Re: [asa] An Evolutionary Theory of Right and Wrong

What I pointed out is that Christian morality seems to be as
'arbitrary' as any other morality as it interprets and applies some
of the basic rules given to us. What I also point out is that these
basic rules may exist as an innate moral grammar.

Of course, that the ten commandments can be reduced to the outcome
of evolutionary processes, is not 'proof' but it make logical sense
if one accepts that evolution is God's mechanism for Creation of man.
Of course there is no proof, this is about reconciling scientific
findings with religious teachings and beliefs. So if evolution is a
God given process and if evolution led His Creation to 'learn' the
basic rules of morality, as outlined in the Bible, then who am I to
argue?

Does Marx promise 'paradise on earth'? How does the Marxist concept
of this 'paradise' compare to a Christian notion? Now I agree that
communism and religion share some hopes especially when it comes to
social justice, but I fail to see, and this is where you may be able
to help, how communism relates to paradise on earth.

Is paradise the right word to describe the communist concept ?

On Nov 8, 2006, at 9:06 AM, Alexanian, Moorad wrote:

> I personally have never attacked communism by the actions of
> Stalinists.
> I have attacked communism/Marxism because it is contrary to the nature
> of human beings as exemplified by the foolish Marxist notion of the
> New
> Man---paradise on earth, which even Christ does not promise.
>
> You argue that "much of the Ten Commandments can be reduced to the
> outcome of simple evolutionary processes," but that does not
> constitute
> a proof. Mere words prove nothing. I assume that the Ten Commandments
> are God given. What is your assumption?
>
> Moorad
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pim van Meurs [mailto:pimvanmeurs@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 11:52 AM
> To: Alexanian, Moorad
> Cc: David Campbell; asa@calvin.edu
> Subject: Re: [asa] An Evolutionary Theory of Right and Wrong
>
> I do not defend the actions of those who call themselves communist,
> what do their actions have to do with communism anyway.
>
> kill...,murder... it's very much the same thing. although some may
> have (re)interpreted the commandment to allow the killing in self
> defense, death penalties and war, one cannot escape the notion that
> these concepts have been shaped to meet the needs of societies.
>
> I argue that much of the ten commandments can be reduced to the
> outcome of simple evolutionary processes, whether or not this means
> that they are 'man made' is a matter of philosophy.
>
>
> On Nov 8, 2006, at 5:52 AM, Alexanian, Moorad wrote:
>
>> Some actually read, "Thou shall not kill" actually as "Thou shall not
>> murder." Are you implying that laws like the Ten Commandments are
>> man-made? I do not defend the actions of people that call themselves
>> Christians. What do their actions have to do with Christ anyway?
>>
>> Moorad
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Pim van Meurs [mailto:pimvanmeurs@yahoo.com]
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 11:58 PM
>> To: Alexanian, Moorad
>> Cc: David Campbell; asa@calvin.edu
>> Subject: Re: [asa] An Evolutionary Theory of Right and Wrong
>>
>>
>> On Nov 7, 2006, at 2:35 PM, Alexanian, Moorad wrote:
>>
>>> I think there is a fundamental difference between laws like "Speed
>>> Limit 60 mph" and "Thou should not steal." Surely, Communists and
>>> Nazis have their "moral" laws that are arbitrary and certainly do
>>> not apply to them. That is a typical feature of man-made laws,
>>> whereas true moral laws are two-edged swords that cut both ways.
>>
>> What other laws other than man made laws do there exist? Natural law
>> does not even necessarily take the form of absolutes. For instance
>> 'thou shall not kill' still allows for self defense, warfare etc. The
>> communists and Nazis have moral laws that in many way are not
>> different from the Christian laws that led to the demise of millions.
>>
>>
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Received on Wed Nov 8 12:27:44 2006