Religion
In reply to the discussion: Where do you atheists get your morals? [View all]tama
(9,137 posts)Not any belief system preaching us-against-them. Heart is enough.
And this is very logical and follows from what you say about compassion and empathy, which both common sense and scientific studies show to be in-group phenomenon. So progressive ethic would be to constantly expand and deepen the sense of in-group and circle of empathy, not create us-against-them barriers where empathy stops. Not even against "teabaggers" and "bible-thumpers". In this light, you don't have to believe in Bible to see wisdom in the advice to love thy enemy.
And it's not personal issue. Though of course there are individual differences at given moments, main point is that circle of empathy can be widened and compassion consciously practiced. And only one who can really to that and change oneself towards better human being is oneself. Others can help and the whole world is teacher, but deconstructing individual barriers of empathy is ultimately the responsibility of the individual.