Conflict, imposition, and morality

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 140514

Sandy:

> There is no obligation for anyone to even respect the majority's
> morality, IMO. There are only various consequences if they don't. --:
> "The One Right Moral Code" changes from country to country and
> believer to believer. There is no absolute code, even in any scripture
> on the planet, IMO (because all the ones I know anything about have
> self-contradictions within).

Finwitch:

I agree with you - I am an agnostic - which means I believe that a 
Deity does not fit into human understanding and therefore we cannot 
know anything about that Deity-- including whatever that Deity's moral 
code is.

and of morals, yes. There is no universal code. It all depends on 
situation.

And while society has the right to pass on consecuences (punishments) 
on things that are against the rules of the society (it must, in order 
to exist as one) - moral code goes beyond that. That's what martyrs do: 
defy authority and take the society's penalty. Whether that martyr be 
Socrates or Mahatma Gandhi or some sort of Leader of a Religious order. 
I'd even say that Harry with his cut-up hand was a martyr...

And I do still hold that Dumbledore's trust in Snape was a moral 
choice. I'd remind you of the Weasley clock in HBP: Every hand was 
in "Mortal Peril" just because Voldemort was back... 

I think Dumbledore's trust was way better choice than Scrimgeour 
putting Stan Stunpike in Azkaban (or Crouch doing same to Sirius. At 
least poor Stan doesn't have to suffer Dementors).

And just one thing: Making a moral choice, choosing Right over Easy - I 
wish people would stop referring to that sort of thing as foolishness. 
Look at Harry's choices: Harry and Cedric deciding to share the cup? 
Harry deciding to save all the hostages in the lake? Or what do you 
think of Harry telling Cedric about the Dragons? People don't usually 
tip off the persons about the competition they're rivals in, you 
know... Or about Cedric demanding a rematch after Harry fell off his 
broom under Dementor-influence? ;-)

Most of all, Albus Dumbledore. Look at where his goodness took him: He 
chuckled and hummed most of the time - look at his funeral, how Widely 
respected and even loved he was - Centaurs and Merpeople showing up for 
the ceremony... how utterly *peaceful* he was at his death--- A result 
of leading a good life, I think. We all die, but how many are as happy 
in life and so much at peace with their death as Albus Dumbledore?

Finwitch