Featured Good Part — Jesus still loves his disciples even though he predicts Peter will deny him three times.

[Scooter]

As a non-believer, I more think in terms of preventing various hells here on Earth. I’m sorry, but I do. For example —

Thinking about those horrible situations does not resolve them. So what do you do to prevent sexual abuse? What have you done about the war in Gaza and Ukraine?

 

[AgnosticBoy]

I’m remembering that “Agape” is pronounced with 3 syllables and the last syllable is “-pay.” Is this correct?

yes, believe so.

The more that I think about it, the more I see the benefits of agape love at least when it comes to Jesus's teachings. Doesn't Jesus also say to love your enemies or stand ready to forgive? I certainly don't feel that amongst your political leaders, and sadly that tone rubs off on those who look up to these leaders.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Thinking about those horrible situations does not resolve them. So what do you do to prevent sexual abuse?

With trying to prevent a bad thing from happening, thinking and talking and posting is an okay start.

With trying to bring about various positives . . . Yes, I probably should be more involved in volunteer work and donations.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Doesn't Jesus also say to love your enemies or stand ready to forgive?

This is a very high standard which we are sometime capable of.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

This is a very high standard which we are sometime capable of.

I don't know that we could ever reach it. In that sense, I think that might be the point of some religions. It gives us something to aspire to, to look up to. For good or bad, I don't get that same perspective when I'm thinking about non-religious morals. I guess just knowing that they come from fellow man and that it tends to involve just settling for our nature (as opposed to religion which tends to advocate going beyond our natural passions) gives that impression. Could be wrong, but here's the other side...

Google Ai search results: "in secular moral systems, do they just settle for how we are"

No, secular moral systems do not simply accept the status quo or "settle for how we are." They actively strive to improve human well-being and ethical conduct through reason, evidence, and shared human values. Secular moral frameworks, such as secular humanism, emphasize the capacity of humans to create ethical systems based on reason and experience, rather than relying on divine commands or supernatural beliefs.

They don't assume humans are inherently evil or that morality is dictated by a higher power. Instead, they see humans as capable of both good and bad actions, and they seek to cultivate ethical behavior through education, social structures, and personal reflection.

Secular ethics relies on reason, critical thinking, and evidence-based approaches to determine what is right or wrong.

Secular moral systems are not static; they are open to revision and improvement as our understanding of the world and human nature evolves.

 

[Scooter]

Thinking about those horrible situations does not resolve them. So what do you do to prevent sexual abuse?

With trying to prevent a bad thing from happening, thinking and talking and posting is an okay start.

With trying to bring about various positives . . . Yes, I probably should be more involved in volunteer work and donations.

So you basically do nothing to keep anyone out of Hell. The agape love of Christ, when received, keeps people out of eternal Hell and helps bring them through the hell we face on earth. My job as a believer is to tell everyone about the love of Jesus. I am actively involved on a daily basis in spreading the Gospel. I go into jails, nursing homes, hospitals, worksites and share the only message of hope mankind has. I am in the battle for the souls of men every day. While you sit and talk about Hell, many Christians around the world are fighting against it. You want to talk about agape love but you’re not willing to accept it. Until you experience the agape love of Christ you can’t comprehend what you’re talking about.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

For good or bad, I don't get that same perspective when I'm thinking about non-religious morals. I guess just knowing that they come from fellow man and that it tends to involve just settling for our nature (as opposed to religion which tends to advocate going beyond our natural passions) gives that impression.

Thank you. This is a very important issue. And I will put on my thinking cap.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

I don't get that same perspective when I'm thinking about non-religious morals.

This 2016 movie is about a pacifist who becomes a medic and does some real good. It might move your soul and it might not, and either way is perfectly okay.

In that regard, I guess it’s a lot like sitting in church.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

@Scooter , as a former Marine, do you really want to go “Ha-Ha” at brave men and women risking their lives in combat?

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* yes, I’m aware that you disagree with my idea that ethics is built from a number of little theories

 

[Scooter]

@Scooter , as a former Marine, do you really want to go “Ha-Ha” at brave men and women risking their lives in combat?

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* yes, I’m aware that you disagree with my idea that ethics is built from a number of little theories

Little theories are useless unless until they are put into actions.