[Rhodes22-list] Jesusland.

[Robert Skinner]

Hank -

On checking with modern dictionaries, I note that the 
distinction between the bases of the two terms has 
become blurred, so you are right on that score.

Going back to the historical origins of the terms, 
ethics have their origin in the Greek concepts of right 
action, with little or no reference to deity.  The term 
"morals" is more recently coined, appearing in the 15th 
century AD, generally associated with morality plays 
employed in religious instruction, somewhat like the 
Christian parables.

Given that the distinction between the two words is 
currently so minimal in common speech, I will restate 
my position:

Values that are not broadly multicultural, that are based 
on a single scriptural and monotheistic base, have no 
place in the laws of a secular government.

/Robert Skinner
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hank wrote:
> 
> I have to disagree on your definition of morals and ethics.  In most,
> if not all, dictionaries, morals and ethics are synonymous terms and
> are often used to define one another.  Nether one implies a Deity.
> They both are based upon acting out of a sense of right or wrong, good
> or evil.
> 
> Hank
> 
> On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 18:13:36 -0500, Robert Skinner
> <robert at squirrelhaven.com> wrote:
> > Rummy -
> >
> > Couldn't agree more about the problems that come
> > up when we combine religion with politics.
> >
> > Part of the background of our current "family values"
> > vs. secular considerations may come from our failure
> > to distinguish between moral issues and ethical ones.
> >
> > Morals are a product of a person's dialogue with his
> > deity of choice - and there is more than one such
> > acknowledged in this country.
> >
> > Ethics are shared in a society without regard to
> > religion - or the society falls apart.  When the
> > society decides to enforce morals, it becomes a
> > theocracy, and people's rights are submerged in the
> > regulations laid down by the priest class, specially
> > when it is indistinguishable from the ruling class.
> >
> > I believe that the "family values" issues raised in
> > the last election are totally irrelevant to our
> > government, and were used in the most unscrupulous
> > way to obscure the real issues confronting our
> > government.
> >
> > /Robert Skinner