what is a sin? and who determines whether an action is a sin or not?

I don't believe in evil or sin either. I don't believe in evil because what is evil is based on morals and morals are just subjective (I think that's the word I'm looking for). I don't believe in sin, because I am atheist.

 

Yup, that's pretty much what I believe... I was having trouble trying to work out how to say it in one or two lines.. and you've just done it for me, you don't mind if I borrow that text do you?

 

I don't believe in common sense. It disappeared years ago, and never came back.

 

Sure, theoretically, they are just concepts, with no tangible existence.

But, we exist, so, that changes things.
Evil is real. It is harm, and sometimes there is no avoiding harming another.
Good is also real. It is help.

And it harm none, do what you will.

“In theory, there’s no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is."

‘For every problem there is a solution that is simple, clear, & wrong.’ H.L. Mencken

 

I've already answered this in the other thread.... http://hipforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=866915&postcount=34

 

Take it, I don't give a shit

 

Ok, for the sake of arguement I'll go along with you on this one:
Sometimes harm is helpful and help can be harmful.
Would that be good or evil?

 

In my view, taking away a junkies down is gonna hurt, but I feel it is a good act.
Letting a kid do whatever it wants seems good, but harms them, so I feel it is evil.

 

The main difference between our belief on 'evil' and 'good' is our definition. I was talking about morality where as you were defining them as 'harm' and 'help'
But, 'harm' and 'help' are subjective where as 'evil' and 'good' are absolute. So 'evil' and 'good' have to be based off of something absolute. I don't believe in absolute morality so I don't believe in 'evil' or 'good'

 

what he said

 

In practical terms, I believe in ethical absolutes, and culturally defined moral codes. In theory, I agree, love, hate, good, evil, etc., do not exist.

“In theory, there’s no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is."

 

You've got it the wrong way around... things like "love, hate, good, evil, etc." are all theories... human theories.. the theoris of them exist.. it's the pratice of them that does not..

As for ethical absolutes, you'll find that these differ from culture to culture... some cultures on the planet believe that it's right for them to circumcise(sp) baby's penises.. I whole-heartedly disagree with this.... so now we have a conflict? who's right, who wrong? who's good? who's evil?

None of the above..

 

My view on ethical absolutes is that whether you or me feel some acts are ethical or not, does not change which one they are.
I feel cutting a piece of someones body off must be classed as evil, though that is only my view, and I wouldn't dare say I am right, or that you are wrong.
Morality differs culture to culture, and is not necessarily ethical.

 

You are agreeing that there is no such thing as 'evil' yet you still use the term. You are contradicting your own beliefs by the terms you are using. That is not something wise to do in a philosophical conversation, it makes it really confusing

 

What if cutting off that piece of of body saved that persons life? What if that part of the body was rotting away, and if left to it's own devices, would end up killing that person? is it still evil to cut it off?

There was a story a few years ago about a woman that had a 200lb tumor (that's right, the tumor was larger than she was), and they cut it off, and they saved that womans life... but by your standards.. they are evil.

(incadently, the parients of the said person, once they found out from the doctors that the operation had been a success, they didn't thank the doctors, or the nurses, or the blood donors, or the people that built the hospital, or the peopel that made the tools, or even the government for giving the money for the hospital to be built.... they thanked "god" (the very one person who probally gave her the tumor in the first place) but that's another rant i'm not going to get into).

 

I point you to the quote regarding theory vs. practice.
They are real to me, though admittedly, human constructs, as all of this is.

 

surgery good
rot bad

 

so what is it? is cutting a bit off of someone good or evil... i need to know, or i'm going to go crazy here

 

P.S. I never intended to try to change your views, just share mine. I am just a guy, and my views don't mean jack shit. I could also give countless examples of
'necessary evils', and 'painful help'
It is up to you to decide for you. I enjoyed this, thank you.

 

it's been my pleasure...