Thou hast clothed me, warmed and fed me...
Everyone - apologies for dropping several conversations on this thread. But for the last two days I've been travelling (Abu Dhabi) and monitoring from afar a much more important project (the birth of our second grandchild and first grandson, to our daughter, in UK, late last night - all well
Since we seem to be in 'round-up' mode, here's mine:
I think it is, or would be, a great idea to separate ethics from religion and to teach basic ethics to junior school children.
I think religious and irreligious families should be free to bring up their children as they see fit in their homes.
Nevertheless, I think in is incumbent on religious parents to be conscious of the invisible boundary between introduction and indoctrination, and to be sure they do not act against a child's best interests.
I think everyone who thinks can develop their own ethical code. However, they have a better chance of success if they are given some sound ethical guidelines early on, as a basis for development.
I refute absolutely the notion that ethics are arbitrary if they are not 'sanctioned' by someone's God.
I am convinced that non-psychopathic people the world over, are in fairly close agreement about what constitutes ethical behaviour, and that this common core of ethics, the baseline if you like, is societal, not divine, in its origin.Congratulations Paraglider.
Maybe he was. but then why did he append it to my round-up post? Not that it matters
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today.
Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.
Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead.
Write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates."
Amen
The most often said prayer on the planet.
It has nothing to do with anything ancient, GOD does not have an age.
These are HIS words to HIS people and HIS instructions to follow.
He said to repeat them so as not to forget.
Congratulations, Paraglider!
When I see posts like this, I wish I'd got married earlier so I could have enjoyed grandchildren today, too! Ah well - just have to wait
I skimmed through this just now - and while I do see your point, there's a comfort in prayers or rituals when one is young (never mind that I tried hard to figure out every night why the Lord had to 'keep' my soul, whatever that was, while I slept and 'take' it if I died before I woke up!!) I still find comfort in it.
Parents tend to pass down what they learnt and that's how tradition comes about, I guess. What is essential I suppose is not to thrust it down a child's throat but to guide with love. Then it's easier for children to open their minds to other beliefs when they are older.Thanks Amanda
I think everyone would agree that you and Shalini would always act in the best interests of your children. Enjoy their young times - the grandchildren will come in their own good time!
I find it interesting that Paraglider and Bibowen, are still discussing 'ethics'.
The question comes down to who is right and wrong. To settle this dilemma- I've come to re-post, my post from page 7 of this thread.
How ever, to be fair- Paraglider is correct. Children shouldn't be indoctrinated into a religion, not of their own choosing. If they want to believe in a religion, then the choice should ultimately reside with them.
If those children choose to not follow a religion and guide themselves by their own conscience, then this should be encouraged and not degraded. It's a parent's moral imparative to do what's in the best interest of the child. To do anything less, would be harmful to their individual right of choice.
To force specific ethics on anyone, is intolerable to say the least and morally wrong. It should be taught in school what is considered the human moral standard, as defined below.
Any action that is beneficial to the human organism or society is deemed moral right or good.
Any action that is harmful to the human organism or society is deemed immoral wrong or bad.
Feelings and emotions are amoral. These do not fit in either category of moral or immoral and have no standard or basis for being right or wrong. Emotions are reactionary, due to cause and effect. A cause(event) creates reaction(emotion).
This needs to be taught in every school from 1st grade up to 10th. In the last two years, before either entering the workforce, working for themselves or others, should be 'business' ethics(if it exists
).
This would teach children how to stay morally bound to their own conscience. That's at least my take on it.Mike & Lorlie - thanks
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