Different moral standards (was : On the other hand)

[Doriane]

No: HPFGUIDX 93117


Geoff said :

> As a Christian, I believe that there are moral absolutes

Del replies :

I'm a Christian too, but not everyone is. And even as fellow 
Christians, it is possible we don't have exactly the same moral 
absolutes.

Geoff said :

> Jesus was asked on one occasion about the great commandments and 
> he distilled them into two. (...) the second is to love your 
> neighbour as yourself.
>
> Some readers will doubtless disagree with me over the first but 
> the second is in many ways the mortar of society and we can only 
> get this one to work if we agree on the fundamental structure of 
> society.

Del replies :

I must respectfully disagree. I just have to look around me to see 
that most people, Christian or not, don't care about loving their 
neighbours. They want to be loved, but they don't care about loving. 
Big difference. It's always "me first". Just like the Dursleys. The 
only true mortar of society that I can see, so far, is that everyone 
is looking for their own fulfillment, in their own way. So everyone 
tries to compromise to get their way as much as possible : I'll give 
you this if you let me do that. That's not love, that's greed.

Moreover, as far as we know, the Dursleys are not Christians. Or at 
least, we don't see them practicing any kind of Christian faith. So 
they can't be judged by Christian standards.

Geoff said :

> Some of your aspects of society will differ but these are 
> superficial ones.
> The bedrock of life, the moral absolutes - not killing, not lying, 
> honouring the family etc. - are the same in Harry's Wizarding 
> world as they are in our world; if not, then the 11th Septembers 
> and Madrids of this world become just part of a different moral 
> code......

Del replies :

I'm sorry Geoff, but that's EXACTLY what they are : acts of war, 
from people who try to impose their own ideology by force. Just like 
Christian missionaries and leaders did a few centuries ago...
Just out of curiosity : what do *you* think they are ?

The moral absolutes aren't absolute at all. I read recently a book 
entitled "Burnt alive". The author, a Jordanian woman, explains that 
20 years ago, she was burnt alive by her brother, on her parents' 
orders, because she was pregnant and unmarried. It was common 
practice, and it was dictated by honour and tradition. All the 
village knew about it, and approved of it. And when she unexpectedly 
ended up in hospital, she was left to die on her bed, without any 
treatment, because the personnel understood the situation and knew 
there was no point trying to save her : her family would only try 
and kill her again. It took a foreigner to save her, by promising to 
take her away *for ever* : that would be as good as dead for her 
family, the honour would be safe. But the most impressive thing for 
me, is that that woman doesn't condemn her family : even now, she 
understands why they did that. At the time, she even felt it was 
normal : she was just unlucky that it should happen to her.
Moral absolutes simply don't exist in our world. They never did, 
they never will. God's absolute Truth exists, yes, but most of 
humanity doesn't believe it.
The Dursleys do NOT believe in "love thy (nephew) as thy (son)", it 
is their choice, it is their right. And it is our duty to make sure 
that abuse is made illegal, and then to enforce that law.

Geoff said :

> Yes, but we are human beings, with consciences and self-awareness -
> dare I say made in the image of God - and not animals acting by 
> instinct.

Del answers :

I've read some articles on human biology that say exactly the 
opposite. Some scientists truly seem to believe that *everything* in 
human behaviour, including love and compassion, can be explained by 
either biology or social strategy.

Geoff said :

> I doubt if your new lion senses any moral comeback when he 
> removes the various offspring. The Dursleys, by the way in which 
> they treat Harry, not only abuse him but belittle themselves in 
> reducing their humanity.

Del answers :

Yes, but they don't care. They don't have any concept of "bettering" 
themselves, of living up to a moral ideal. They have a completely 
materialistic view : a good appearance, a good reputation, a holiday 
house in Majorca. They want to impress others and themselves. They 
are looking for social fulfillment, not love or emotional or 
spiritual fulfillment, and they wouldn't think of providing those 
either.


Del