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