How do you feel about morality?

[Arkitech]

I know this is a touchy subject for a lot of people because it covers so many different areas. Obviously people who believe in the bible are more than likely going to have strongs feelings about remaining chaste. Some individuals like to use homosexuals as examples of immorality, but others will point out that any sex outside of marriage is a violation of sexual morality.


So whats your take on it? Should you be married before sex, should people only sleep with the opposite sex, if you're not satisfied by your spouse is it ok to look else where?

Speak and be heard

 

[Isla]

What I have found is that if I point my finger at someone and say, "That is wrong!" I usually end up finding myself in a similar position going, "Hmmm, so this is how this sort of thing happens to people". I have also found that the people who go around pointing fingers at others usually have the most to hide.

In otherwords, the only really strong moral conviction I have is that it's not right to judge people.

"There but for the Grace of God go I"

 

[layne151]

here here Isla, live within your own moral choices, do not make a decision based on what those outside of you think is right. This theory only works if yoor sane!

 

[Amused]

Morality, to me, is what makes a society civil. It's an agreed upon set of rules, based on how most people would like to be treated. For me, morality means the golden rule; treat others as you would wish to be treated.

We don't like to be murdered, therefore murder is immoral.

We don't like to be ripped off, therefore theft is immoral.

We don't like to be cheated on, therefore infidelity is immoral.

And so on...

Of course, that's only my opinion. Others have other opinions (religion, etc...), and I respect that.

 

[Double Trouble]

I disagree with Isla -- I most certainly can look at someone and conclude that what they are doing is wrong. It's not my task to convince him (or anyone else) of that, but I can certainly decide what is wrong and what is right -- that's not judging someone. In the end, there is only one "judge" that will decide what is right and wrong.

For example, if I know that a man cheats on his wife, I know that it's wrong. There's no two ways about it, it's wrong. Does that mean I'm gonna tell him so, or prevent him from doing it? Of course not, that's up to him, but I know it's wrong.

I have a moral compas that tells me what is wrong and what is right, mostly derived from my religious beliefs. Nobody else has to agree with it, nor do they have to abide by it. It might be politically incorrect in this day and age but there IS definitely a right and a wrong.

 

[Isla]

Very true AmusedOne, very true!

And Tagej, I never said that there was no right or no wrong. PLEASE do not put words into my post that I did not write! (edit: I have a big long list of personal moral convictions but I'm the only one I need to worry about.)

I simply said I feel that it is not my place to judge others, and that is my strongest conviction above all.

 

[Noriaki]

"My moral standings are lying down".

How do I feel about Morality? I think everyone should be Moral. But who defines what is and isn't moral?

 

[vi edit]

There are morals that I beleive in, and there are morals that other's believe in.

The hard part is satisfying both, without breaking either.

 

[luv2chill]

Hey, congrats on Elite Noriaki!

l2c

 

[Noriaki]

Oh if you are talking Sexual morality, marriage doesn't mean a whole lot to me in that sense because I'm not religious. I don't have sexual desires for women I don't love though. And I love her enough that I'd be willing to spend my life with her, I don't see why I can't have sex with her whether or not I've stood beside her in a chapel.

The thought of waiting until I'm married is a little off for me, as far as I'm concerned Marriage is just a way of showing your love for your partner (and don't get me wrong I'm not against marriage, I hope to have a huge fancy fun wedding with a girl I love, and tell the whole world how much I love her, but that's all it is to me).

I don't see why Sex (which is in my view another way of showing your love for your partner IMO) should have to come after it. Love isn't a base ball game (despite the common analogies), you don't have to do things in order.
If I'm with a girl and there is mutual love, and we both want a little pleasure I'd go for it, married or not. But I wouldn't just pick up random girls at a party, and do the horizontal tango.

So am I moral or not?


Ed: Whoa...I'm Elite...spiffy...when did that happen?

 

[Total Refected Power]

I feel that you must have a strong sense of right and wrong and shun moral relativism as much as possible. It is OK to feel that something is right and wrong based on your beliefs and for the cohesion of society. Laws exist largely to insure and enforce gross morality. However, in the finer sense I don't have any desire to stick my nose into others affairs because frankly, I don't care and people will always do as they please. If they choose to direspect themselves and their families it is their choice and they will live with the consequences. For instance, many believe pre-marial sex is immoral. Well for teens it probably is. Why? Because they are not typically emotionally ready for the consequences of sex in addtion to the practical matters of getting a STD or pregnant. There is right and wrong and hopefully a moral common sense is what guides people in life. Ignore the crusaders but listen to yourself and follow the golden rule. Pretty simple.

 

[Optimus]

Personally? I follow the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. We didn't have sex until we were married. I wouldn't cheat on her of course, but nor do I consider it moral for myself to look at porn, etc... We also practice Natural Family Planning (oooo the flak I'm gonna take for that) and it has worked for us so far. Is it easy? No. Am I perfect at it? Heck no. But it is the moral code I live my life trying to follow. Thats up to me, and between me and God.

On a broad scale? I try not to judge, I don't preach at others, although if honestly asked I would share my personal views politely - I wouldn't lie. Nor though would I shove my morals down other's throats. I don't judge/accuse those not married and living together, or homosexual people, or anything of the sort. I watch movies, listen to alternative rock (even if I disagree with the band's views), watch too much TV...

BUT, once someone's actions cross into the realm of hurting others, you bet I make my voice heard (abortion, euthanasia, killing the disabled, molestation, rape, abuse of others, violence, etc, etc, etc...). These are tougher moral stances as many of my views are not popular (no killing for any reason other than self defense or defense of the innocent, etc.)

Do I protest outside Adult video stores, want gays out of the scouts, or tell friends they are "living in sin"? Hell no. If it isn't hurting someone else, then it is between them and God.

I do try to give a good example, though.

 

[MrHelpful]

Congrats Noriaki!

 

[Moonbeam]

When the self dies truth appears, and from that flows perfect action or true morality. Subjective and objective are subsumed in a higher understanding. It's all about Love.

 

[GasX]

Morality is a good thing when taken in moderation.

 

[ATLien247]

I agree with tagej. I try not to judge others--it's not my place to do so. I'm not going to tell someone they're a bad person because I think what they're doing is wrong, nor am I going to tell someone they're a good person because I think what they're doing is right.

 

[qacwac]

Isla, Where'd you get the "There but for the grace of God go I" quote? I use it but I picked it up from my pastor. Who's it originally from.


Morality can't be relative. If so then what the Germans did to the Jews was okay, their society said it was. What we(Americans) did to blacks with slavery was fine, our society said so. No, there must be a standard.

For me that's the word of God, the Bible. It is my morality. So not I, but the Bible stands as judge over homosexuals, rapists, adulterers, etc. They are wrong. Now in saying that I also say that the Bible stands in judgement over myself and my pride and lustful thoughts. I am wrong.

This a morality that is not my natural disposition. I personally would really enjoy going out and with a different girl every night. Or getting married and having a fling or two on the side whenever my wife isn't in the mood. But it's wrong so I have to refrain.(not that I have actually ever done the above) It doesn't matter if it feels good to me. That's one of the worst ways to evaluate something. I often feel best when I am most wrong.

Of course if you aren't a Christian then I doubt you are going to agree with me.

 

[LordMaul]

<< &quot;My moral standings are lying down&quot;.

How do I feel about Morality? I think everyone should be Moral. But who defines what is and isn't moral? >>



You are Elite....bastard.

 

[Tripleshot]

It's great for &quot;moral&quot; people,bad for &quot;immoral&quot; people I suspect.

And I do not believe in forcing moral standards on anyone,save those &quot;rules&quot; that bind civilized society.

Life is a learning experience. The &quot;moral&quot; standards when I was younger are far different than those of today. That is growth,progress. I need to recognize that and learn to accept it,as long as it adheres to the afor mentioned &quot;rules&quot; that bind civilized society.

 

[Isla]

qacwac I got the quote from my pastor and years of going to church and Bible study, but for the life of me I can't remember what it is from. I guess it's old age creeping up on me.

I guess I am going to have to say this again: I never said that there was no right and no wrong. I am not a moral relativist. What did impress me most about the Bible was that we are not to judge others... that in itself is a sin. When you judge others, you are actually making it harder for them to come out of sin. That's what I got out of Bible study. I'm not going to get out my copy of Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible or any of the other theological references in my library because other people have the freedom to decide for themselves what their moral convictions should be.

I have mostly conformed to what most of you would call a strict moral/religious lifestyle and it has helped create 'good fruit' in my life. It's annoying that some of you might think my conviction about the Sin of Judgement somehow makes me less moral. I just think that not only should I behave myself a certain way (it's my responsibility), but I should also save the Judgement for God.

Capeche?

 

[Kosugi]

Well,

I think people get ethics and morals confused. We equate the two, but they are quite different.

For instance, ethics are things that change over time and with society. Morals are more or less constant. Ethics are decided by people, whereas morals apply to higher laws, or something you might have heard as &quot;Natural Law&quot;.

Ill give an example.

Ethically, capital punishment is accepted. Why? Because the majority of people decided it to be so, however, it is still immoral. Morality says &quot;thou shall not kill&quot;, pretty absolute, no such arugments for &quot;unless this that or the other&quot;.

Business ethics have changed over the years. These are agreed upon rules about conduct in the business place. Some of them are immoral, especially with evaluating candidates for RIFs or down-sizing. They just aren't fair, but they are ethical.

So I think your question should have been geared towards assessing ethical standards in today's society. There is nothing immoral about homosexuality. It is a matter between consenting adults, however, society set the rules and made it unethical until recently.

That hypocritical group refering to themselves as the &quot;Moral Majority&quot;, are in fact the &quot;Ethical Majority&quot;. They focus on public opinion, rather than deeper issues.

Just a rant on ethics and morals. Though it is often difficult, aspire for the latter rather than the former.

Im tired. Im out of here for the day.
Bye.

 

[LadyJessica]

Morality is empathic selfishness.

 

[toph99]

congrats Noriaki


anyways, the only 'moral'i would say i have is that i will not cheat on my girlfriend. i know how it feels, and i would never do that to anyone.