Holyday
It’s Holy Week here in the Catholic world. Preparing to commemorate the murder and resurrection of God made man. Easter dontchaknow. Catholicism isn’t really my thing. In fact, the whole dogmatic religion thing – particularly when based upon the political writing of mystics from another civilisation – simply makes no sense to me. I’d go further… it repels me somewhat.
Albert Einstein once said that “morality is of the highest importance – but for us, not for God”. And I believe that to be true. Allowing the long-dead prophets of dead societies write our rules of Right and Wrong is a heinous crime against ourselves. By shirking responsibility for our own moral system, we fail to engage in some of the most important debates that human beings should be having. And by tying our morality to books filled with superstition, we run the danger of losing all sense of moral responsibility when those superstitions cease to hold the minds of the people.
None of which means I won’t be taking advantage of the opportunity for a few days holiday. I’ll be visiting my folks down in West Cork for a long weekend. I’m spending most of tomorrow travelling; then eating lovely food and enjoying the idyllic clifftop setting until Sunday and finally spending most of Monday travelling back. Which means it’s possible I won’t post again until Tuesday. So until then… stay groovy.
Have you noticed how the word ‘morality’ has become inextricably linked to religion?
Why can we not be seen to teach our children morality outwith the doctrines of the church?
I believe myself to be a good person, I take into account the morality of my actions, I question my own morality at every turn, but I am an athiest.
I do not belong to any organisations/cult/churches or political group. I am on my own. Does this make me unfit to instill morality in my children?
I think not.
I will, however, enjoy the long weekend off work.
Thanks Jesus.
April 13th, 2006 | 1:10am
by Pisces Iscariot
ditto for me! I plan on loafing around uselessly all weekend.
hope you enjoy the time off 🙂
April 13th, 2006 | 11:52pm
by L
“Allowing the long-dead prophets of dead societies write our rules of Right and Wrong is a heinous crime against ourselves.”
I agree, but let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” must be one of the most profoundly wise dictums (dicta?) ever uttered by a human being.
And, just to answer Pisces Iscariot’s point above, it’s perfectly possible to teach morality outside of a religious framework. It’s just a lot harder to help them understand why certain things are ‘good’ and other things ‘bad’. Saying, “be good or God will get you” is much quicker than saying, “be good, because the actions you perform have consequences which affect other people in society and affects the way they behave, meaning that their actions may change with a possible negative impact upon other people including you, which may mean you’re worse off as a result of the action you first took” – even if the latter is more accurate (I hope).
April 18th, 2006 | 10:26am
by Oscar Wildebeest
Oscar, here’s a moral dilemma for you. Your rather ace “be good, because the actions you perform…” tract is adequately summed up in the movie “Pay It Forward“.
Now, would you be doing good by exhorting people to watch a film who’s core message is to do only good in this world or would recommending such an execrable, time-wasting piece of shit in fact be a heinous act of immorality? Discuss.
April 18th, 2006 | 4:44pm
by Justin
Are atheists the people that don’t need moralistic dogma to stop them raping an murdering all over the place? ie. ‘Nicer’ people?
Penn Jillette (on his radio show) made quite a thing about a survey of american prisoners where only about 1% described themselves as athiest. What that says about understanding why certain things are ‘good’ and other things ‘bad’, I’ll leave up to you.
April 18th, 2006 | 4:59pm
by Tony Kiernan
Fair point, Justin, but that only goes to show that Hollywood shouldn’t do philosophy. Anyway, every film made about Jesus is crap, except Jesus of Montreal and that one by Pasolini.
April 19th, 2006 | 11:05am
by Oscar Wildebeest
Let’s not forget ‘The Life of Brian’ Oscar.
April 19th, 2006 | 6:45pm
by Pisces Iscariot
“be good, or the actions etc.”
Or, to put it another way – karma.
April 20th, 2006 | 5:35pm
by Jez
Life of Brian’s not really about Jesus. Who are you, Malcolm Muggeridge?
April 26th, 2006 | 11:01am
by Oscar Wildebeest