Thread: Anchors

Originally Posted by JMS

Funny you should find my question confrontational and that you seem to know where I stand on this as I hardly know where I stand. I fit quite nicely into the flotsam and jetsam group and find that I agree with jockeys but with a twist that I find hard to put into words.

funny how many people think they know what or how I think without me saying a word. Quite odd.

Ah Bullsh!t Mark. I was born at night but it wasn't last night. You may try to run that jive past somebody else but I know better. You are one of the most (if not the most)"anchored" person in this community. You have intitiated threads on many ethical, moral and political topics were your opinions (or beliefs) are so firm that you won't tolerate any opposing points of view. You sir are not drifting anywhere. Not only are your beliefs well anchored, you have them fortified in a tightly sealed and armed pillbox.

Originally Posted by JMS

Jockeys asked an important question in my music censorship thread which could easily be glossed over, so I thought I would let him ask it again:



So how do you come about your belief system? In this ever changing world and the ever changing mores and ethics of society what is it that anchors you? Or do you just float along like so much flotsam and jetsam in the sea of life?
I want to know how you come to the beliefs that you have, I am not looking for a debate on the right and wrong way of things but a logical discussion on what really makes sense to each of us! If something doesn't ring true please question it but don't trample the beliefs of anyone here!


so what anchors you?

Its really simple to me. The creator of the universe made all the absolute rules we all live by, like gravity, etc. He also set forth directives for us to try to live by. There can be no other true anchor that holds.

This topic makes me think of an article I read some weeks or months ago that said the dogs have an innate sense of fairness. Here it is if you are interested. Point being that I think that people have a certain inborn sense of right and wrong independent of their societal influences. I am reminded of when Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart , in a case dealing with obscenity said, "I know it when I see it". It was visceral and didn't need a definition. I think to some extent a sense of right and wrong is like that.

I think that if the religious and societal influences weren't a factor human beings would still have a conscience. Whether they would behave any better then they have with the societal and religious influences that they have is unlikely. That brings to mind "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Its really simple to me. The creator of the universe made all the absolute rules we all live by, like gravity, etc. He also set forth directives for us to try to live by. There can be no other true anchor that holds.

This is where my twist comes into the picture! When I can word it I will post it.

Brad, as you say I have a firm grasp on what I believe. The question is (I hope this makes sense) did I come by those ideas on my own or was I lead to them? Are they my anchor? I think the answer is no. was I instructed on these thoughts or was I born with the seed of these thoughts and ideas?
This would answer the question of my anchor, and if that anchor is not the center then I go about like so much flotsam and jetsam. if it is the center where all should be anchored then I am still flotsam and jetsam going along with a greater purpose, the centers purpose that directs me, I dont direct it.

Originally Posted by JMS

This is where my twist comes into the picture! When I can word it I will post it.

Brad, as you say I have a firm grasp on what I believe. The question is (I hope this makes sense) did I come by those ideas on my own or was I lead to them? Are they my anchor? I think the answer is no. was I instructed on these thoughts or was I born with the seed of these thoughts and ideas?
This would answer the question of my anchor, and if that anchor is not the center then I go about like so much flotsam and jetsam. if it is the center where all should be anchored then I am still flotsam and jetsam going along with a greater purpose, the centers purpose that directs me, I dont direct it.

These questions are very closely tied to the whole "are there anchors" idea...

Are we beings that act, or beings that are acted upon? (this is all so closely tied to your most fundamental philosophy.) Nature vs. Nurture, or both? You are always going to end up in personal belief if you carry out the discussion.

Originally Posted by Big Red

I got my anchor from my uncle. It is about 12" x 24", aluminum I think. needs a new rope, but there you have it.

Dude, that's hillarious

1: There has to be absolutes, especially in morals. Some things ARE wrong and some right. I believe those absolutes are defined by God, creator of the universe. These absolutes are there for our own best.

2: We are far from perfect and it is no way we can follow the rules that we are supposed to follow.

3: Jesus gave me hope when it comes to all this, He took care of the consequences of me not being perfect. Out of respect for what He have done for me, I am trying to live the way He wants me to live.

So in other words, I am a christian. This doesn't mean that I am right in every aspect of life, since I am still young and hopefully have got a lot of lessons left to learn. But I believe God is right!
Also it doesn't mean that I am automatically endorsing everything other christians claim, christians have no doubt caused a lot of suffering. But I believe firmly that that is a result of evil or confused people using God to get credibility.

My anchor is: God: the father, Jesus: the son and the holy Spirit

Flyboy...The nice thing about all of this is that your philosophy can also be consistent. If there is a god (which I believe strongly that there is) then there can be anchors. Under completely biological nihilistic philosophies it doesn't work to talk about morality etc (other than a social construction).

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Flyboy...The nice thing about all of this is that your philosophy can also be consistent. If there is a god (which I believe strongly that there is) then there can be anchors. Under completely biological nihilistic philosophies it doesn't work to talk about morality etc (other than a social construction).

This statement doesn't make much sense to me. Assuming that there is a God, if He doesn't speak directly to us we have to rely on the words of those of who claim to speak in His name. And who shall that be? My father the Rabbi, the Pope or the Jehovah's Witnesses that ring my door bell from time to time? And what are we to do with those who claim to be Christians (or followers of any other religion) who do exactly the opposite of what their religion teaches: who don't turn the other cheek, love their neighbor or who cast the first stone even though they are not without sin?

Originally Posted by JMS

So how do you come about your belief system? In this ever changing world and the ever changing mores and ethics of society what is it that anchors you? Or do you just float along like so much flotsam and jetsam in the sea of life?

Don't to to others what you don't want them doing to you.
Seems to catch almost every situation I can think of.

Originally Posted by flyboy

1: There has to be absolutes, especially in morals. Some things ARE wrong and some right. I believe those absolutes are defined by God, creator of the universe. These absolutes are there for our own best.

Shirley you can't be serious.