<p>Sexual morals are derived from religion.</p>
<p>"Someone earlier made a comment about Ancient Greece being an essentially nonreligious society. That was incorrect, I believe. There were many Greek gods and goddesses and many temples and oracles dedicated to them."</p>
<p>That person would be me. And, here's the thing: religion was not the same. The gods were not omnipotent, they were HUMAN-ESQUE. Therefore, angering Athena (or Minerva) would be like angering a neighbor you've never met.</p>
<p>So they believed in gods. It's religious, yes--but not in the same way it is connotated with today. They didn't live to attain a spot at Mt. Olympus or anything. Gods and goddesses were merely explanations for things they couldn't explain.</p>
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So, trancestorm, you still haven't answered the question. What principles do you live by? (thanks for the quote tip)
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<p>can you please be more specific. in general i strive to look at all situations logically and objectively, i judge situations by evidence presented, and i question everything</p>
<p>Yes,my anti-gay marriage stance stems 100% from religion. They can go have a civil union, but if they get married in a Roman Catholic church than it insults marriage IMO.</p>
<p>"i judge situations by evidence presented, and i question everything"</p>
<p>So you're about 100% self interest basically.</p>
<p>stewie, that's not true.</p>
<p>I have sexual morals. I don't agree with pre-marital sex.</p>
<p>AND THEY DO <em>NOT</em> derive from religion, as I am mostly atheist.</p>
<p>Why do I have these morals? Because I feel that the more people you have sex with, the more meaningless sex becomes. Also, the more people you have sex with, the more chances you have of getting an STI.</p>
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mostly atheist.
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<p>How is that possible, you can't be partly a religion. You are or you aren't.</p>
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So what do you athiests think, why are you living?
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<p>That depends. Not all atheists are the same. Some hedonists may live for pleasure while buddhists may live for nirvana. It depends</p>
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Sexual morals are derived from religion.
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<p>not at all, there are practical reasons (society would dictate that) some sexual situations are not appropriate. As an atheist, i am not more inclined to have premarital sex or have sex with my mother than any practicing christian is or any other amoral sexual situation that christianity prescribes.</p>
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How is that possible, you can't be partly a religion. You are or you aren't
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<p>too muuch generalization. focus on his point.</p>
<p>I, personally, DO believe in God and I really like this quote:</p>
<p>"I believe in [God] as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
C. S. Lewis</p>
<p>I replied to this thread, not to try to change anyone's viewpoint or opinion (which I know is pointless and is actually inappropriate and disrespectful to even attempt), but to just throw my personal views out there.</p>
<p>with that, i must say that break ends tomorrow, so i will no longer be able to keep up with this discussion the way i have.</p>
<p>Pleasure debating with all of you</p>
<p>Pleasure seeing an atheist leave.</p>
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So what do you athiests think, why are you living?
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<p>I'm not really atheist. I guess more like agnostic - I'm open to the possibility of a higher power, just need more evidence.</p>
<p>However, as a person who doesn't necessarily rely on belief of a supreme being, I believe life is as precious as ever. Because to me there is a possibility of there being no afterlife, I strive to make my one, brief life on earth as meaningful as possible. In other words, I want to live a fruitful life, which to me signifies attaining my secular goals, loving my parents, and having a family of my own one day. I'm aware of the fact that my existence on this planet may not be forever etched in history (those after my grandchildren will probably forget me). However, I will rest content that I lived the best life I possibly could.</p>
<p>i couldnt resist one more</p>
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not to try to change anyone's viewpoint or opinion (which I know is pointless and is actually inappropriate and disrespectful to even attempt), but to just throw my personal views out there.
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<p>i disagree...i think we are grown enough to make our own discisions. We can filter out any info we think is bad. It is not inappropriate to attempt, in the end, the reader decides all.</p>
<p>it is useful to note that killer angel has not made one factual assertion in his/her entire lifespan on this thread</p>
<p>I mean religion seems to be the only major force advocating sexual morality. The media certainly doesn't. The government doesn't.</p>
<p>I don't really believe that a permanent monogamous homosexual relationship is immoral. I go against the prevailing current of evangelical opinion on that one. By sexual morality I am talking about premarital and extramarital sex. </p>
<p>Religion is also needed to fight against abortion. I understand that not every atheist would make that choice (and certainly many would not), but few would try to advocate against it.</p>
<p>Finally, often man does need confirmation that his views are moral. You say that man has a natural inborn morality and I agree with you, but his natural instinctual morality is not perfect. Man must be taught what is right and wrong, and religions have advocated mostly the same message throughout history. Even the atheist's morality has been shaped and benefited from religion.</p>
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it is useful to note that killer angel has not made one factual assertion in his/her entire lifespan on this thread
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<p>Read page 34.</p>
<p>And now that I think about it, I guess you don't really need religion to advocate against extramarital sex. I was wrong.</p>
<p>All you really need is a spouse with a shotgun. :)</p>
<p>i agree with stewie, just look at the slaveowners back in the 19th century, they practiced religion that was more strict than what we have today, so its obvious that these beliefs must be instilled at an early age for people to learn them. Some elements of violent culture and hate are still alive in the deep south. Although I dont believe in religion, I believe it plays an important part in instilling morals and explaining why we have morals.</p>
<p>Yes, most definitely, I believe in God. To me, it takes a lot more "faith" not to believe in God. After really being an athiest (I called myself agnostic), my mind finally discovered there must be a God. Then, my heart followed. Without God, life seems pointless.</p>