I've noticed by reading many threads on the matter that there only seems to be two ways to have morals. Either through God as outlined throughout The Bible, or through evolution-explanations, which also seems to have been dubbed Darwinian-mechanisms. This puzzles me, since I do not believe in the Christian God and I don't think I take my morals from The Bible. I also don't think I follow evolution-explanations for my morals. I find these explanations very strange, and sometimes even ridiculous.
I derived the morals in my life in two stages. First, by accepting what I was told by trusted authority figures (parents, priest, teachers...). And secondly moving on to a basic use of Empathy. If I feel that a certain action is evil, or good; generally by wondering if anyone is being hurt. Then I deem it as being bad, or right.
I would like to discuss whether or not people find my reasoning into my morals as logical, correct, or even valid. I want to debate these ideas in order for myself to better grasp my own thoughts, and possibly even to be persuaded that I do indeed follow God or evolution-explanations for my morals, and I'm just currently unaware.
For example: Murder is condemned by one of the 10 commandments. I've also read of an evolution-explanation that murder reduces the number of people in the local area, thus harming the society's overall chances of survival and is therefore wrong.
-I do not think Murder is wrong because a book says so.
-I do not think Murder is wrong because it will reduce the number of people around me and therefore reducing our survival-chances.
-I think Murder is wrong because it ends a person's life and I see no reason why someone should be able to make that decision and remove so many of another's abilities.. basically.. all of them. I would not want someone to Murder me, nor do I think anyone should be able to freely exert such oppression over anyone else.
I think this should be placed in Faith and Belief, although I admit.. that's just where I lurk the most :]
Edited by Stile, : My smiley-guy got cut-off
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