Political, Philosophical, and Religious views

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I try to base all of my views on reason rather than received opinion; I know this goes against the norm, both in the US and the UK (where I'm from), but I see no alternative.

You know it's a common misconception that socialism began with Marx. That's not true at all; the original socialism was so-called Christian socialism, and predated Marx by a number of decades. It was espoused by the likes of Thomas Carlyle and William Wilberforce. I reject Christian theology bit accept most of its ethics.

Personally, there are some areas where I'm more conservative and traditionalist but in others I have a hedonistic streak, where I believe pleasure-seeking is normal or even expected.

Why hedonism?

'Cause it's fun? hehehe

Hedonism has nothing to do with libertinism. Hedonism, philosophically speaking, is the view of ethics which sees pleasure as the highest good; it says nothing about the sources of that pleasure. I, for one, believe that lower, sensual pleasures ought to be limited or wiped out altogether, insofar as they are accompanied by a greater amount of pain. Very few hedonist philosophers in history would have disagreed with this.

No is is power pased on through generation to generation.

Political: I support old school liberal views like racial equality, feminism (not so much female empowerment as much as fair and equal rights for both men and women), gay rights, religious rights, and the rights of the mentally ill and handicapped. I don't really like Democrats or Republicans. In fact I despise them both now more than ever because I believe they are both responsible for tearing this country apart, but I could potentially vote for a candidate on either side if I supported them enough. I don't believe that you have to label yourself as one extreme or the other in order to vote.

Religous: I am very much an open atheist and I despise religion (especially Christianity) but at the same time I believe in people having the right to believe in whatever they want to believe in.

Philosophical: I'm a cynic and a pessimist and I am always distrustful and doubtful of everything in life but at the same time part of me wants to believe that there is some good in the world and that not all people are bad. I think some people can change and redeem themselves if they really regret their actions but others never change at all because they never see the things they do as wrong. I also think that most morals are for each culture to decide what works for themselves but some things are just common sense like how murder, rape, torture, and stealing should be wrong anywhere you go.

Why do you want to sacrifice morality.

You don't have to sacrifice morality to practice hedonism if you do it in moderation. Pleasure is OK in moderation, it's not immoral to enjoy pleasure and to seek pleasure.

But is hedonism at all compatible with moderation?

Political: Middle.

Philosophical: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." "When you make it through, reach back and grab your brother's hand, and pull him through, too." (both from Matthew, I think)

Religious: I am of the Protestant Christian faith.

I thought the basic definition of hedonism is just the seeking of pleasure, but if it's meant to include "to excess" then I would still say I think seeking pleasure in moderation is not immoral. Enjoying good food, good sex, good music, whatever sensual experiences you like to enjoy that give you pleasure--I don't think it's immoral to indulge in such things in moderation for the sake of pleasure.

That's one aspect of some major religions that I've never personally understood, the concept of pleasure-seeking itself being sinful or immoral, makes no sense to me.

Couldn't a hedonistic society potentially be very rapey?

Why are you talking about rape now? What the hell?

I'm just saying that's what I always imagine hedonism to be about. All the taboo sexual things like rape and incest being tolerated in a society about seeking all forms of pleasure.

I seriously hope you aren't suggesting that I'm OK with rape. It was just a question.

Independent, relatively extremist views on both sides of the coin, mostly falling inline with the idea that all life should be protected.

Pessimism that exhibits hope and grace towards individuals. In other words, expect the worse, hope for the best, give others the best chance to change and grow, and believe it is possible. I also believe that all humans are inherently terrible but can make choices to change that.

I am LCMS Lutheran.