[...]Wednesday 20th July 2011, Ray Comfort, Round 2! « Thunderf00t[...]…

[...]Wednesday 20th July 2011, Ray Comfort, Round 2! « Thunderf00t[...]…

[...]Wednesday 20th July 2011, Ray Comfort, Round 2! « Thunderf00t[...]…

Thanks for all you do TF.

You seem to occupy / defending a contextually relative, naturalistic meta-ethical theory. Yes, there is some room for variation and or choice; yes, context matters; and yes, there are — biological, chemical, physcial, etc., — absolutes, given what kind of critter we are (morality has to be a morality that we use, we apply).

In the context of “obeying norms” or following norms, etc., may I be so bold as to offer a suggestion?

When a theist of whatever stripe offers you some version of the “A person can’t be good without God” line, challenge them with a parralel: many normative activites get along perfectly well and in a more or less non-mysterious way without any “Commander” or “Creator fo the Laws”– logic, math, grammar, essay writing, etc., etc., Keep in mind, these are norm-based activities that the person you are debating with uses every day.

All of these fields generate binding norms (A person ought to agree that -(A & -A)– The law of non-contradiction; A person ought to agree that ten dollar bill, and ten singles is a mathematically appropriate way to make change for a $20; and etc.,)

Why is morality so special it needs “God”? (Even Kant said it just needed reason!).

Tim

[...]Wednesday 20th July 2011, Ray Comfort, Round 2! « Thunderf00t[...]…

There’s a beer (or equivalent) waiting for you if you ever happen to find yourself in Salisbury, Wilts.

Another reason I think the evangelical leaders such as Ray Comfort, and countless other sincere and not so sincere people will never listen to reason is because they have such an investment and a financial interest in not changing. Can you imagine Ray Comfort suddenly going on air and saying – “You know, I’ve just realized I’ve wasted my entire life pursuing a fantasy and not only that but I’ve unwittingly bilked all of you followers for millions of dollars. I guess I will now shut down my only source of income and close my church. Sorry about that, ha ha!”

It just is never going to happen, and so maybe Ray Comfort has brainwashed his own self in order to avoid this awkward situation. In other words, these people really are mentally ill. How else would you classify a mind which refuses to accept reality, preferring fantasy? Clearly, those who deny reality are indeed mentally ill. (And I was also mentally ill, but I cured myself with much support from everyone).