>Rich,
>
>The field seems littered with straw men!
>
>I posted an example- an anecdote.
>
>I have known this man since I can remember. He and my father did a lot of cases together through the 70s-90s.
>
>Career and wealth were his reason d'etre. He will be remembered for a truly remarkable career. For somebody who dedicated himself to that for his entire adult life, what a win.
>
>Then suddenly, in his 70s, he wishes he could be remembered more for morality than for the glittering career.
>
>>>why is there an assumption that this is a "sudden" desire rather than a longstanding reflection on an entire lifetime?
>
>If there is "assuming" going on, it isn't by me. It was sudden.
>
>>>implying that morality, selflessness and decency are somehow not that important to people who don't believe.
>
>No. Please see 4th and 5th paragraphs above. I did not cause him to do any of this. I just watched.
>
>>>Why SHOULDN'T he want to be remembered for those traits? Aren't they worth being remembered for?
>
>I think so. But I was a little boy when he made his career decisions. He did not consult me. Nor did he check with me about his recent change of mind.
>
>>>I read your statement as people of faith want to be moral and non-believers might be moral but it isn't really an important issue for them.
>
>I posted an example, An interesting anecdote that (I thought) showed something useful. A sort of contemporary "remember Phlebas". Unfortunately people seized on that anecdote and began implying all sorts of motives.
>
Sorry, but I don't know the reference to Phlebas.
You are correct in that I have inferred certain motives from your statements.....I prefaced my comments with "I read your statement......"
>>>Your implication that there is a direct connection between faith and morality is one I'm not prepared to accept.
>
>It is hardly a revelation that patrician atheists very commonly dedicate themselves to glittering careers and other material things. I thought it was interesting that such a one might suddenly change his mind as his life draws to its close.
>
It is hardly a revelation that people of faith very commonly dedicate themselves to amassing great wealth and power.
It is also hardly a revelation that large numbers of people of faith and aetheist lead fulfilling, moral lives and want that to be as much a part of their legacy as any other accomplishment.
>Thanks for the debate, but I need to vanish for a few weeks- I need to dedicate myself to pursuit of material things!
Previous
Next
Reply
View the map of this thread
View the map of this thread starting from this message only
View all messages of this thread
View all messages of this thread starting from this message only