Some theist state that there religion is good because it gives them a moral code. But if that is the case, then why let a religion with a good moral code die? The Greek Myths may not have a set moral code, but I will use the examples set by the Greek heroes as morals.
On killing:
The Greek heroes had no aversion to killing, at least to there enemies.
Christianity swings both ways on this one. They say "Thout shalt not kill" but have billions killed in holey ways.
I will consider this one a tie, as it depends on how you look at it.
On Woman:
The Greek myths value women to a degree. There were several goddesses and some Greek heroes even went to the extend of going into the land of the dead to save there wives.
The Greeks are all for it. Many of there heroes use intellect and wit to get out of sticky situations and they have a goddess assigned to wisdom.
The Bible seems to not care about any wisdom that is not gods and there heroes, such as "Peter and John ... were unlearned and ignorant men", and things telling you to be ignorant.
Point Greek.
lies:
The Greek heroes and gods lie often to save themselves and others trouble. They don't even pretend to be benevolent.
The God of the Bible have harsh punishments for small lies. It once more swings both ways on this, as god and his prophets had lied. "Say, I pray thee, thouart my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee."
So a point to either depending on how you look at it.
Steeling:
The Greeks have little problem with it and actually have a god of thieves.
The Bible still swings both ways. The tend commandments say not to steel, but then god turns around and tells them to "Burrow" the Egyptians things. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Still depends on how you look at it.
Sex:
The Greek had no problem with sex. It created many of there heroes and filled their stories.
The Bible swings both ways(Surprise surprise!). The ten commandments and other things say it is bad, yet angels, prophets, and ordinary people have sex all the time in the stories. Some times with people they are not even married to or even family members, as in the case of Drunken Lot.
Depends how you look at it still.
Sacrifice:
The Greek sacrificed periodically for the enjoyment of there non omnipotent gods. They did not sacrifice human often in the stories, save if they really pissed a god off, and even then they some times live happily ever after.
The Christian god was not opposed to human sacrifices, he even killed a few for that purpose, yet the newer books state to not sacrifice any more because of the divine human sacrifice.
Still depends on how you look at it...
In conclusion, why choose Christianity from a purely moral bases if other religions that you think are totally preposterous have equil, some times better, morals?
Do as you will and harm non. (so long as your actions aren't hurting anyone it's cool.) Mind the law of three. (in other words think before you act.)
Buddhist Moral code. The Pancha Shila, or the five moral precepts.
1.avoid killing or harming any living thing 2.avoid stealing 3.avoid sexual irresponsibility 4.avoid lying, or harmful speech 5.avoid alcoholic and drugs that diminish clarity of consciousness
(interesting how Buddhism could come up with morals similar to the last five of the Bible's big ten without a deity)
If I was going to go with a religion just for a moral code I would go with Wicca myself. But I don't think you really need a religion to come up with a moral code.
I laugh at the argument that people with no religion lack morals. It really makes me chuckle, and then point out the horrors that are done in the name of religion. In fact I dont even have to give examples cos most people already know of countless occasions, be it historical, fantasy (im talking about holy books such as the bible and quoran here) or current.
Anyhoo...
I like the point you made about the greek gods not even trying to pretend they are benevolent. They just say, "you pissed me off, I will turn you into a spider, how dyou like them apples"
I dont count Wicca and Buddism as religions, more like ways of life. Thats a personal viewpoint tho.
I dont count Wicca and Buddism as religions, more like ways of life. Thats a personal viewpoint tho.
Buddhism may be arguable to an extent but Wicca is very much a religion. You have your Gods/Goddesses, your silly rituals, other supernatural beings, ...
Heh, You're wondering why Greek mythology etc disappeared? They christianised Greece, that's why, a serious of occasions in the history of greece etc extincted it.
Like the East roman empire, they christianised it, Constantin was a christian, and he spread it damn well.
From the point about sex The ten commandments and other things say it is bad
Okay, tell me where in the ten commandments it says that sex is bad? It says not to commit ADULTERY, something which tears families apart and ruins the lives of kids.
In that fear will drive us to conform to something. And naturally they way we learn things is from pain. Theres also another side to this and thats curiosity that is when we are willing to risk a painful experience for pleasure. Anyways I see it as we are well trained animals we are being taught things from birth which creates the whole moral issues we see such as don't kill or steal...wouldn't a wild animal do this things to survive.
Morality is more than a cultural predilection. Research in evolutionary and comparative psychology, anthropology and neuroscience reveals it is a heavyweight player in he symbolic world, with deep roots in human nature.
Also morality is not an unique human feature, scientists studying animal behavior believe they have growing evidence that species ranging from mice to primates are governed by moral codes of conduct in the same way as humans.
The reason why animals have some sort of moral code is because they have to restrain their selfishness in order to have a good group living.
I realize that religion is unneeded in moral, but Christians use it as argument why to keep to there faith, and it was even used in the famous scopes trial that brought this to my attention.
There was at least one prophetess in the Bible, and James 2 "In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?"
One female who is looked favorably upon while all others are thought less then men. There are far more verses against women, as shown in the link.
The whole church is called 'the bride of Christ'; in the end, all the church will marry God's son. Do you think that is bisexual? There are more Christian women than Christian men.
That does not mean anything. Do I have to bring up the link again, or do you prefer I just quote on the obvious ones?
LOL... I have a question: have you ever read the Bible for yourself? I must say, it makes some pretty interesting claims there, but note that many of the people with multiple wives didn't make out to great.
You mean like Abraham, who had several concubines, Jacob, who had two wives on top of concubines, and David, who had several concubines and wives?
God is a God of life, in case you've never met a Christian. Whenever he kills, he does so sadly and regretfully I'm afraid.
Yes. She was told not to look back and she did. If you want to embarrass yourself and try to find otherwise, go ahead.
No, you see the Greek religion loved sex all the time, while Catholicism frowns sternly upon it, and you know that no matter how many trivial instances you can pull out of the Bible. WE are constantly out to save the souls of everyone, to ensure a place in heaven by doing the widely accepted good. Are any of the 10 Commandments morally bad?
