In article
,
Billy wrote:

Snip ...

These are value judgements, (aren't they?) and don't have any objective
basis in fact (do they?). If I say that you are a stupid idiot, does
that make it true? No matter how strongly I may believe it?

You are correct. I respect those that reject my insults.
However, I rarely insult people. I use reasoning most of the time.
When people get locked up in the reasoning, many will get angry.
I find entertainment in finding those that cannot control their emotions.
I smile when they express anger and start yelling.

Other actions are restrained, why not speech?

Good Question - A philosopher at hart Billy?

As an Atheist, I still feel the needed for a set of rules in which to
live by. Most people need some rules live by. Most use their respective
religious beliefs. I no longer live by any religious teachings. So I
created my own.

One of my rules in which I try and live by.
*** I believe in maximum personal freedom as long as no one else is
directly or indirectly physically harmed ***

Speech does not harm people physically. So ok in MY book.
Stealing may harm another physically (No money for food) Not Ok.

If another uses mind altering drugs and harms no else - Ok in MY book.
If drug use causes an auto accident in which one is hurt - Not ok.

If you want a gun (even fully automatic) for self defense. OK in my book.
If one uses a gun to harm another. Not ok.

I also realize that the majority of the people makes the laws in which
we all live under. There are laws that I disagree with, but obey them.
Like the drugs laws.

A difficult rule to follow is pollution. I do drive my truck and have
electric power that comes from a coal powered plant. In someway I am
indirectly harming the earth and myself in return. Some day I hope I can
change that.

Ah, so your attack IS based on beliefs and not facts. Very interesting.

Yes, Belief is when all of the facts are not there. Most attacks are
based on beliefs - not facts. God is not a fact - a belief.

insults help
build
mental calluses for a stronger mind.

Would that mean that whipping people would make for stronger bodies?

Not in my book, Violates directly physically harming others.

In the Navy, they have an old saying about "opinions" being like "anal
sphincters". Everybody has one, but no body wants to hear it. Why should
your's be different?

It is not different. Like an old "Andy Capp" cartoon saying.
"You can say your opinions, I just don't want to here them".

However, your statement is a good example of reasoning and the inclusion
of insulting others

In Texas, a radio station was found to have lied in a news cast but the
court said that there was no law against it ("The Corporation" on DVD).

In my book their would be a law against it.

Then there are unintended consequences: Girl Commits Suicide Over
Internet Prank by ADULTS--Who is Responsible?
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/fea...007/11/girl-co
mmits-su.html

A very good question, in which I have thought about for a long time.
My answer is very harsh. People who commit suicide are physically
harming themselves - not others. Darwin is at work here ... survival of
the fittest.

When I was in school, the phrase "Sticks and Stones can harm me, but
words cannot" This is a beautiful phrase that was ingrained in every
ones mind when I went to school.

In todays schools this saying has been changed to: "Sticks and Stones
can harm me and so can words" If suicides are up - I blame the society
that tries to make everyone more kinder rather than tough minded.

This suggests that there is no truth, only debating skills, and exhibits
a deep psychological investment in personally held beliefs to the point
of a xenophobic inflexibility in learning from others.

Definition of "xenophobic" ---
"intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries :
racism and xenophobia are steadily growing in Europe."

This is not me billy. I do not fear or dislike other people from other
countries. Are you sure this word was choose wisely or just a brain
fart. You stated in the past that I should have a little more **** and
vinegar

Also, I base my life on reasoning. Most reasoning fails at the
presupposition level and most presuppositions are based on belief in
which all the facts are not there. If my presuppositions are wrong I
will change them. The existence of God was the biggest change.

Excellent Questions Billy !!!!!
You ask the questions that most people would not even dream of !!!!

Enjoy Life ... Dan

--
Email "dan lehr at comcast dot net". Text only or goes to trash automatically.