In the assumption that the definition of God includes being all-powerful, I'm actually going to say no, not completely. We can not directly and completely control much of which goes on with our bodies. When we get cancer, we cannot say, "Ok, I don't want this", and then poof, it's gone. We can, however, control certain conditions regarding our bodies such as nutritional intake, location, etc.
Your example is not fully explored. First off cancer is caused by something we have done to ourselves or from something in our environment. So yes we are in control of ourselves, but our environmental conditions contribute significantly, especially with health issues, and we don't control the environment (although collectively we could improve our environment). But their are too many cancer causing things in this world to avoid all possible cancer causing agents, so I don't worry about it. Afterall ignorance is bliss, and I'm still quite ignorant when it comes to certain things I don't have enough available information about.
Again, there are things that we cannot control.
We still control our own actions.
But that is a problem in my eyes. It's as if people think morality cannot exist without a leading force such as religion or an idea of an existing God.
Not really, most people are beginning to understand that religions are just spiritual guidance for something we aren't meant to fully understand. Most religious minds I've spoken too agree that man wrote the books, not God. Most take the messages symbolically not litterally. And many people are becoming more and more interested in learning multiple religions rather then believing something litterallly. But even those that feel the need to believe in something bigger then I understand, most still know the power comes from within, they just believe God is a part of us all, so it's the God within that helps guide. You can guide yourself - we all need to lead at some point.
To me it's the same as stepping on an ant. Sometimes it's needed for our own benefit and security.
At least the ant lived. Destroying a universe of life before it becomes whole seems regretful to me, even if that universe is microscopic!
And how is abortion every needed for security or for our own benefit?
Taking responsibility for our actions to me means if you're gonna have consentual sex and the girl gets knocked up - you should start preparing for a child. If the sex is not consentual, or if medical health issues arise for the mother, I'm still okay with abortion sometimes.
Not always. There have been many wars that we in America have been involved with that included fighting countries that were actually of no threat to us. Vietnam, Kosovo, Bosnia and Korea come to mind first. We went to liberate, no take.
Are you kidding??
Liberate who? And based on what, that Democracy is perfect? - LMAO, Democracy has many flaws too!
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Do you think the people who lived in those places were happy with the way America 'Liberated'?
No Take, what about all the resources America robs 3rd world countries of everytime they go somewhere to 'Liberate'!!!
War always involves greed and/or perceived threats - ussually both.
Again, I'm not sure I agree. There are two sides of the spectrum when it comes to respect and abortions. You can respect the mothers right to choose for herself, or you can respect the fetus' right to live.
If the mother is pregnant because of consentual relations, and if their are not medical circumstances, then I'd say the mother had the right to choose when she had sex. All life has a right to live.
As for this from Earth:
Its a good thing we don't have to take your word for it. I guess its okay to lie on behalf of one's God.
Number 1, I'm not sure what I believe, when it comes to things unknown, so quoting scripture and saying I'm lying on 'Gods' behalf is kinda funny. I see scriptures as metephores, not to be taken literally but to be guidance for those that choose that path, but their are many ways and I myself am not religious, I just don't judge it the same as I use to when I use to be against it. I see it serves good purposes for some, but can be misused to control much like patriotic pride can be misused, but I still love being Canadian especially during winter olympic hockey time!
Secondly, I don't agree that we should be 'striking ourselves down' it's just pretty damn obvious thats what we do!
And Third, I do think we all have to take responsibilitiy for our own actions, so if we don't take responsibility while we are here, then yeah sure there could be something I don't understand that makes us take responsibility for our actions, but as long as I respect all life and my love comes unconditionally without judgement, I am not worried about facing anything in my afterlife - not even a 'vengful God' can scare me, I am worry free, and I try to live as best I can, so their is nothing to worry about.
