Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site masscomp.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!masscomp!lip
From: lip@masscomp.UUCP (John Lipinski)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Where do morals come from
Message-ID: <175@masscomp.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Dec-84 11:30:40 EST
Article-I.D.: masscomp.175
Posted: Thu Dec 13 11:30:40 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Dec-84 06:08:58 EST
References: <899@utastro.UUCP>
Reply-To: lip@masscomp.UUCP (John Lipinski)
Distribution: net
Organization: Masscomp - Westford, MA
Lines: 23
Summary: 

>I have a question for the non-theists out there: where does the
>authority for your moral system come from?
>
>I'm particularly interested in whether you feel your system allows any
>judgement of the behavior of others.
>
>Charley Wingate  umcp-cs!mangoe

To Wingate:

Non-theists derive their authority from their own personal
power/influence/will.  Power creates its own values.  No justification
is necessary, either by a possible god or any other influence.

On the other hand, theists generally rely on the power of the
collective acceptance of their respective society or culture for their
authority.

A not-theistic system "allowing judgement of the behavior of others" is
certainly possible.  How can any one *not* judge or evaluate his or her
experiences?

			- John Lipinski