Atheist morals

Originally posted by @fmf
The fact that I have a moral stance on governments killing their citizens as a punishment for crimes is an indication that I have a functioning moral compass.

So as long as someone has a stance, regardless of what that stance may be, it is a sign that they have a functioning moral compass. So that means Hitler and the Nazis also had a functioning moral compass, correct?

Originally posted by @fmf
I believe capital punishment is wrong. And I understand the arguments in favour of the death penalty. I cannot think of a scenario in which it would be justifiable, but maybe there is one. We shall see, In the meantime, I am content to simply state that I oppose it on moral grounds. Meanwhile, your religious beliefs have rendered you unable to take a moral stance on the issue.

Do you think that someone who is in favor of the death penalty is morally and intellectually paralyzed ?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
So as long as someone has a stance, regardless of what that stance may be, it is a sign that they have a functioning moral compass. So that means Hitler and the Nazis also had a functioning moral compass, correct?

We have discussed the morality of Hitler and the Nazis before in detail. I do not need to repeat myself. Refer to our previous discussions.

Originally posted by @fmf
We have discussed the morality of Hitler and the Nazis before in detail. I do not need to repeat myself. Refer to our previous discussions.

In your opinion would someone have a functioning moral compass if they had a moral stance, regardless of what that stance may be?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Do you think that someone who is in favor of the death penalty is morally and intellectually paralyzed ?

No. I don't. You, on the other hand, are unable to take a moral stance on the issue because you don't yet know what ancient Hebrew mythology tells you to think and believe about it.

Originally posted by @dj2becker
In your opinion would someone have a functioning moral compass if they had a moral stance, regardless of what that stance may be?

Well, I have already told you what I believe is the source, nature and purpose of moral standards and I have also told you exactly what I believe are the implications when one encounters differences in moral standards. I seem to remember Hitler and the Nazis were one of the examples used. My analysis and stance have not changed. I refer you to those discussions.

Originally posted by @fmf
No. I don't. You, on the other hand, are unable to take a moral stance on the issue because you don't yet know what ancient Hebrew mythology tells you to think and believe about it.

I have never had to take a stance on the matter. Do you have a stance on every single moral issue?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Do you have a stance on every single moral issue?

Give me some scenarios. I will give you my moral analysis.

Originally posted by @fmf
Give me some scenarios. I will give you my moral analysis.

Abortion. Good or evil?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
I have never had to take a stance on the matter [of capital punishment].

You seemed to think referring to Leviticus 20:9 was "based upon [my] twisted version of scripture as well as [my] lack of understanding". Was that not a stance?

Is your having "no preference on the matter" a more coherent moral stance than mine?

We both agreed that rape is wrong, but I remember you asserting that you condemning rape was morally coherent while me condemning rape was morally incoherent.

Are you morally coherent on the issue of capital punishment?

Originally posted by @fmf
You seemed to think referring to Leviticus 20:9 was "based upon [my] twisted version of scripture as well as [my] lack of understanding". Was that not a stance?

Is your having "no preference on the matter" a more coherent moral stance than mine?

We both agreed that rape is wrong, but I remember you asserting that you condemning rape was morally coherent w ...[text shortened]... ing rape was morally incoherent.

Are you morally coherent on the issue of capital punishment?

My stance was that you are taking the verse out of context.

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Abortion. Good or evil?

I could not be - and never have been - involved in sanctioning or carrying out an abortion; I have succeeded in talking people out of it; and I have failed to talk people out of it. I have been proactive in trying to prevent abortions. I have given my emotional support to women who have decided to go ahead with abortions despite not agreeing with them exercising their right to have them. [No questions about the details of these things, if you don't mind.]

I don't think my stance on abortion should be imposed on society as a whole, however. I believe it is a personal issue. As a political issue, I think it is understandable that there is the civil right to have an abortion up until the point that the foetus is viable outside the womb. I wouldn't want to see such abortions criminalized

This is clearly a moral compromise on my part. I acknowledge that.

But, in my own private life, the same as you I imagine, I don't think having an abortion is the right and good thing to do, and it is to be avoided if possible, although I don't think - given the criteria I have mentioned - that it's "evil" in and of itself.

Originally posted by @dj2becker
My stance was that you are taking the verse out of context.

Here's the main part of the post you were replying to, but didn't reply to, again:

Is your having "no preference on the matter" a more coherent moral stance than mine?

We both agreed that rape is wrong, but I remember you asserting that you condemning rape was morally coherent while me condemning rape was morally incoherent.

Are you morally coherent on the issue of capital punishment?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Abortion. Good or evil?

What do you think about the colour grey?
Is it black or white?

Originally posted by @fmf
No. I don't. You, on the other hand, are unable to take a moral stance on the issue because you don't yet know what ancient Hebrew mythology tells you to think and believe about it.

A by-product I suspect of once belonging to a cult.

If an individual surrendered their morality to any other book on the planet, we would consider them deranged. (Mr X, what is your moral view on child sacrifice? - Wait, let me just check 'Lord of the Flies.' )