Atheists AronRa and Matt Dillahunty take on a caller questioning Matt's
statement that adherence to reality is an asset when making decisions relating
to well being. The process involves correct knowledge preferably based on
testable assertions
Other segments carry the Theist arguments to an extreme. Their arguments go
like this:
1. Atheists make a claim that moral values have evolved over time, and are
thus not absolute.
2. Theists reply that since moral values without God are subject to change,
one needs an absolute basis for judgment coming for am All-Knowing, All-Loving
Creator who is the Lawgiver and Source of Absolute morals.
3. Atheists reply that a. the existence of the Creator-God is questionable
since there's no direct evidence,
.........b. the problem of evil (especially the questions raised by Epicurus).
........ c. the question of which God is "true" one
.........d. the Bible-based statements demonstrating that the Judaeo-Christian
condoned slavery and
.............actually sanctioned it (Cf. Exodus 21), and also condoned and
promoted stoning for a variety of
.............offences such as adultery, working on the Sabbath, and for unruly
children.
,,,,
Can the debate be applied to TM? Yes, at least the TMO has tried to make the
connection between the practice of TM and one's well-being. Parameters such as
blood pressure and brain waves are the low-hanging fruit and haven't countered
the effect of control techniques such as Mindfulness.
....
Ironically, advances connecting meditation to morals have been made outside
the TM Movement by people like Sam Harris; and a stronger case is made when
introducing the evidence relating to the Polyvagal nervous system. Finally,
the TMO needs a stronger connection to Compassion, not merely a few lip-service
statements by MMY. A 3 min video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG6ljqgf4CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG6ljqgf4CA
