No, those are despicable moments from his life, which is exactly why I said that in those regards I don't admire him. However - considering who he was, he lived in a very restrained manner (excluding those incidents). He was one of the richest men of his time - you are aware that he could've had sex with a different woman every single night for example, and yet he didn't.Like when he made a Woman fall down from the stairs and then rejoiced when she died years later? Or when he committed fornication? — Beebert
The fact that it has destroyed the lives of many is stupid beyond measure. How does it destroy your life?! Do you, like a beast of the fields, think that if you are destined 100% to go to hell, than you might as well go around committing all the immoralities possible, and living a base life? Do you, if you are 100% destined to hell, refuse to enjoy the remaining time until that lake of fire?! That opinion is ABSURD.That it is a sick belief that has destroyed the life of many. As I said, now for the third time: This preaching has been used to mentally oppressing and tormenting people so that they become insane of all superstitions and lose hope and the ability to love. So the opposite effect of what christianity should actually intend to preach. — Beebert
Even if we did not know that our mind is eternal, we would still regard as of the first importance morality, religion, and absolutely all the things we have shown to be related to tenacity and nobility [...] The usual conviction of the multitude seems to be different. For most people apparently believe that they are free to the extent that they are permitted to yield to their lust, and that they give up their right to the extent that they are bound to live according to the rule of the divine law. Morality, then, and religion, and absolutely everything related to strength of character, they believe to be burdens, which they hope to put down after death, when they also hope to recieve a reward for their bondage, that is, for their morality and religion. They are induced to live according to the rule of the divine law (as far as their weakness and lack of character allows) not only by this hope, but also, and especially, by the fear that they may be punished horribly after death. If men did not have this hope and fear, but believed instead that minds die with the body, and that the wretched, exhausted with the burden of morality, cannot look forward to a life to come, they would return to their natural disposition, and would prefer to govern all their actions according to lust, and to obey fortune rather than themselves. These opinions seem no less absurd to me than if someone, because he does not believe he can nourish his body with good food to eternity, should prefer to fill himself with poisons and other deadly things, or because he sees that the mind is not eternal, or immortal, should preffer to be mindless, and to live without reason. These [common beliefs] are so absurd they are hardly worth mentioning. — Benedictus de Spinoza
Wait. So is she a prostitute, or is she someone who has been sexually abused by her father? The latter wouldn't be her sin. The fact she is a prostitute is sinful if it's something she chooses (if she could do something else, but refuses). However, she shouldn't be condemned if she repents and feels sorry for what she has done in her heart.Take a prostitute; perhaps her belief in love has betrayed her, Perhaps she was sexually abused by her father as a Child. Then comes a hell fire-preacher and condemns her. Is that your Christianity? — Beebert
I agree with both those versions - they are in fact one and the same.You seem to want Christ to Cure them for the SAKE of morality, while I would want them cured so that they will not destroy themselves, so that they can finally trust that there are good things in life too, like love etc. — Beebert
Absolutely, I agree with that. I agree that virtue is its own reward, and vice is its own punishment.But I say : Fornication is bad mig because you break a rule, but because you injure your soul and potentially therefore other souls too. — Beebert
I would condemn them if they don't repent. If, and when they do repent, then I will join you in condemning those who condemn them.But if they did, I would not condemn THEM. — Beebert
Sometimes, but not always. There are prostitutes, especially those who activate as escorts in the more expensive price ranges, who do it for pleasure and money (they can earn a lot in an easy way in that manner). I'm not talking about the side of the road type of prostitutes, most of whom are forced to do the work that they do, quite often under the threat of death or worse. They are indeed to be pitied and helped, not condemned.The fact that someone has been sexually abused as a child often leads to prostitution later in life? Understand? — Beebert
Hate is too strong. I dislike people who are immoral and don't even feel sorry for being immoral. I tend not to associate myself with such people. I have no problem with people who have been immoral and repent.I meant that it seems to me that you just hate immorality and immoral People because you hate it — Beebert
Eudaimonia doesn't translate as happiness. It translates best as flourishing. I'm not a utilitarian because I don't believe you do good for the reward, but rather you do good for itself - doing good is its own reward. Nor do I believe in the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers (another false utilitarian principle). As for being a hedonist, no - since a hedonist takes pleasure to be the highest good, and I don't. Flourishing may involve some element of pain too.So happiness is the purpose? What kind of happiness? Dont you run the risk now though of turning in to some sort of heavenly utilitarian or hedonist or something? — Beebert
So suppose your friend robs an old lady in the street, and he comes and tells you. What do you do? Do you congratulate him for what he's done? What if he tells you: "well she deserved it, what does she need money for?! She's old, a step away from the grave, while I'm young, it's right that I get the dough". What will you say? Will you be like - "oh how nice of you, come here, I love you very much!"I see. I just find the word moral/immoral to be Hard to use here, because Everything is about the human heart, and we cant judge others heart. The best way to change a person's behavior isnt to condemn and dislike them I believe. — Beebert
No, I think the problem was precisely that they did NOT actually follow the law, but quite the contrary. They pretended to follow the law only. When they brought the woman to be stoned, why did they not also bring the man? Jewish law demands that both are stoned, and they can only be stoned if caught in the act. So were they not hypocrites who did not respect the law?! That's exactly why Jesus told them that he who is without sin to cast the first stone.The pharisees were considered moral; they followed the law but neglected the true spirit of the law (love, mercy etc). — Beebert
What if he refuses, and says that it's right for him to keep the money?And having robbed the lady I would Tell him to give her the Money back. — Beebert
Only in cases like a few of those people from the Orthodox forum who cry about not being able to "enjoy" having sex with supermodels in this life, while their friends do exactly that, and they feel terribly envious about it, and think they deserve some great reward in heaven after they cast off moral restraint - probably some nice girls - while their friends sit in hell watching them from a distance >:)In such cases, being moral and following rules such as not having premartial sex seems empty. — Beebert
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