Quote:

Pariah said:
Why is it the right thing to do?

Seriously. Your input.



I don't have a definite answer for that. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that "The Right Thing" may be a universal truth or law that goes beyond moral codes and religious doctrine, and is simply something we should obey - such as respecting the lives, ideas, and property of other people. Maybe it's meant to be an accepted fact that doesn't need logic or rationale.

I often have the feeling that we're not supposed to know for certain the answers to certain questions, including "What Is Right?" or "What Is True?" There are certain things that perhaps only G-d Himself can know the true answer to. It's what Him G-d and the rest of us human.

However, I also think that we're still supposed to ask the questions and look for answers. Why else would humanity be given the ability to question the existence or nature of G-d, or our moral codes, or our reason for being? Why else would G-d tolerate the existence of aethesits or people who believe in "wrong" religions if he could easily reveal the right path Himself in a way that leaves no room for doubt?

Heck, why else would humans be prone to curiosity? Why do we have the ability to hope and dream and imagine about what could be? Why else would we have the capacity to make choices in our lives, for good or for bad? Why else would we have the ability to learn from our mistakes, whether we choose to do so or not? Why else would we have the capacity and desire to see ourselves, either individually or collectively, as able to become better than what we are?

I believe we're meant to question and look for answers, even if answers aren't there. It's what makes us human, and makes us special and unique from all other beings in the world.

That's why I said at the beginning of this thread that each religion is valid to the people who hold to them. There may not be a true faith for all mankind - just a true faith for each individual to follow as best they can. And perhaps not having a religion is as valid a choice for an individual to follow as having a religion.

Remember, I come from a religion that doesn't believe that all mankind has to be of the same faith in order to get into Heaven or whatnot. As long as you're a good person, you're accepted. It's not about one faith being right for everyone. It's about one faith being right for us.

(Not focusing on divine reward and punishment in the afterlife and focusing on being the best people we can be while we're alive is also part of Jewish ideaology and philosophy.)

Last edited by Darknight613; 2005-03-25 7:32 AM.
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