och aye the noo ye bonnie wee forum ye

[theclassicist]

hi.
Im from glasgow, scotland.  I studied classics at uni, hence the name, and am interested in anything to do with religion and the ancient world/archaeology.  I was brought up as a christian fundamentalist in a wierd protestant sect...you dont wanna know...well, maybe u do...  
I also like  glueing pound coins to pavements outside coffe shops, and sniggering into my latte when strangers attempt to retrieve said coins

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, theclassicist.

I wonder if this hobby of yours is at all related to something I saw out in the woods in Wales one time.  I came across several tree stumps which had coins pounded into them.  Lots of 2 pence pieces, but a few others, though I don't recall seeing any £1 coins:

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here.

[Tank]

Hi theclassist

Welcome to Happy Atheists.

Regards
Chris

[theclassicist]

I came across several tree stumps which had coins pounded into them. Lots of 2 pence pieces, but a few others, though I don't recall seeing any £1 coins

Gosh.  No, but i suspect this kind of countryside grafitti might be a primitive form of street art.  Im now inspired to take the coinage thing to the next level.  I bet i can make a fortune from exhibition revenues, too.

[theclassicist]

And hello to u tank

[terranus]

Bonvenon al la forumo!!
[spoiler:14uvoxaj]Welcome to the forum!![/spoiler:14uvoxaj]

[theclassicist]

Hi Terranus.  So how does the Machiavellian thing work?

[terranus]

Lol, well it makes for some interesting arguments, but for me, yes.

Edit: Sorry, I thought you said "does it work". Damn dyslexia.

How does it work? Well, basically, if you are familiar with Secular Humanists - then you know one of their sayings is "Just be good for goodness sake". They argue against the idea of needing a higher being threatening them with eternal damnation in order to do good and live a moral life. Most believe that humans are naturally "good" and can do good things without the oversight of a supernatural being.

I used to be a Secular Humanist...but then I got to thinking one day...and looking at human history, I had a serious beef with the idea that humans are naturally good. In fact, when confronted with anarchy, we are clearly NOT good. Just take a look at Somalia. But then at the same time, when given the chance to exercise control over other humans, the vast majority of governments in our history became so tyranical and cruel that their own subjects had to rise up against them and at least partially replace them. So that thought progressed, and eventually I got the idea that - if there isn't a supernatural being that determines whether or not we go to heaven or hell - why should we be "good" and righteous? And furthermore, do "good" and "evil" even exist? Or are they just a false reality created by human imagination, such as faith in a supernatural being? And even if they do exist, who really has the authority to determine what falls in the "good" category, and what falls in the "bad"?

So basically, what I came up with was - you have to determine for youself what the correct course of action is the "moral" action to take based on the repercussions that action will have. Obviously those actions which are illegal you want to avoid. Other than that, the only other actions I would avoid would be those which would cause you more harm than good. Even if a certain action you take might be considered wrong or "evil" by others - as long as it benefits your life more than it hurts, and it's not something that could get you into legal trouble - I see no reason not to to go ahead with that action or actions.

I guess if I had to sum it all up in one sentence, I'd say "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do."  

[Cecilie]

Welcome.