James Lashley If we are merely advanced pond scum, why is it wrong to lie despite what the person being

lied to thinks? How can we hold anyone to any kind of moral standard, and what is that standard? Like More Tuesday at 5:36pm

Atheist 1 ZZZZzzzzzzzZZzzzzzz Boy, that holier-than-thou bull@#*! gets old. Christians don't have a monopoly on morality. Like 1 Tuesday at 5:58pm

Christian 2 We sure don't, but God does. He authored it and is the only source of absolute truth and absolute morality. Like 1 Tuesday at 6:01pm

Atheist 2 cant have absolute morality when you kill an entire planet save for a few animal couples and one family because your pissy that people aren't doing as you say...good thing all the immoral people don't do as he does. Like 1 Tuesday at 6:12pm

Atheist 1 Right, and the 40,000 sects of Christianity gets to decide what he actually wants. You guys can't even decide who is right within your own religion. How can you possibly claim ultimate moral authority? And make no mistake, you Mark Henderson and James Lashley are claiming it. Like Tuesday at 6:15pm

Christian 1

He's God, he does what he wants. The problem with most people is that they think they could do better and make themselves out to be God. Humble yourself, repent and get to know the real true saviour of man, Jesus Christ. Not the made up god of American churchianity, but the one true, Holy living God who created you. Like Tuesday at 6:15pm

James Lashley "Christians don't have a monopoly on morality." Christians have a basis for morality. What basis do you have? Like More Tuesday at 6:55pm

James Lashley "Right, and the 40,000 sects of Christianity gets to decide what he actually wants. You guys can't even decide who is right within your own religion. How can you possibly claim ultimate moral authority?" Sin affects everyone. So, of course we are unable to be perfect. I do not claim ultimate moral authority. That belongs to GOD alone. You apparently hold Mark and I in some kind of contempt, given your tone, what moral standard are we violating? Like More Tuesday at 7:06pm

Atheist 1 I do hold you in contempt. You follow the same line of thought that makes it OK for Ray to posts cartoons like this: <https://sphotos-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q71/s720x720/1175491_65365597 1311237_1221194904_n.jpg> I find it offensive. You are allowed to be offensive but I'm also allowed to be disgusted by your behavior. Like Tuesday at 7:14pm

Atheist 1
"Christians have a basis for morality. What basis do you have?"

You can keep saying this as if it were true. I can find (easily) dozens of examples of Christians doing terrible things, both personally, and in the name of God. Does that make you personally as bad as them (of course not) but it sure shoots a hole in your "Universal Basis for Morality" You personally think you have a universal basis for morality. You probably are a good person who lives by a strict and righteous moral code. But stop pretending that your own version of morality is the ultimate one. You don't speak for your God. Like Tuesday at 7:20pm

Christian 3 Once again Dirk ... don't follow the Christian, follow Jesus and what He taught. Humans will let you down every time. The universal basis for absolute morality exists. But it hard for even the best Christian to follow it 100% of the time. Our justice system and our constitution are both predicated on that "universal absolute moral standard". Like Tuesday at 8:03pm

James Lashley
"I do hold you in contempt. You follow the same line of thought that makes it OK for Ray to posts cartoons like this"

What line of thought would that be, can you be specific? Also, don't you think you are being a bit presumptive.

"I find it offensive. You are allowed to be offensive but I'm also allowed to be disgusted by your behavior."

So, in your saying "I find it offensive" do you mean you personally and subjectively find it wrong? Or, do you mean it's REALLY WRONG?

"You can keep saying this as if it were true"

But of course it is true. If you contend that it's not, then what is truth in your worldview, or what is your definition of truth?

"I can find (easily) dozens of examples of Christians doing terrible things, both personally, and in the name of God."

And to blanket the entire faith due to the actions of some would constitute a hasty generalization. As I have already stated, humans are naturally sinful therefore our obedience will be imperfect. Also, just because someone names the name of Christ, does not mean they are truly one of HIS sheep. There are such a thing as goats.

"Does that make you personally as bad as them (of course not)..." Thank you for the benefit of the doubt... "but it sure shoots a hole in your (Universal Basis for Morality)"

I don't think so... especially since you have based this assertion on the above hasty generalization. I can assert the exact opposite, (I can find easily dozens of examples of Christians doing wonderful things, both personally, and in the name of God. Therefore, it sure validates my Universal Basis for Morality)

"You personally think you have a universal basis for morality. You probably are a good person who lives by a strict and righteous moral code. But stop pretending that your own version of morality is the ultimate one."

Firstly, Again thank you for assuming the best in me. This is very cordial of you. Secondly, Allow me to say. You personally think you have a universal basis for morality. You probably are a good person who lives by a strict and righteous moral code. But stop pretending that your own version of morality is the ultimate one. Thirdly, You continue to hold me and others to some moral standard, to which I have yet to see you identify. Much less give justification for.

"You don't speak for your God"

This is an assertion I would be curious as to how you KNOW such. Like 1 More Tuesday at 9:08pm

Atheist 1 I'm not going to respond to all of your drivel, I'll just point to the one part that exposes your hypocrisy. You quoted when I said: ""I can find (easily) dozens of examples of Christians doing terrible things, both personally, and in the name of God." Then you chastize me by saying: And to blanket the entire faith due to the actions of some would constitute a hasty generalization. But what you wait to say is that what I said after that line was: Does that make you personally as bad as them (of course not) All you are interested in is playing semantic arguments where you can pretend that you are the source of morality through your god. What a sad person you must be to go around judging people all the time pretending it is your god who is doing so. Edited Like Tuesday at 10:34pm

Atheist 1 One addition. Because judging is really the end goal for you. This is what I hear you saying, "My belief system is better than everyone elses. My morals are better than theirs. I'll have eternal paradise while they are tortured eternally because they don't believe exactly as I do." It is people like you who have done more to drive me personally from religion than anything else. Edited Like 2 Tuesday at 10:36pm

James Lashley
"I'm not going to respond to all of your drivel..."

Well, if you wish to take such a dismissive attitude, it equates to your claims merely becoming arbitrary assertions if you refuse to justify them. Vice versa, I can arbitrarily assert whatever I want with just as much authority.

"I'll just point to the one part that exposes your hypocrisy"

Even if I were being hypocritical, according to your worldview why would that be wrong? You have yet to give me a standard.

"You quoted when I said: [I can find (easily) dozens of examples of Christians doing terrible things, both personally, and in the name of God.] Then you chastize me by saying: And to blanket the entire faith due to the actions of some would constitute a hasty generalization. But what you wait to say is that what I said after that line was: [Does that make you personally as bad as them (of course not)]"

Really not seeing your point here. I sincerely did appreciate the generous comment. But, I am holding you to a standard of rationality in not introducing logical fallacies to uphold your position.

"All you are interested in is playing semantic arguments where you can pretend that you are the source of morality through your god."

Is it true I am playing semantic arguments? Is it wrong to play semantic arguments? All I have done is ask you foundational questions with regards to your standard of morality and truth. You make assertions, such as this one, and then feel as if no justification is needed.

"What a sad person you must be to go around judging people all the time pretending it is your god who is doing so."

The ad hominem aside. Given this comment I must ask, is it wrong to judge people? If so, I find it ironic that you have JUDGED ME, based upon the assumption I have judged others.

"One addition. Because judging is really the end goal for you."

How do you KNOW this is my end goal?

"This is what I hear you saying, [My belief system is better than everyone elses."

It is the only one that is coherent, consistent, and true.

"My morals are better than theirs."

Personally, my morals stink. But, that is in comparison to the standard of GODS Word.

"I'll have eternal paradise while they are tortured eternally because they don't believe exactly as I do.]"

The distinction I would make regarding what is to be believed... only one thing. If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

"It is people like you who have done more to drive me personally from religion than anything else."

So far, your whole tirade throughout, has been one abusive ad hominem attack. It attempts to poison the well and has no real relevence to the truth of the issue at hand.

Furthermore Dirk, if you look back through our comments I do not think you will find me having judged you. It is not my job to do such, (For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don't you judge those who are inside?- 1 Corinthians 5:12) I would not pretend to be a selfrighteous person. I am a flawed man, and my wife could attest to this. Neither would I presume to say that you are an immoral person because you are an unbeliever. It is evident you hold that there are such concepts as right and wrong. And I attribute that to the fact you are made in the Imago Dei (Image of GOD). I have friends who are atheists and are as good as gold, very moral individuals, and I love them immensely. However, whenever I put them to the same questions I have put to you, they are unable to answer. On what basis do you say anything is right or wrong? What is your definition of truth? These are not semantics, but foundational questions dealing with metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics that philosophers have addressed for centuries. I have no ill feelings toward you. And, I hope you do not mistake my challenges to you as hateful.