And it's always about how others should live. I'm perfectly ok with people deciding for themselves that they want to live by scripture x, y or z but then they invariably want others to live by their scripture as well.
What strikes me as the common element in all those situations is that it is always people deciding how others should live or act. It's never about them, they are doing just fine. But others, those should abide by the fairly arbitrary restrictions thrown up. Either because of religion, or because of fear there is always some button that can be pressed to get people to tell other people how they should live their lives.
You can see this in almost every ethics debate, be it about gay marriage, euthanasia, treatment of prisoners, immigration, abortion etc. And as a rule it's the same 'busybodies' as you call them on the wrong side of the argument.
And there it is! We only want ourselves to be comfy, but nobody cares what effect it has on anyone else. Just as long as everyone conforms to your way of thinking.
I really don't care if you want to live an limited life experience and assume it is the only possible way of life. But when you start telling other people that they must live like you want them to because they want to live in the same area you do is just too much to take. It doesn't truly affect you other than you have to accept something you don't agree.
Why? If one is issuing mandates from a position of authority, I agree that following what one imposes on others is essential, but in intellectual discussion one should be free to argue a position and its opposite the next minute. Anything less is downright dangerous for the group and society as a whole. We can't depend on the half-dozen cranks that actually live their lives swimming against the tide to argue for everything that is truly different, nor should we trust their arguments just because they turn their crackpot theories into practice.
Ah, the omniscient position. If only everyone behaved like me, the world would be a better place.
I'll continue to define what a better life looks like for myself, and I'll continue to respect the right of others to do the same, thank you very much.
Yeah that's the part I don't understand. Don't the people care whether what they are doing is right or wrong? Don't they have any morals or beliefs on their own? If you decide to do the opposite as you are told, then the other person is controlling you as much as the person who does what they are told.
Oh, I don't think its a matter of right or wrong. They have a right to decide whatever they think is best. I'm just trying to understand it.
You are right though, it is what it is. I suppose I am just interested in understanding why people do what they do, and this was an intriguing topic of personal relevance to me, and I assumed potentially to others here at this particular moment. But, I agree speculation on the topic is exhausted at this point. Thanks for humoring me anyways.
Is your argument against "forcing others to live how you see fit" as in your original comment, or against change from the status quo as in these follow on comments? These are not the same thing.
I only speak for myself and would feel uncomfortable enforcing my values on others. That's why my comment posed this more as an open question and discussion.
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