Value

Originally posted by Halitose
Capable, yes. I wont deny you that. Actually getting out of your comfort zone and doing something about your feelings is another matter entirely.

I'm curious, are you suggesting that atheists are more prone to an apathy of empathy?

Originally posted by Starrman
I'm curious, are you suggesting that atheists are more prone to an apathy of empathy?

I think we are all prone to a passive empathy, religious and atheist alike.

Originally posted by Halitose
[b]Quit prancing around on your moral high ground in the meantime.

Huh??? 😕

What else would it take?

Jam 1:27 Pure religion... is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction...

The Golden Rule could also be alluded to here.[/b]

Sorry, I must have read something into your statements that wasn't there.

So, pure religion is applying the Golden Rule? Anyone who wanted to could do that.

Would visiting (and presumably aiding) the destitute out of duty (strict adherence to the letter) without any sense of compassion be of any use?

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Sorry, I must have read something into your statements that wasn't there.

So, pure religion is applying the Golden Rule? Anyone who wanted to could do that.

Would visiting (and presumably aiding) the destitute out of duty (strict adherence to the letter) without any sense of compassion be of any use?

Methinks compassion is an essential ingredient...

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Sorry, I must have read something into your statements that wasn't there.

So, pure religion is applying the Golden Rule? Anyone who wanted to could do that.

Would visiting (and presumably aiding) the destitute out of duty (strict adherence to the letter) without any sense of compassion be of any use?

So, pure religion is applying the Golden Rule? Anyone who wanted to could do that.

Did you notice "religion" in that line?

Originally posted by Halitose
Methinks compassion is an essential ingredient...

I would still love to hear the theory on how compassion evolved...

Originally posted by Halitose
[b]So, pure religion is applying the Golden Rule? Anyone who wanted to could do that.

Did you notice "religion" in that line?[/b]

Forgive me, I must have misunderstood your purpose in quoting James. Please explain what you meant.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Forgive me, I must have misunderstood your purpose in quoting James. Please explain what you meant.

Religion should lead to a life of practical benevolence;

Originally posted by Halitose
Religion should lead to a life of practical benevolence;

Charity begins at home.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Charity begins at home.

The problem is when it ends there.

Originally posted by The Chess Express
All this bickering over nothing.

For those who believe in God, the value is obvious. God loves his children, etc

Most atheists would agree that humans have a sense of empathy, so let empathy as well as the rights afforded by the law be the standard of value.

Either way, a human life has value.

Peace.

Just because we have empathy and feel we have value does not mean its true.

Originally posted by LordOfTheChessboard
Just because we have empathy and feel we have value does not mean its true.

What does mean it is true?

Originally posted by Starrman
What [b]does mean it is true?[/b]

Dont ask me, im the know-nothing.😀

Originally posted by Halitose
The problem is when it ends there.

How do you suggest that it be extended? Taking proper care of one's family is no mean feat, much less so an extended family.

Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
For those who believe in the christian god, the value for many human lives runs out on judgment day, when the majority of them are deemed worthless and subjected to eternal torment. I don't hear any empathy for them. Especially considering that eternity is like, a waaaaay longer period for suffering than anything here on earth.

Psalm 16:9-10 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest is hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Not everyone, Christian or not, believes the same about hell.