I'm not claiming I adhere perfectly to these principles but it's my goal anyway. Like everyone else, I’m a work in-progress and have developed this code over the years. These are in no particular order.
Don't hurt people or bother their stuff.
Do not initiate violence but protect yourself, your loved ones, and any other living being that needs it by whatever means is available.
Be kind to animals. Even if you eat them, give them a good life and a peaceful death.
Tell the truth.
Keep your word.
Be kind and help people.
Stand up for what is right.
Fulfill your responsibilities.
Some of those may be redundant. Everything else that comes to mind is covered by one or more of the above.
Who, what, where, how, and whether a person worships;
What other people think about;
What a person chooses to read or watch on TV;
What consenting adults do sexually;
How a person medicates and recreates;
What a person eats or drinks;
What words a person chooses to use;
...those things are personal preferences and have nothing to do with morality.
Earthchild has spoken. As always, I welcome your comments.
20 December 2012
19 December 2012
School shootings
I’m reading a lot of opinions and suggestions—even demands—for what to do to prevent these school shootings. I've seen a lot of finger-pointing and name-calling, and too many knee-jerk reactions. We need to stop that and focus on finding a solution. In order to find a solution, we need to identify the problem. Too many people think they have the answer without even thinking of the other possibilities or other facts. So let's discuss this. These are my opinions and some facts on which they are based about some of the statements I've seen so far about this topic. Feel free to add yours.
It's not lack of religion; there are countries where the majority of the population is atheist that don't have this kind of violence. I know many atheists, agnostics... who are way more moral than some Christians I know and some Christians who are way more moral than some non-religious folk that I know. It's just not a factor. Of course, I suppose that depends on your definition of morality. I’ll address that in a separate post.
Along those lines, the problem is not because we "kicked God out of the schools". Many countries do not allow religion in their schools and they don’t have this problem. Add to that the fact that saying your god stood by and watched those children being violently murdered and terrorized and could have saved them... could have prevented it... and would have prevented it but he allowed it because some adults decided to keep the government free from religion so that everyone could have freewill in their religious decisions... THAT doesn't sound like a god I'd like very much or who is deserving of any worship. That is certainly not a loving and caring god. [I know not all Christians believe that--probably not even a majority--but it has been said and, therefore, should be addressed.]
Guns are not the problem; there are countries where there is a high percentage of gun ownership that don't have the violence that happens in the United States. Violence wasn't even a problem historically in the United States. I've actually been told--but have no reference for it--that boys in rural areas used to take their guns to school so they could go hunting afterwards so it’s not about gun ownership or even taking a gun out in public. I need to look that up but, if anyone here is old enough to remember this or has any documentation for the validity or lack thereof, please speak up.
My question is this: Could there be a factor that we've only had in recent years that is causing people to be more violent?
It is a fact that anyone who wants to get a gun will have a gun just like anyone who wants to smoke pot or use drugs will get what they want. More laws won't help in either situation. Disarming responsible people will not disarm criminals. Putting responsible people in a position to protect people is what will help.
Also witness the recent stabbing incident in China. Violence doesn't require a gun. A person can be hurt or killed without a gun. Anyone who wants to hurt someone will find a way. Sure some weapons allow for more damage than others but the problem isn't how many people are hurt; the problem is that it happens at all.
It's not a lack of mental health care but I think the type and quality of mental health care is an issue. As a person who is receiving said mental health care, I can tell you that at least my doctor is just a pill pusher who has no idea and doesn't care about helping me. He cannot be the only one. At any rate, a huge number of these shooters have been people who are on psych drugs so obviously they have access to treatment. It could be that they're being given the wrong treatment. I also question whether they did it because of their mental condition and the drugs weren't helping or if the drugs caused it. Perhaps the drug was just what they needed to push them over the edge. Lyrica turned me into a raging bitch. I know another person who is one of the kindest and most easy-going people I've ever known and Lyrica caused him to become disagreeable and angry. I live on the edge of raging bitch so it was easy for the drug to push me over so I can see how that could happen to a person who already has mental problems.
So why is it that these shootings are happening so much in the United States? Are they happening in other countries? What are other countries doing that is working and not working for them?
Another question comes to mind: There have been shootings in other places but why are they mostly happening in public schools?
Well, I've typed that off the top of my head but will find documentation to present if requested. Whether you agree with me or not, your well-thought-out and reasoned comments are welcome. Indeed; they are requested. We'll never find a solution if we can't have well-reasoned discussions.
It's not lack of religion; there are countries where the majority of the population is atheist that don't have this kind of violence. I know many atheists, agnostics... who are way more moral than some Christians I know and some Christians who are way more moral than some non-religious folk that I know. It's just not a factor. Of course, I suppose that depends on your definition of morality. I’ll address that in a separate post.
Along those lines, the problem is not because we "kicked God out of the schools". Many countries do not allow religion in their schools and they don’t have this problem. Add to that the fact that saying your god stood by and watched those children being violently murdered and terrorized and could have saved them... could have prevented it... and would have prevented it but he allowed it because some adults decided to keep the government free from religion so that everyone could have freewill in their religious decisions... THAT doesn't sound like a god I'd like very much or who is deserving of any worship. That is certainly not a loving and caring god. [I know not all Christians believe that--probably not even a majority--but it has been said and, therefore, should be addressed.]
Guns are not the problem; there are countries where there is a high percentage of gun ownership that don't have the violence that happens in the United States. Violence wasn't even a problem historically in the United States. I've actually been told--but have no reference for it--that boys in rural areas used to take their guns to school so they could go hunting afterwards so it’s not about gun ownership or even taking a gun out in public. I need to look that up but, if anyone here is old enough to remember this or has any documentation for the validity or lack thereof, please speak up.
My question is this: Could there be a factor that we've only had in recent years that is causing people to be more violent?
It is a fact that anyone who wants to get a gun will have a gun just like anyone who wants to smoke pot or use drugs will get what they want. More laws won't help in either situation. Disarming responsible people will not disarm criminals. Putting responsible people in a position to protect people is what will help.
Also witness the recent stabbing incident in China. Violence doesn't require a gun. A person can be hurt or killed without a gun. Anyone who wants to hurt someone will find a way. Sure some weapons allow for more damage than others but the problem isn't how many people are hurt; the problem is that it happens at all.
It's not a lack of mental health care but I think the type and quality of mental health care is an issue. As a person who is receiving said mental health care, I can tell you that at least my doctor is just a pill pusher who has no idea and doesn't care about helping me. He cannot be the only one. At any rate, a huge number of these shooters have been people who are on psych drugs so obviously they have access to treatment. It could be that they're being given the wrong treatment. I also question whether they did it because of their mental condition and the drugs weren't helping or if the drugs caused it. Perhaps the drug was just what they needed to push them over the edge. Lyrica turned me into a raging bitch. I know another person who is one of the kindest and most easy-going people I've ever known and Lyrica caused him to become disagreeable and angry. I live on the edge of raging bitch so it was easy for the drug to push me over so I can see how that could happen to a person who already has mental problems.
So why is it that these shootings are happening so much in the United States? Are they happening in other countries? What are other countries doing that is working and not working for them?
Another question comes to mind: There have been shootings in other places but why are they mostly happening in public schools?
Well, I've typed that off the top of my head but will find documentation to present if requested. Whether you agree with me or not, your well-thought-out and reasoned comments are welcome. Indeed; they are requested. We'll never find a solution if we can't have well-reasoned discussions.
10 December 2012
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