Reciprocity is the single key that unlocks ethical behavior.

[MineralMan]

Hillel, when asked by a prospective convert to Judaism to teach him the whole Torah while he stood on one leg, replied: “That which is hateful unto you do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole of the Torah, The rest is commentary. Go forth and study.”

It is all that is needed for the reasonable person to behave well. It is truly common sense. Perhaps that one principle, if taught from birth, could replace all need for religion. So I believe, anyhow.

[guillaumeb]

1. It is the key,

but as to replacing the need for religion, I think not.

[MineralMan]

2. If you think not, try thinking for a change.

That's my suggestion for today.

[guillaumeb]

10. What you really mean is:

think just like me, and hold exactly the same beliefs.

[MineralMan]

11. Do not presume to tell me what I mean, Guy.

That is exceedingly rude. I mean precisely what I write. Read it again,please.

[guillaumeb]

12. We can all see what you write,

Last edited Sat Nov 24, 2018, 08:24 PM - Edit history (1)

and your various comments to those who disagree with your analyses.

And speaking of rudeness is interesting, in light of your many comments. Your record is clear.

Edited the title.

[MineralMan]

13. You can see what I read?

How do you do that, pray tell?

[guillaumeb]

14. Updated, and thank you.

[Major Nikon]

7. True, some people require an imaginary fanbase for validation

So there's that I suppose. Still seems a bit of a stretch to quantify it as a need. Seems more like a pacifier for childlike insecurity.

[msongs]

3. cant have an all powerful priest class and bigoted masses with that kind of thinking nt

[MineralMan]

4. The very idea, I think.

Sounds like a plan. Oddly enough, Hillel the Elder was a contemporary of historical Jesus. Fascinating, actually.

[thbobby]

5. Such an idea could never replace religion

How can evangelicals preach hatred on such a noble idea? Religion must foster hatred to be of value to many so-called evangelicals or even Christians.

[MineralMan]

6. Well, it hasn't been tested.

I'd welcome such a test. However, the current situation makes that impossible, I think. A pity.

[Major Nikon]

8. Also how else are you going to guilt people into control?

Shame and humiliation is big business.

[MineralMan]

9. Only offerings of money can remove the shame and humiliation.

Or, in some cases, having sex with the priest. That can work, but only in some cases.

[guillaumeb]

15. This:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218298410

Clearly reciprocity.

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. There's a saying.

If you run into a single asshole, the problem is probably them. If everyone you run into is an asshole, the problem is probably you.

Mull it over.

[Major Nikon]

18. You've been married 5 times, maybe it's you

Self-reflection is a problem with everyone, but some suck at it harder.

[Act_of_Reparation]

16. That's no substitute for religion.

Because people don't flock to religion for the ethical behavior it allegedly provides.

[guillaumeb]

19. Speaking of reciprocity, there is this example:

Lordquinton (7,132 posts)
141. I backed up my claims

and appropriately attributed my quotes. You did not, and you attempted to deceive in your OP.

So I'll go with intellectual dishonesty to answer my question in the other thread.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1218&pid=298357

Just one example of many here.

[MineralMan]

21. What, pray tell, does that have to do with me, Guy?

Speaking of irrelevancy...I am MineralMan, not anyone else. Non sequitur.

[Mariana]

23. But you're an atheist, MineralMan.

This isn't the first time he has done this. Gil seems to think we're all exactly the same, interchangeable, and we have a hive mind, like the Borg. We aren't individual discrete human beings at all, you see. If some other atheist wrote a thing that Gil doesn't like, he considers you to be responsible for it, and as you see, he expect you to answer for it. It's very strange.

[MineralMan]

24. You're right, of course.

From time to time, I try to remind him that we are not all the same people, nor do we hold the same ideas. Atheism is really the only thing we have in common, and it's a minor aspect of our individual philosophies and mindsets.

Repetition of that simple fact may not be enough, but it's really all we can do as individuals. Still, I'm not sure I understand the reasoning process that individual uses. They wouldn't work for me, though. It's easy enough to see the differences between people who post in this Group.

[guillaumeb]

26. Straw man fallacy in evidence.

Try again.

[guillaumeb]

25. No, an affirmation of your observation.

And as I said in an earlier post, insults are not dialogue.

[guillaumeb]

20. And, from the same thread, same poster:

Lordquinton (7,132 posts)
154. Speaking of lieing, I never said you did

Now for the quote you cherry picked:

[MineralMan]

22. Again, why are you using someone else's words to question me?

I did not write those words. Please take it up with their author. I cannot help you.

[guillaumeb]

27. I am agreeing with you that reciprocity is needed.

And re-affirming that insults are intended to attack dialogue.

[Snackshack]

28. If only it were that

Simple...but even then there would be those who felt their way of “do unto others...” was better than anothers way of “do unto others...” thus a need to impose upon them.

This is a generational thing and maybe a future generation will get there depending on what’s left. On the whole we are doing better...it was not that long ago that Trial by Ordeal was the method of reciprocated justice.