Author Archives: BigBill

About BigBill

Stats: Married male boomer. Hobbies: Hiking, woodworking, reading, philosophy, good conversation.

Why even ask the question?

Posted on May 2, 2012 by BigBill

Amid all these thoughts about where morality comes from, it strikes me that I haven’t written anything about why I think it even matters. As long as we have a sense of right and wrong, it keeps us out of … Continue reading →

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The source of morality (part 4)

Posted on April 16, 2012 by BigBill

OK, let’s take another run at this. Do we get our morality from God, and then corrupt it because of our inherent imperfection? In earlier posts I argued that morality doesn’t come from religion or God. I reasoned that if … Continue reading →

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What do we take for granted?

Posted on December 31, 2011 by BigBill

As I write this, it’s the tail end of 2011. I know it’s an arbitrary point in the earth’s annual journey around the sun, but even if only for a little while, it’s as good a time as any to … Continue reading →

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Christian fundamentalism and US politics

Posted on December 29, 2011 by BigBill

I have a question that’s been bumping around in my head for a while. Over the past 20 years or so, there’s been a resurgence of support for fundamentalist Christian theology in the United States, especially in politics. I believe … Continue reading →

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The source of morality (part 3)

Posted on December 4, 2011 by BigBill

OK, Morality: Part Three. So we all have a sense of right and wrong. Or most of us anyway, and those who lack that sense are considered abnormal (sociopaths, or at the farthest end of that aberration, psychopaths). In any … Continue reading →

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Family, traditions and giving thanks

Posted on November 27, 2011 by BigBill

It’s Thanksgiving week. Growing up, we didn’t celebrate holidays (being good Witnesses and all). I didn’t feel like I missed anything; I understood the reasons we didn’t participate in Christmas, Easter, Halloween or the July 4th festivities; they were either … Continue reading →

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The source of morality (Part 2)

Posted on November 22, 2011 by BigBill

I said in an earlier post (The Source of Morality, Part 1) that I don’t think morality comes from religion. Or more specifically, it’s possible to be a highly moral person without religion. So if I’m saying that religion isn’t … Continue reading →

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Nearly ready to start woodworking again. Yay!

Posted on September 18, 2011 by BigBill

I build stuff. It sometimes takes several attempts (and band aids) to get it right but it relaxes me and I love the feeling of accomplishment when the coffee table, bookcase, or whatever is done and I can put it … Continue reading →

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The Man burns in 362 days.

Posted on September 6, 2011 by BigBill

Apparently hippies are still around; they’ve just moved from Haight Ashbury to the desert near Reno. I’m not sure where I first heard of it, but The Burning Man bubbled up to my awareness this weekend; most likely because I … Continue reading →

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More about friendship: intervening or meddling?

Posted on September 6, 2011 by BigBill

Does real friendship include intervening when your friend is doing something that might be destructive or harmful to them? For example, does a true friend have the responsibility to take action to stop you from doing something they think is … Continue reading →

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