(Ron) intuitive morality v. Bible based morality

Brian Dean bridean@worldnet.att.net
Wed, 3 Jun 1998 18:44:14 -0400 (00896931854, 19980603222705.BCOU12044@briandea) 

HELEN:
I have never argued that morality is based on deductive reasoning. I 
argue for a moral hard wiring in human. I think there is an irrational moral 
sense, almost emotive in nature. If I were an atheist, I would argue some 
kind of biological hard wiring to help us survive as a species, but since I'm 
not, I have a tendency to argue this is the indwelling voice of God in western 
theology and the Buddha nature, Tao, or Atman of eastern. Listening to 
one's personal voice of God, talking with others who have seem to have a 
sense of morality you've respected in the past, thought and meditation 
would seem to me to be the best method of making moral choices in life.

Cotton Mather, famous for his involvement in the Salem Witchcraft Trials, 
was raised to have and personally strove to develop a totally Bible based 
morality and couldn't figure out that killing people who had a long history 
of living moral upstanding lives within their community based on the wild and 
contradictory accusations of teenagers with no supporting evidence was 
morally questionable. 
 
Helen, who admits to rejecting Bible based morality in favor of working to 
develop a moral code based on an intuitive moral instinct can figure out that 
public bragging about humiliating one's wife by  repeated acts of adultery 
and constant ugly verbal abuse of women is immoral. 

Till, based on whatever method he uses has figured out, that this list should 
not be used to publicly humiliate his wife and mother of his children.

I see no evidence here to support you claim that Bible based morality is 
superior. Yes, I base that judgement on an intuitive sense of morality. Do 
you disagree with the assessments that based on what we seen and know 
from the list? Specifically:
Till is more moral than Dick.
Helen is more moral than Cotton Mather.
Till is more moral than Cotton Mather.
If you agree with these assessments, how do you derive these assessment 
based on the Bible or will you admit you too use intuitive morality?


RON
  I too believe in an "intuitive" sense of morality. This is inspired by 
the Holy Spirit and is known as the conscience. I do, however, believe 
that in some people this sense becomes deadened or numb due to repeated 
sinful behavior.  

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