I'm An Atheist Who Follows the Golden Rule

[Demonslayer]

Since the Golden Rule doesn't depend on religion or theism, I can't see why this would be ironic.

Alanis Morrisette disagrees.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Alanis Morrisette disagrees.

A good example of irony: writing a song about irony where all of the examples of "irony" are merely unfortunate, not ironic.

 

[PackJason]

Irony: Praying for your church softball team to win the big game and then getting run over by the team bus.

 

[PackJason]

 

[Akivah]

Is that irony?

Do you follow the Golden rule as stated positively or as stated negatively?

 

[PackJason]

Do you follow the Golden rule as stated positively or as stated negatively?

What?

 

[George-ananda]

Is that irony?

No, it is common sense and not particularly just Christian. Even though you are an atheist (and I am Hindu-ish), I believe we all advance spiritually the same way and the importance of our opinions on the existence of God is overrated. A good atheist can advance better than a lazy self-serving theist in my understanding.

 

[Akivah]

What?

From Wikipedia

The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is a moral maxim or principle of altruism found in many human cultures and religions, suggesting it may be related to a fundamental human nature. The maxim may appear as either a positive or negative injunction governing conduct:

• One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself (positive or directive form).
• One should not treat others in ways that one would not like to be treated (negative or prohibitive form).

Do you prefer the positive or negative form?

 

[PackJason]

From Wikipedia

Do you prefer the positive or negative form?

Ummm ... Both, I guess.

 

[Demonslayer]

From Wikipedia

Do you prefer the positive or negative form?

I guess looking at that I'd say I abide more by the negative than the positive. Like I don't punch people, steal from them, or poop on the hood of their car, because I wouldn't want the same done to me.

On the other hand, I'd love it if someone gave me a large sum of money for no reason, cleaned my house, or tuned up my car, but I don't go around doing those things for people.

 

[PackJason]

If I see someone with their arms full of groceries, I'll hold the door open for them. Positive?

If I see someone with their arms full of groceries, I don't knock all the stuff out of their hands and laugh at them. Negative?

 

[Akivah]

I guess looking at that I'd say I abide more by the negative than the positive. Like I don't punch people, steal from them, or poop on the hood of their car, because I wouldn't want the same done to me.

On the other hand, I'd love it if someone gave me a large sum of money for no reason, cleaned my house, or tuned up my car, but I don't go around doing those things for people.

I agree, I prefer the negative form also. Judaism's golden rule uses the negative whereas Christianity's golden rule uses the positive.

The positive form is more in-your-face. I'm doing something to you because I like it, no matter your beliefs.
The negative form is more respectful to others. I will forbear doing something to you, because I don't like it either.

 

[Demonslayer]

agree, I prefer the negative form also.

I mean, the positive is probably even nicer than the negative. If I don't kick you in the shin, that's one thing. But if I show up at your house and detail your car for you, just because I wish someone would do that for me, that's really going above and beyond.

I just think the negative is more realistic. Live and let live, kind of idea.

 

[Demonslayer]

The positive form is more in-your-face. I'm doing something to you because I like it, no matter your beliefs.

That's true too, I didn't think of that. Just because I like to cover myself in honey and let homeless people lick it off, doesn't mean everyone wants that.

 

[viole]

Is that irony?

Nope. The golden rule validity, if any, is independent from being a theist or not. The fact that Chrstians think is a good thing is because they already knew it was a good thing. Otherwise, they would be puzzled by hearing Jesus ever mentioning it.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Demonslayer]

If I see someone with their arms full of groceries, I don't knock all the stuff out of their hands and laugh at them.

You want to though, admit it.

 

[PackJason]

You want to though, admit it.

Only if they're in a wheelchair.

 

[corynski]

What would be "ironic" with anyone living by "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow"?

Seems like a perfectly reasonable philosophy for just about everyone to me.

As Hillel put it: "What you don't like, don't do to others; that is the whole law; the rest is commentary; go and learn."

 

[bobhikes]

Is that irony?

No its gospel and that's irony.

We need other people to survive at all points of our lives. Which is why the golden rule is universal.

 

[BenTheBeliever]

Is that irony?

No it's not. I believe the golden rule does not have to mean anything Religious. The golden rule is a good rule to go by for anyone's life