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Dems2002

(509 posts)

20. I prefer Kierkegaard - Fear and Trembling

Wed May 14, 2014, 02:16 PM

May 2014

I really love Kierkegaard's discussion of ethics versus religion in Fear and Trembling which examines the decision made by Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac because God told him to do so. I read it years ago and it has stayed with me ever since.

"Ethics are for the good of the many, and they transcend an individual’s personal aesthetic concerns, but Abraham recognizes that his personal relationship to God transcends his social commitment to ethics. If Abraham had desired to kill Isaac, this would have been both immoral and irreligious. However, Abraham doesn’t decide to kill Isaac for personal aesthetic reasons or for social ethical reasons. Abraham decides to kill Isaac because of Abraham’s personal faith that God will not actually allow Isaac to die."

http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/kierkegaard/section2.rhtml

Now, in one of the retellings, Abraham actually kills Isaac and so he has to stand trial for Isaac's murder because the ethics of his decision to follow God and kill his son are not defensible to the state, which has created laws to prevent people from murder. In this retelling, Abraham understands that he should be punished by man because he broke man's law and he is perfectly fine with taking this punishment.

This is what I wish modern day conservatives could grasp.

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GOP Favorite In Nebraska Senate Race: Religious Belief Justifies Breaking Any Law [View all] big_dog May 2014 OP

So he's pro-Sharia Law? sharp_stick May 2014 #1

Pretty much. Xyzse May 2014 #5

I don't think so yeoman6987 May 2014 #60

Sad. Xyzse May 2014 #64

Even if loss is certain, Democrats need to campaign against kiranon May 2014 #67

Precisely. Would that view justify slavery if the master believed in slavery? JDPriestly May 2014 #27

Being throughly indoctrinated in illogical world views is a Republican requirement. Enthusiast May 2014 #52

The Christian Dominionists call it "Biblical law," but it's exactly the same thing as Sharia law. blkmusclmachine May 2014 #42

I think some wear them now, dominated by male authority, but they are invisible. n/t RKP5637 May 2014 #55

How amazing is it that they are crowning him already yeoman6987 May 2014 #58

The DNC should run ads featuring him as the face of the GOP in all fifty states. onehandle May 2014 #2

k&r!! big_dog May 2014 #8

Yeah, that's for damn sure mindwalker_i May 2014 #11

so if christianity violates my religious beliefs I can legally discriminate against them nt msongs May 2014 #3

Of course not, silly. Only "true" far rightwing "Christians" have the legal right to discriminate!!! blkmusclmachine May 2014 #43

Certainly! Now, I can put my signs up, "We DO NOT serve RW Christians, Bigots, RKP5637 May 2014 #57

No way to prove in court that God isn't talking directly to me. Voice for Peace May 2014 #4

On the other hand, no way to convince a jury that God is talking to you onenote May 2014 #10

But if Master Sassy has his way, it will be unresolved. Voice for Peace May 2014 #14

So... savalez May 2014 #6

To phrase it simply many Christians believe that A Simple Game May 2014 #15

Does anyone in the Nebraska corporate media Kelvin Mace May 2014 #7

Then what is the point of having laws in the first place???? AZ Mike May 2014 #9

No secular laws allowed, not even the Constitution. This is where it really gets twisted and dumb. freshwest May 2014 #41

No laws. Wild West. With Talibangelical crazies armed to the teeth. It's "Stand Your Ground" againt blkmusclmachine May 2014 #44

The dems seem to constantly test the winds for the crazies and then adjust to suit the crazies. RKP5637 May 2014 #59

Talibornagain (R) AceAcme May 2014 #12

Well. Since they think atheism is a Religion ... I'm gonna have fun! n/t broadcaster75201 May 2014 #13

And those that practice Islam, can break laws too! SoapBox May 2014 #16

How about worshipers of SATAN! (Said in your best Dana Carvey voice) Dustlawyer May 2014 #29

Christian Taliban. Baitball Blogger May 2014 #17

+1. They earn the label "The American Taliban" with every breath they take. blkmusclmachine May 2014 #45

Which, in turn, justifies the same fines and jail time as if it didn't. eppur_se_muova May 2014 #18

hmmmm rtracey May 2014 #19

I prefer Kierkegaard - Fear and Trembling Dems2002 May 2014 #20

Oh FFS ... GeorgeGist May 2014 #56

Jerks. Nobody forces anyone to do anything except thugs like him lostincalifornia May 2014 #21

Barry Goldwater on the religious right Evar May 2014 #22

So he supports people not standing for the Pledge of Allegiaand not being attacked for their actions Mike Daniels May 2014 #23

* If those religious beliefs are precisely what he believes. EEO May 2014 #24

I so hate the ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #25

Heck, that "XXX pre-dates government" argument has got to be the weakest AleksS May 2014 #26

It isn't. It is the idea of natural rights that pre-date written laws. It isn't a crazy idea at al JDPriestly May 2014 #35

Joe Ricketts Now Controls Nebraska DallasNE May 2014 #28

So that mean that no store should be open on Sunday Pakid May 2014 #30

I detest Hobby Lobby, but fifthoffive May 2014 #62

If it's my religious belief that getting high puts me in touch with God rickyhall May 2014 #31

Not according to the supreme court. Enthusiast May 2014 #53

And if my religion is Bacchanalia sdfernando May 2014 #32

meaning, of course, that YOU don't have to do any changing MisterP May 2014 #33

how can a right under the government pre-date the government that affirms that right? UpInArms May 2014 #34

Crazy talk! blkmusclmachine May 2014 #46

BIOOIYAC tanyev May 2014 #36

IOKIYACRWCN blkmusclmachine May 2014 #47

it's all just noise until he argues that in front of a judge.... mike_c May 2014 #37

Ben Sasse, the "Sharia Law" candidate..... Historic NY May 2014 #38

Terrific. Two Ted Cruzes in the Senate. BlueStater May 2014 #39

That's what DC's "THE FAMILY" does. Gets these people in positions of power to change laws. In Jeff blkmusclmachine May 2014 #48

"...as long as that religious belief is the same one I have" LoisB May 2014 #40

I have made this offer before... Moostache May 2014 #49

Human Sacrifice anyone? Go Aztec! Bohemianwriter May 2014 #50

How, exactly, is Uncle Sam in the abortion business? Enthusiast May 2014 #51

What he is preaching is subversion of the US government. A dangerous person to democracy and RKP5637 May 2014 #54

Let the human sacrifice begin. Heywood J May 2014 #61

Why, ALL, of course! hatrack May 2014 #63

Render Unto Caesar Marthe48 May 2014 #65

If it is true for Eddie Snowden, it's true for this guy. treestar May 2014 #66