BARRY LEVINSON
I Report, You Decide. By Barry Levinson
Dennis Prager, a nationally syndicated radio host likes to recount this
story when he speaks before a live audience.
If you were walking alone, late at night on a dark and deserted street
and you saw a large group of teenagers in gang style clothing, would
you feel more safe or less safe if you knew they just came from a
Christian bible study class?
Even the most ardent atheist if they were being truthful, would have
to say that they would feel more safe knowing that this large group of
teenagers just came from a Christian bible study session.
What does that tell you about the goodness of the Judeo-Christian
faiths? It tells you that even an atheist knows that being a religious
Christian is a net positive to how people will behave in society.
I like to recount this story because it proves a point that having
Western religious moral values is a good thing for the individual and
for society as well.
Does that mean that atheists are by in large bad people? This is
obviously not true. But the point is that just knowing someone is an
atheist really tells you nothing either positive or negative about the
character and values of that person.
And in fact that is what I perceive as a real shortcoming in atheism, is
that it provides no moral backbone for the individual to draw on. In the
atheist’s world each individual can and does come up with their own
set of “moral” principles.
For me, I will draw on the 10 Commandments as the cornerstone of
my moral principles.
#1 by Nancy on August 4, 2014 - 10:14 pm
If I saw a bunch of teenagers that were dressed in gang affiliated clothing and then told that they just came from a Yoga class, I would be less fearful than if they had not just come from a yoga class. If they just came from a Japanese tea ceremony, I would be less fearful; if they came from a college class on humanitarian organizations, I would be less fearful. This doesn’t mean that there is anything more moral about these activities, it means the people engaged in them was probably not focused on violence at that particular moment. If they were KKK members holding Bibles I would be MORE fearful, not less. if they were standing in front of an abortion clinic with guns, I would be more fearful if they held Bibles. As for Jon Adams, he was a mortal person subject to flaws in judgement. Not a god. You may agree with him and you may not but because he said something doesn’t make it an absolute truth. To me, what he said indicates that the laws of our land should only apply to those that share his religious beliefs and that is awful.
#2 by Shane on August 4, 2014 - 11:02 pm
Joe they always tell you never to talk about religion and politics. I am glad you have always put them at the forefront of your conversations. Never a dull moment when our land is run by a bunch of psychopathic thugs who bomb and drone strike whoever they damn well please while like you say, the average smucks drool over their cheeseburgers and their chicko sticks while watching their sicko flicks.
Everything that you warned me about ten years ago that I couldn’t believe is all happening just like you said it would. I think it might be too late for far too many Joe. They are just too far gone.