Western societal norms

[Pufflette]

Western societal norms can be summed up in one sentence: anything goes as long as it's not Biblical.

Discuss.

[rojash]

What's to discuss? A moment's thought would bring up thousands of examples of things that don't "go", biblical or not.

[naomi24]

You seem to have a thing about 'Biblical' Puflette. I have no idea what you're talking about.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Complete and utter cack. Do you seriously believe that people reject perfectly servicable codes of ethics and morality merely because they're in the Bible..?

"'Ang on, boys - it sez murder ain't on in ver Bible, dunnit? So that means it's obligatory."

You don't need the Bible to work out that murder is bad, but that doesn't imply that because something is in the Bible it must be bad.

Moreover, given the domination of the church for the past two millenniums, one would hardly be surprised to find they have significantly informed current societal norms.

For example, people who claim homosexuality isn't normal are very influenced by centuries of Biblical teaching on the matter. It was only this year that the true extent of homosexuality in nature was understood, and therefore there was an evidential basis for rejecting such a claim, but while that may see a more enlightened view prevail, it will not instanteously undo years of influence, nor will it change the fact that quite a lot of the Bible's teachings are perfectly defensible even if one has rejected the supernatural.

[jake-the-peg]

Western (or at least European) societal norms can be summed up as finally shaking off the chains of superstitious claptrap.

I think you'll find a rather different state of affairs on the Western side of the Atlantic.

You'd like it there - they have museums showing biblical people running around with dinosaurs

[naomi24]

Now I do, thanks to Jake on your other thread. What exactly is your problem then?

[LazyGun]

Where do all these hordes of westerners that you claim anything goes hang out? Sounds kinda kinky , and I think I must be missing out. :)

Our society should be secular. Religion is a blinkered world view, with no place in the 21st century.

[naomi24]

The reminds me of a friend of mine, LazyGun. He always said he wanted to join the Permissive Society, but could never find the address.

[JockSporran]

Not so. Political correctness forces new norms and standards of conformity all the time. The PC brigade in public sector management don't think 'anything goes' and will penalise people for 'offending' others even if no one has complained (e.g. removal of a national flag or pin-up calendar).

[naomi24]

^^ That's true.

[brionon]

Pufflette
Just Ask a question. You ain't my Headmistress . OK ?

[beso]

The prevailing philosophy is Biblical.
The techniques used by Joshua are still regularly used in the world today.

1. Villify the target and occupy the moral highground.
2. Portray them as a threat to you and all that is right.
3. Build hysteria.
4. Massacre them and take their stuff in the name of God.
5. Worship the wealth as a manifestation of God.

1. Saddam is Bucher of Baghdad.
2. WMDs
3. We must protect the world.
4. Invade Iraq.
5. Worship oil.

However problems arise due to belief in miracles. The idea that God and rightousness will prevail leads to ill conceived strategies that ordinary analysts know will fail. Yet the faith is blindly followed as it was in Dubbya's "short war" in Iraq.

An we treat the planet like God will fix it all when Jesus comes back.