Posted by Friend [Friend] on November 12, 1999 at 09:03:15 {CkRQXOxAaIhxaL3hj3H2OgnjR4Br/g}:
In Reply to: *****I knew it... posted by mntzion on November 12, 1999 at 08:19:50:
mntzion
I presume from your comments that you would catagorize shunning someone who has DA'd is a "spiritual" act by informed individuals who are mearly chosing one value system that is not subject to intellectual examination?
Everything is subject to intellectual examination. The question is whether that is enough, does that type examination satisfy the inward drive for purpose and fulfillment that all humans possess. For some people it might. Others look beyond that toward ideas that can be neither proved or disproved absolutely based upon present facts absolutely established. They are looking for purpose and fulfillment that intellect alone cannot give them.
Besides that, amongst humankind we find varying convictions regarding morality. Combined there exists value systems that differ sometimes to the point of being opposites on individual issues. Overall differences from one value system to another may appear small to one person and large to another person of equal intelligence. In that case then, intelligence is not the determining factor. I contend that that difference in view often boils down to spiritual values wherein examination I have already described takes place and is applied.
In the case of shunning, to some extent we have all shunned someone for some reason at some point in life. Those cases likewise fit the profile of the examination I have already described. Today most every community practices some form of shunning, sometimes severe forms of shunning. In most cases that shunning is manifest by incarcerating those a given community decides act too badly for normal day to day contact. While incarceration may be punishment it is also society’s way of shunning for sake of protection. In some cases that shunning is taken to the most extreme edge by putting to death someone deemed totally unfit even for life amongst their chosen society/community.
In each case we must individually examine and weigh matters to decide what community we will tolerate and/or support. In the end if people have made an informed choice and their chosen community accommodates society at large then the community should be respected as well as the individuals making it.
Friend