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Reply to "Enemies of the Enlightenment"

Morality is a function of the culture in which you live. David, Deep, Bill: You all have to realize that our culture is rooted, at least partially, in biblical example. Some of them are acceptable to everyone (don't murder people for fun); some not so much (it's okay to hate homosexuals). But morality is the sum total of the rules you need to abide by to live in this culture. Debate rather than bloodshed. Sticking your finger at someone who cuts you off in traffic can be dangerous. Respect other's privacy. Fight fairly in an environment such as this.

So, Bill, at least IMHO, saying the bible is the sole source of morality is altogether wrong. Our culture is made of many elements. Many, like my ancestors, lived and died without ever knowing that Jesus existed. Even so, our culture is pervasive with Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Wiccan, Atheist, and probably even Mithraist elements. David, Deep, et. al.: You need to accept that religiosity is part and parcel with American culture. It's not an "official" part of our government, but as long as you have people who are religious in postions of power, you will always find a religious influence. Hopefully, the best type. Religion is in our national DNA.

I would daresay all of you would find a religious person in the woodpile of people who contributed to who you are today, even in a small fashion. Again, perhaps good and perhaps bad. And even Bill probably was influenced by an atheist in some fashion. Personally, I was influenced by Jesuits who taught me to ask hard questions of myself.

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