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Re: Spiritual Death
Posted By: Darien, on host 207.10.37.2
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 1998, at 20:50:44
In Reply To: Re: Spiritual Death posted by Sam on Tuesday, October 6, 1998, at 20:31:00:

> It's true that the Bible doesn't mention or consider many modern day scenarios. But the level of instruction that the Bible gives need not take these into account. Unlike, for example, a legal tome, which must close all loopholes by describing what is and is not allowed in excruciating detail, the Bible's instruction is broader and more universally applicable. It teaches principles, rather than specific directions, about how to make moral decisions.

So I guess the question I've been alluding to is this: what is morality, anyway? Is it something we have because God or society says so, or is it ingrained in man? Are morals with us at birth, in which case, man can be trusted to make these potentially earth-shattering decisions, or is morality just another word for obedience?

The Bible teaches us about how to make moral decisions, but it does not mention those decisions in the context of one man pursuing one task which will either save the world or destroy it (that's about as big as it could get; I KNOW that hasn't come up yet) - what does the Bible say about a technology that could bring an end to suffering and to disease and to hunger, but which could also be used to the opposite effect, destroying everything? God has given no mandate about that.

Everything is in relation, proportion, scale; so we should be able to scale it down, right? And, according at least to medical science, it is alright to subject a patient to extremely risky procedures if there is a chance of curing him completely - as long as he consents. So, by that token, as long as the whole world says it's okay, it's okay, which leads us right back to nowhere.

I'm not sure what I'm getting at here (I've had a long day), but I did have a point when I started. I think it's still there.

> The frank and honest answer, whether you argue this from a biblical perspective or not -- there ISN'T any easy answer to the questions we've been asking in this thread. There ISN'T any easy or foolproof way to determine what is a moral use of technology and what isn't. The best we can hope for is that each person who has a hand in the development and/or implementation of technology will make an intelligent, informed decision based on the best interests of God and humanity.

So, we guess? We just throw dice, and if it comes up odd, we go for it? Or...?

dkd1

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