Some people are TOO open minded. All ideas are NOT ok. Child molestation, rape, murder, theft, etc, etc, may be fun for some people, should we be open minded and accept that? Of course not. Sadly, some do.
Don,
I would like to have an open minded discussion with you.
I make some statements and then ask a question or two. Then you reply and also make some statements and even ask a question or two of your own.
First: I am Circumcised. I understand why it is done for health reason and I respect that it is done for cultural and and religious reasons.
Second: I will argue that it is wrong to circumcise to show that all subjects should be discussed.
Does the child that is a baby have a choice in the mutilation of their genitalia? No their parents decide for them. Is this right? If you decided for your children does this make you a Child molester? I could see where such an argument could be made.
Yet it is accepted and it is practiced in many cultures and countries. But if people believe it is wrong and condemn me for thinking it is right, is that right? Or should they be willing to listen to what I have to say. In the end, one could argue that as long as they do their thing and I do mine then it is all fine.
As to your quote here:
I thought about that line. Some animals may well be more equal than others, but, some ideas, Female Genital Mutilation, forced marriages, honor killings, these are not equal to others.
The (Widespread and growing) belief that there are "Gray areas" is really horrible for the world. Morals matter. Claiming that horrific things are moral because a segment of society likes it that way is ludicrous, child molesters, rapists and serial killers, while not a religion or ethnicity think their behavior is hunky dory, but that certainly doesn't make it so.
Where do your morals come from? Is it religion? Is it belief in something greater?
Personally I think all religion is wrong, for they project what you are projecting here. That if someone does not believe as then then they are wrong and will be punished in this life or in some afterlife.
So can you prove to me that your morals have value. Can you prove to me that your morals have meaning to me? Being open minded is allowing you to express and try to convince me and or change my mind. Being closed minded even in the projection of being opening minded happens all the time. So while I agree that there are people that make me just want to reach out and thump them (* You are not one of them *) I still try to give then a chance to express their point. Of course one the point has been made and if one chooses to disagree and move on then so be it.
Can you explain to me why your morals are something that I should live for myself? Why are your morals better than mine?
Morals
Values
Ethics
Law
Morals are what are taught usually via religion but sometimes via culture.
Values are what people hold valuable as a group or individually.
Ethics is what is ethical via society or personally.
Law is what the people/ruler/law giver have/has decided to implement for society. These are usually what people have decided is best for society as a whole not always an individual.
In the past in some Native America Cultures that were nomadic, it was the RESPONSIBILITY of the oldest male child not of age or gone through rite of passage to sneak into the dwelling of the family that had a deformed baby. It was their responsibility and requirement as a child to remove this liability to their society and what would weaken their group. While in today's society, this is not required, nor practiced, as technology and standard of living has changed. But I will not stand forth and be the one to tell that culture that in their past they were wrong. I will talk with about what is done today and possible try to persuade them to think that education to the contrary of this practice is good. But, if they choose not to believe as I do, I will move on, and not deal with them. I do not condemn them nor do tell them they are wrong.
Of course you will continue to state that things like terrorism is just wrong. I will ask what about the Boston Tea Party which was about costing the British money and problems. They ended up winning and so it is not terrorism.
I do believe that we should be able to defend ourselves. I believe that killing to defend ourselves is required as an option. Be it individually or as a society. Be it capital punishment or removing a threat to our society. But if the others choose to leave us alone I believe we should leave them alone, but if they choose to pick a fight then I think we should end the fight as soon as possible and as quickly as possible.
I agree that some points have more meaning than others, as we all put different value on different ideas.
