Sad times

[Richard Barrett]

Why do you (and, of course, Richard & Jean) blame others for the moral failures of the individual?

The rabbit-hole beckons...

[french frank]

Nobody is forced to believe anything!

Why does anyone believe anything?

[P. G. Tipps]

Why does anyone believe anything?

Do you not believe something?

[Flosshilde]

No, you're right, Flossie, I don't understand but how I try, oh how I try!

You're definitely trying.

Children, if blessed, normally grow into adults. Adults normally have the ability to make up their own minds regarding personal belief and, if they are fortunate enough to live in a free society, can go on to practise their own morality as they see fit within the law.


Everyone in a free society has choices when it comes to a personal belief system,

Have you not heard of brain-washing, or indoctrination? Of people, adults, 'rescued' from cults who have to be de-programmed?

[P. G. Tipps]

The rabbit-hole beckons...

You seem to have a thing about rabbits.

Ahinton will be the first to have noticed the lack of a proper answer, I'm sure ...

[Flosshilde]

Do you not believe something?

I think you have 'misunderstood' the question (as usual).

[Flosshilde]

Ahinton will be the first to have noticed the lack of a proper answer, I'm sure ...

When did you stop beating your wife?

[P. G. Tipps]

Have you not heard of brain-washing, or indoctrination? Of people, adults, 'rescued' from cults who have to be de-programmed?

Yes, but I've never actually come across such people in Cheshire, tbh.

Is that what regularly happens these days in Glasgow, Flossie ... ?

[Flosshilde]

I think the Catholic congregations are decreasing.

[french frank]

Do you not believe something?

I believe some things, but my question was a general one: why do people believe what they do? I think it's very complex: indoctrination stops people thinking for themselves, but in terms of individuals some people are predisposed to believe what they're told while others are natural sceptics. In terms of 'moral failures' I'm not sure that I understand the concept beyond it being 'doing what, according to some people or doctrine, is morally wrong'. Which poses a question about moral authority. Which in turn hinges on what you believe.

I think the Orlando shootings were caused by a form of insanity, of twisted thinking, and can only think of environment or 'nurture' as being at the root of it.

[P. G. Tipps]

I think you have 'misunderstood' the question (as usual).

No, Flossie, I simply didn't respond in kind to ff's somewhat mischievous question ... oh, where is that Roger Scruton quote when I need it!

[P. G. Tipps]

I think the Orlando shootings were caused by a form of insanity, of twisted thinking, and can only think of environment or 'nurture' as being at the root of it.

So you are at least partly blaming the killer's parents for his insanity ... ?

[Richard Barrett]

where is that Roger Scruton quote

In the bin where it belongs I would hope.

[P. G. Tipps]

I think the Catholic congregations are decreasing.

Do you really?

I think the weather will be nice tomorrow, though ...

[french frank]

So you are at least partly blaming the killer's parents for his insanity ... ?

I wouldn't use the word 'blame'. I said environment - by which I meant, well, what environment means, including social environment, when he was growing up. Not how his parents brought him up.