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Originally written by Dyskaryote:

Utilitarianism is the only possible filter through which one could even attempt to judge morality, but it's not one I'd choose: as Thuryl has pointed out, it leads to uncomfortable conclusions.

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Originally written by Drew:

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Originally written by Drew:

My response to that is: then almost no one is [living by Biblical values] as you define them, and no one ever has.

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Italicized for emphasis.

EDIT: In fact, I could make the argument that societal decay comes not from any decline in religion at all so much as the fact that people these days are generally better off financially, and that any "moral behavior" on their part before had more to do with a lack of resources than a loss of the church. Consider that AIDS transmission is down in Zimbabwe because men no longer have the resources to keep mistresses. Similarly, people living hand-to-mouth don't have the leisure time or money to "sin." I don't think you can argue that the quality of life, as a whole, isn't vastly better than it ever has been, unless you're just being obtuse for the sake of being obtuse.

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Originally written by Jumpin' Sarcasmon:

See, ADoS knows I originally hail from Massachusetts, and we all know that there is no Bigfoot living there. I mean, duh!!!

Edit - And who stores their garbage four feet from the bedroom window? That right there would cause credibility to leak away from the story.

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Originally written by Stillness:

I find it ironic that one of the mascots for the aggressive athiestic movement appears right after JS's last post.

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Originally written by Jumpin' Sarcasmon:

It is kinda silly. It would be silly beyond epic proportions if atheists began wearing that symbol on chains around their necks, or plastered on the back of their cars. But come on, no one would ever dream to do that, right?

ps. This previous statement just begs for someone to find a reference or illustrative picture.

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Originally written by Micawber:

I thought they were meatballs.

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Originally written by Stillness:

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Originally written by Frolicking in Postaroni General:

a man or a woman cannot and must not be judged in any way simply based on sex.

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I agree.

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Originally written by Stillness:

So let’s say we get a woman that meets all of the qualifications for an elder except for her sex. The moment we decide to make her an elder we cease functioning as Christians and have started to form a man-made religion. God’s spirit no longer works with us and our religion becomes vain. On the other hand this same woman can be a very effective preacher and teacher and a strong member of the congregation without overstepping boundaries. Her talents and energies are not wasted. God is happy. The congregation is happy.

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