>>>b) Morality does not have to go through religion. IOW, you can be moral without religion.
>>>>
>>>>Tell me how that works. You might need to define "religion" in the process.
>>>
>>>Religion is belief in a supernatural entity or entities to do and shape the world as they wish. The Christian religion is based on revelations from an entity called 'God'. Unproven and unprovable.
>>>
>>>You can be moral by following generally accepted principles that guide your life. Most of the 10 Commandments are not religious by themselves but a moral code that makes sense, religion or not. Take for example 'Thou shall not kill'. You can follow that as a moral precept and not have or observe any religion at all whatsoever. It is just basic scommon decency towards other human beings, other creatures and the environment we live in.
>>>
>>
>>Sure you can take "Thou shalt not kill" and say that's applicable without religion. But what do you do when someone asks "Who says I can't kill?" Or, what about stealing? What do you do when someone thinks it's okay to steal b/c they lost their job and they really need the food? My point is you've got to have some sort of base, non-negotiable truth that you go to. I'd like the Bible to be that base truth for our country.
>
>
>Base, non-negotiable truth that you go to? How about the law? You know, we have something in this country (and most countries do), called the Penal Code. We also have a Constitution. Did you miss Civics class at school?
>

No - didn't miss Civics class... What was the law based on? Why are the 10 commandments posted so prominently around the nation's Capitol? Why do we STILL pray before congressional sessions?

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>>It's proven not be useful as a deterrant because it hasn't been applied consistently and hasn't been public enough. These things happen almost in secret - what good does that do as a deterrent - very little.
>>
>>Again, "Thou shalt not kill" is talking about murder - not capitol punishment.
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>In secret? What do you prefer, public hangings in the main town square?
>

If we're trying to use capitol punishment as a deterrent, don't you think doing in public would be more effective? If detterence is not the goal, then it should not be done in public. My preference would be that we use it as a deterrent and make it public - put it on TV!

>

>>>>As far as slavery goes, I think the Bible's view of slavery and what we think of when we think of slavery are two very different things.
>>>
>>>Can you please elaborate? Slavery is the state of one bound in servitude as the property of a slaveholder or household.
>>>http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=slavery
>>>
>>>How does the Bible differ from that? Are you saying that you condone slavery? That will also get you in hot water as it happens to be illegal in this country nowadays. Unfortunately we do have a very embarrasing past in this regard, showing again that morality does not have much to do with religion at all.
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>>Let me spend a little more time on this. As I stated in another thread, I'm not a Biblical scholar and will need a little time to study this more. I will respond to you though - just be patient.
>
>Take all the time you want. The law will not change much in the meantime.

As long as nothing comes up before the Supreme Court anytime soon...