tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214951.post1296812545123145778..comments2024-03-17T08:07:12.695-05:00Comments on Between The Lines: Girls in tuxedos sought in schools, not religious beliefJeff Sadowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972004592729833310noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214951.post-30741463704926559462015-04-15T15:59:55.287-05:002015-04-15T15:59:55.287-05:00I don't think Sadow is lacking compassion, jus...I don't think Sadow is lacking compassion, just empathy (the Achilles heel of conservatism, especially on the religious right). They aren't the same things. Sadow, in accordance with modern religious conservatism, values conformity. This means his compassion extends to his own his kin, his like - but stops at those who are 'unlike' - the 'other'. Doesn't have to be 'gay', but that is the group most tormenting the religious right at the moment, so that is the group that is the target of laughable claims of 'persecution' of white Christians. Lack of empathy is the reason religion even continues among an educated populace. How many times have we been told that, without a magic character in the sky threating us, we are free to injure and abuse without consequence. But we no longer need it to stop us from being 'bad' to each other UNLESS you are of such a mind (so lacking in empathy) that you cant understand why you should behave civically and morally WITHOUT the threat of superstitious punishment. Ironically, a basic understanding of the Golden Rule buttresses all non-theistic behaviors, and isolates the superstitious who cannot understand it, even as it claims centerstage in the very religion they fail to adhere to. If you cant be nice to people without fear of punishment, youre little more than a household pet, morally speaking - acting under duress, and awaiting the rolled-up newspaper. Its no way to live in non-medieval world. Reminds me of an old joke. Jesus says 'believe in me and you will be saved'. Skeptic asks 'saved from what?" and Jesus replies 'What i'll do to you if you don't believe in me'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com