Posted by Anna on July 17, 1999 at 00:15:08:
In Reply to: Re: Are there no supporters out there? posted by Darius Uible on June 22, 1999 at 22:19:52:
First I would like to apologize for my slow response. That being said, what exactly motivates you to live? This may sound harsh, but think about it. If souls don't exist, there is no objective right or wrong, and there is no "long run" then no choice I make is any more important than if I want toast or cereal for breakfast. Also, some food for thought. Why would you enter a debate over the morality of any action if you do not believe there is a right answer. If morality is only what I make it, then why question anything. I would always be right anyway. (This becomes especially interesting when you consider that people change their views. Are they always right even if they do a complete 180 on their view?) Personally, I think the reason people become relativists (people who don't believe in an objective right or wrong) is so that they can do what they want to without worrying about the morality of their actions.
Another thing, life is not simply a struggle to survive and multiply. That is WAY too simple. Humans have emotions and aspirations. I can feel compassion for a man begging on the street. I have a conscience (Another reason I believe in the existence of souls). I have seen my parents tease each other, laugh together, and occassionally cry together. They love each other as much as anyone I've ever seen. Even if you don't believe true love exists (Which if hate exists its opposite should) we aspire to it. We work towards it. Why bother if life is only survival and reproduction. You're describing the life of wild animals or insects. Our lives are much more complex and significant than theirs.
Also, you spoke of "true and ultimate free will." What exactly would you like the freedom to choose between? If there is no real right or wrong than no answer is really any better than any other. This means you have the freedom to choose between any number of answers which are all essentially insignificant. You might say that you want the freedom to choose what is right and what is wrong. This presupposes, however, that a real value of right and wrong exists. Imagine that two people with the same circumstances and the same intentions commit the same act. If they have differing opinions on the morality of the act does the morality of the act change? I don't think so. I see free will as the freedom to chose whether or not to act morally. Without real values of right and wrong there's nothing worth choosing between anyway.
Whoa, I feel like I've written a lot this time. I want you to know that I won't try to lure you in to any particular religion, or mess with your brain, or whatever else people who talk about these things seriously are accused of. I've just never had a good disscussion about this stuff with an atheist before and I really want to here your reponse. These are fundemental beliefs of mine. I really couldn't imagine living happily believing the things you do. Please write back to me about this. I really want to hear your response.
Oh, and about the killing of embryos, I have documentation but I'll have to find it. I'll get back to you on that.