing your morality on others.

 

[quatona]

I agree but ours is not the only atitude on this and I have heard many people offended by any mention of God.

Sorry, but I don´t know what the point is in regards to our discussion.
I said that imposing one´s morals upon someone else is a pre-stage of holy wars, I said that I don´t consider promoting one´s ideas about gods constitutes "imposing morals upon someone else", and I said that people who actively spread love and peace can´t have any means of imposing their morals upon others to their disposal.
So what is it you want to communicate to me?

 

[quatona]

You don't have the right to not be offended.

Fortunately I needn´t take offense.

 

[kopilo]

Does that mean I can (in a valid fashion) be offended by mention of the tooth fairy? Will people stop speaking of the tooth fairy for me?

Rachel

For a while I did take offence at the mention of 'the stork' and still do to some degree. There is no reason to teach a child a false idea.

 

[TricksterWolf]

For a while I did take offence at the mention of 'the stork' and still do to some degree. There is no reason to teach a child a false idea.

Well, there is some ritualistic significance to the use of mythology with children; only in recent cultures has it been a problem. Santa never sat with me well either, personally, but that's partly because of the schism many young Christians feel between the stories of the Bible and other stories of mythology. Children are expected to believe in Santa and Jesus, then stop believing in Santa but retain belief in Jesus. It seems rather hypocritical and arbitrary.

Trickster

 

[MoonlessNight]

Well, there is some ritualistic significance to the use of mythology with children; only in recent cultures has it been a problem. Santa never sat with me well either, personally, but that's partly because of the schism many young Christians feel between the stories of the Bible and other stories of mythology. Children are expected to believe in Santa and Jesus, then stop believing in Santa but retain belief in Jesus. It seems rather hypocritical and arbitrary.

Trickster

I think that one difference is that I don't give kids presents and tell them that Reynard or the Big Bad Wolf or Cinderella or even Jesus or whoever else gave it to them. Santa and the tooth fairy in particular require deliberate deception to uphold the mythology.

Also for your specific example I could point out that none of the new testament (except maybe Revelation) is written in a mythological style or tone, and neither does it treat mythological subjects, so pulling up Jesus is a bit unfair. But then again Santa Claus isn't exactly "a myth" in the strictess sense (and in my opinion) and I don't want to get this thread into a discussion of mythology so I guess I won't make a big deal of that part.

 

[kopilo]

Well, there is some ritualistic significance to the use of mythology with children; only in recent cultures has it been a problem. Santa never sat with me well either, personally, but that's partly because of the schism many young Christians feel between the stories of the Bible and other stories of mythology. Children are expected to believe in Santa and Jesus, then stop believing in Santa but retain belief in Jesus. It seems rather hypocritical and arbitrary.

Trickster

Well it is human nature, if we buy a book and find one lie in it, we arn't going to trust what else the books states as being true.

Of course not all Christians expect children to believe in Santa, and some even go as far as to state the truth on Santa (but I think that is going a little too far).

 

[elman]

Sorry, but I don´t know what the point is in regards to our discussion.
I said that imposing one´s morals upon someone else is a pre-stage of holy wars, I said that I don´t consider promoting one´s ideas about gods constitutes "imposing morals upon someone else", and I said that people who actively spread love and peace can´t have any means of imposing their morals upon others to their disposal.
So what is it you want to communicate to me?

I guess i am saying it is subjective as to if someone is imposing their morals on you by talking about their religion.

 

[quatona]

I guess i am saying it is subjective as to if someone is imposing their morals on you by talking about their religion.

Oh, no disagreement there. Entirely subjective, as are all concepts that have a moral or ethical implication. Self-defense, just to name the first that comes to mind.