I find the notion that an omnipotent God is needed for one to establish a moral code offensive to the extreme (especially considering that the God of the Old Testament is one of the cruelest and most vengeful in theological history.) You want to know why I don't rape and steal? Because those cause pain and suffering to others, and because a society that tolerates acts like that would self-destruct, because no-one would trust each other. There are some moral laws that one must follow by neccesity in order for a society to exist.

Evolution and altruism are not mutually exclusive. Say it with me. *Evolution and altruism are not mutually exclusive.* *Evolution and altruism are not mutually exclusive.* There is a distinct evolutionary advantage to taking care of your own. It leads to cooperation and strength in numbers.

"we are all just evolved monkeys, and when we die we just die, why should we even care what we do?"

Because this is all we have. Enjoying it now with others is the best we can hope for.

Do unto others as you would have done unto you. That's it. You don't need a God, a heaven, a hell, or a judgment day to enforce that.

• Who mentioned enforcement? - fasteddy - September 15, 2002 - 01:09 UTC
• and more traits.... - emperor__alikar - September 15, 2002 - 03:07 UTC
  • Riiight - stormcrow - September 15, 2002 - 03:30 UTC
    • I don't understand... - fasteddy - September 16, 2002 - 02:30 UTC
      • That seems to be your defining trait - stormcrow - September 16, 2002 - 03:27 UTC
        • Stormy, you haven't earned your own wings yet - quiet - September 16, 2002 - 17:45 UTC
          • Thank you - fasteddy - September 16, 2002 - 21:47 UTC
        • You seem not to understand.... - fasteddy - September 16, 2002 - 21:56 UTC
          • You seem to be Scott Abernathy - quiet - September 17, 2002 - 04:00 UTC