I'm tired, I tried to stay out of this, and I apologize in advance for the multitudes of people I'll surely piss off.
First, to stay on topic - I'm registered as an Indepent, though I voted for many Democratic candidates in the last election. Honestly, I don't know much about the party platforms and would rather investigate each candidates stance on issues that are important to me.
Finally, this isn't meant to be a personal attack. I don't know Mike Rush, I have never met him, I don't care to meet him, and he's free to believe whatever he'd like to believe. Further, he's free to openly and endlessly write about it here or anywhere else, and defend himself as he deems necessary. Or not. He can be the 'bigger person' and let it die, because, obviously, any person who makes an effort at clarifying themselves, their position, or history is out for the big win and nothing else. I don't care anymore, really. I've just about had it with these forums - or society - or me. I don't know. I do know, though, that I probably won't feel any better for writing any of this - but I will anyway for the sake of continuity and for the sake of my sanity. I need this for myself more than anyone reading it probably does.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mike Rush
There is a truth. There is a right and there is a wrong. It is completely independent of what you (or I) think about any subject. Unfortunately, moral relativism has permeated our society and is tearing it apart.
The battle is between traditional moral values and post modern relativism. It is a battle about the basic civil societal beliefs. Ask yourself... If right and wrong are relative, where is the line? Who decides where it is? When will it cross the point at which you would draw it? What will you do then? What should you do now?
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By your logic, though, is there really any battle at all? You're setting yourself up as an absolute. You are right. 'Moral relativists' are wrong. You're not inviting debate, obviously, but declaring the supremacy of your line of thinking. You won't entertain the possibility of another opinion because you would then be participating in something you perceive to be destructive to society.
Truth is a very powerful word, and it's been used in such a way that shows little regard for that power. But, again, that's me speaking as a moral relativist, by default, since I'm questioning you.
If you've convinced yourself of this, I envy you. There's little else in the world that I seek more than conviction. I don't know, for certain, about anything. I am forced to call my life into question on a daily basis, but I fight on. It's hard, really, and I'm not always certain why I do it. But, somewhere, somehow, there's a driving force that keeps me going - keeps me questioning, and learning, and growing. Maybe it's conviction. Maybe it's something else. Something weak. Something sinister. Something lost.
While I don't suspect this to be the case, it's also entirely possible that you've architected your argument in such a way as to achieve what I've described. If so, good try. I'm not buying it, though, and through this post, I'm fulfilling my obligation to myself - and to others (by my own order, admittedly) to point it out. It's a good word game you've played, but it is only a game. The
truth of the matter is that you're in no better position to tell what is wrong or right than anyone else. The
truth of the matter is that moral relativism is unavoidable in the face of progress.
What is right and wrong, anyway? Where can we find an absolute definition? Webster's? Surely, good old Daniel put his own moral spin on the words. The Bible? Are people who aren't Christian contributing to the moral decay of our society? The Koran? The Torah? Consumer Reports? Who in the realm of man defines truth? I don't know. I don't think you know either.
Oh, but there's that pesky relativism creeping up on us again.
I have more to say, honestly. I'd intended to go back and research some documentation regarding separation of church and state. But, given your last post, I won't bother. It's not worth it.
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Again, I apologize to everyone. I can't say what for, exactly, because I'm still not certain quite what I've done that seems to upset people so greatly. I'm learning, growing, and changing - and in some major ways that most people would never conceive. Writing helps me to work things out - and for everything I write in public, know that I've done ten times as much in private conversation or in journal. It's not personal, but it helps me to clarify how I feel, and I hope that maybe by doing this 'out loud', so to speak, there's one person somewhere who has things a bit easier than I've had. I know my views, my decisions, and my words are not always popular, but it's taken me a long time, a lot of difficult introspection, and a lot of strength to be able to share them - and I can't let people stop take that away from me.
Yes, I am fighting for something with every fiber of my being each time I write. No, I don't care one bit if I'm right.
I hope that clears things up. I'm sorry.