Re: Introducing Compassion and Kindness

A major tenent of the enlightenment was that man was essentially good. Since the 17th century, man has proven otherwise, it would seem. Is it possible to have compassion without having a spiritual or religious center? Sure. I know several people who are not religious and who, in the past several days as a matter of fact, have shown their complassion towards myself and my family personally.

But remember that we are in a group. And as far as groups go, they tend to not be so compassionate. Groups even require laws so that one doesn’t infringe on the others rights, and even then, people do so and break the law.

If the US were compassionate, we wouldn’t have troops in Iraq, they would be in Darfur instead. I wish I could believe that people, left to their own devices and without some guidance could be complassionate. But history has taught us otherwise.

I would suggest at least some sort of higher good at which to strive for. Maybe a set of traditions which the group could view as suggestions to follow.

Just some thoughts