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Ranking Ethics (Read 24635 times)
Sappho
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #75 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 5:05pm
 
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 4:20pm:
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 4:11pm:
In the past yes, and I have acted courageously... but not now. I see no point to it. That doesn't mean to say that i won't find myself as the accidental hero having acted courageously to save another from a burning house or from drowning ect... but that's not really what you are talking about.

You sound world-weary.


Must be all the travel of late. Heading off for some more after the new year. But no... not world weary... just disillusioned... seriously disillusioned and a little angry at myself for being so naive.

It's already changed my attitude to work. When I return, rather than do the hard yards which has served me and my staff extremely well... I'm going to play the show pony, more so than ever before and delegate the hard yards to others, which serves me even better. And if it's a half job that's done... who cares (who cares about the welfare customers or the tax payers that cop the bill)... heaps of leaders get praised and raised for their half jobs.

Disturbingly, I am actually looking forward to it. All gloss and floss without the hard work and a juicy pay packet as a reward. I worked too hard before I went on long service leave and leave without pay and cared too much. It'll be nice to have more fun for a change.
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NorthOfNorth
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #76 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:37pm
 
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 5:05pm:
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 4:20pm:
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 4:11pm:
In the past yes, and I have acted courageously... but not now. I see no point to it. That doesn't mean to say that i won't find myself as the accidental hero having acted courageously to save another from a burning house or from drowning ect... but that's not really what you are talking about.

You sound world-weary.


Must be all the travel of late. Heading off for some more after the new year. But no... not world weary... just disillusioned... seriously disillusioned and a little angry at myself for being so naive.

It's already changed my attitude to work. When I return, rather than do the hard yards which has served me and my staff extremely well... I'm going to play the show pony, more so than ever before and delegate the hard yards to others, which serves me even better. And if it's a half job that's done... who cares (who cares about the welfare customers or the tax payers that cop the bill)... heaps of leaders get praised and raised for their half jobs.

Disturbingly, I am actually looking forward to it. All gloss and floss without the hard work and a juicy pay packet as a reward. I worked too hard before I went on long service leave and leave without pay and cared too much. It'll be nice to have more fun for a change.

Yeah, know the feeling.

How does it go? "I'm tired of virtue and truth... Now I'm seeking self-gratification and comfortable lies" !!
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Sappho
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #77 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:48pm
 
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:37pm:
Yeah, know the feeling.

How does it go? "I'm tired of virtue and truth... Now I'm seeking self-gratification and comfortable lies" !!


So, in summary then, ethics depends on intention, consequence but most importantly on the pursuit of same. If those who make history do not pursue ethics and are found to merely give lip service to intention and consequence, then ethical imperatives implode fatally wounding the civilization in which that happens.

People stop caring. 
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NorthOfNorth
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #78 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:54pm
 
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:48pm:
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:37pm:
Yeah, know the feeling.

How does it go? "I'm tired of virtue and truth... Now I'm seeking self-gratification and comfortable lies" !!


So, in summary then, ethics depends on intention, consequence but most importantly on the pursuit of same. If those who make history do not pursue ethics and are found to merely give lip service to intention and consequence, then ethical imperatives implode fatally wounding the civilization in which that happens.

People stop caring.  

Yeah but take a look at Martin Luther King... The world would have been a worse place had he never existed, yet he was no paragon of fidelity.

Quote:
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)

Walt Whitman
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Sappho
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #79 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 7:06pm
 
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:54pm:
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:48pm:
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:37pm:
Yeah, know the feeling.

How does it go? "I'm tired of virtue and truth... Now I'm seeking self-gratification and comfortable lies" !!


So, in summary then, ethics depends on intention, consequence but most importantly on the pursuit of same. If those who make history do not pursue ethics and are found to merely give lip service to intention and consequence, then ethical imperatives implode fatally wounding the civilization in which that happens.

People stop caring.  

Yeah but take a look at Martin Luther King... The world would have been a worse place had he never existed, yet he was no paragon of fidelity.


Meh... The lowest form of existence for a human in this world is to be female and black. That was true then and that is still true now.

I also note that the bulk of the American gaol population is black.

I also not that apartheid is still operating in America even tho it is illegal.

The only thing MLK improved was the opportunities for high yella blacks. The rest have to work twice as hard than whites to achieve the same... in the main.  
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NorthOfNorth
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #80 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 7:30pm
 
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 7:06pm:
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:54pm:
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:48pm:
NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:37pm:
Yeah, know the feeling.

How does it go? "I'm tired of virtue and truth... Now I'm seeking self-gratification and comfortable lies" !!


So, in summary then, ethics depends on intention, consequence but most importantly on the pursuit of same. If those who make history do not pursue ethics and are found to merely give lip service to intention and consequence, then ethical imperatives implode fatally wounding the civilization in which that happens.

People stop caring.  

Yeah but take a look at Martin Luther King... The world would have been a worse place had he never existed, yet he was no paragon of fidelity.


Meh... The lowest form of existence for a human in this world is to be female and black. That was true then and that is still true now.

I also note that the bulk of the American gaol population is black.

I also not that apartheid is still operating in America even tho it is illegal.

The only thing MLK improved was the opportunities for high yella blacks. The rest have to work twice as hard than whites to achieve the same... in the main.  

But they can crap in an integrated shitter.

Joe Bageant's account of underclass white America reveals alot about the spiteful society America can be without regard to colour.
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muso
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #81 - Dec 30th, 2010 at 8:17pm
 
Yadda wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 10:51am:
muso wrote on Dec 29th, 2010 at 9:32pm:
Speaking frankly, you seem to have an obsession with Muslims. A lot of Christians seem to fall into that trap.


muso,

You seem to be correct.     Wink

But, imo my interest in ISLAM [in commenting on ISLAM, and the actions of those who claim to be good moslems], has more to do with the nature of ISLAM, and its 'aspirations' towards people like myself, than to do with me, on a personality level.
But your opinion may differ.

Yadda, the obsessive



Well I have lived and worked in countries where Islam is the main religion, so I have a different opinion.  

What annoys me, although not as much as violence and intolerance,  is hypocrisy, which amounts to not practicing what one preaches, and we see a lot of that in some Muslims and Christians alike. The fundamentalists of both are generally the worst in that respect.

I congratulate you in your humility though. You can see your own faults, so you're not a bad bloke.
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Yadda
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #82 - Dec 31st, 2010 at 7:52am
 
Sappho wrote on Dec 30th, 2010 at 6:48pm:
So, in summary then, ethics depends on intention, consequence but most importantly on the pursuit of same. If those who make history do not pursue ethics and are found to merely give lip service to intention and consequence, then ethical imperatives implode fatally wounding the civilization in which that happens.





That's good Sappho.
I think you nailed it!

Goodness is its own reward.
...and vice versa.



And the corollary;

"Be good, for goodness sake." <--- once a very common saying in the English speaking world.
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« Last Edit: Dec 31st, 2010 at 7:58am by Yadda »  

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
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Lisa Jones
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #83 - Jan 1st, 2011 at 8:18am
 
"Be good, for goodness sake." <--- once a very common saying in the English speaking world.


It still is .. because the phrase is entrenched in some famous song lyrics.

Does this song ring a (Christmas) bell or two ?


You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He see you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
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If I let myself be bought then I am no longer free.

HYPATIA - Greek philosopher, mathematician and astronomer (370 - 415)
 
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Yadda
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #84 - Jan 3rd, 2011 at 11:04am
 
Lisa Jones wrote on Jan 1st, 2011 at 8:18am:
"Be good, for goodness sake." <--- once a very common saying in the English speaking world.


It still is .. because the phrase is entrenched in some famous song lyrics.

Does this song ring a (Christmas) bell or two ?


You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He see you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!





Quote:
.
"Be good, for goodness sake."





Yes, of course.

But do men give the sentiment expressed in those words any weight, or credence, today?
Does the sentiment expressed in those words have any value for us?
Does the sentiment expressed, have the same gravitas for us [adults] who [imagine that we] 'comprehend' this world, as does the importance of the character of Santa Claus, to little children?

Or have we [mankind] all become too jaded and cynical [to be able to see what is real] ?

Today we would count ourselves as adults.
Once, when we first entered this world, we were innocent children.
It was a time, when we were still able to believe in many things, that we were unable to see with our eyes.
Today, many of us still cannot see [what is real], but we have also stopped believing [in what is real].



Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.


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"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
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Postmodern Trendoid III
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #85 - Jan 24th, 2011 at 10:19am
 
Soren wrote on Dec 23rd, 2010 at 3:53pm:
Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Dec 22nd, 2010 at 1:51pm:
Soren wrote on Dec 22nd, 2010 at 11:09am:
the position on the courage-cowardice scale may be taken into consideration when ranking behaviour but in itself it is not sufficient.

The ranking of ethics is always done - whether one knows it or not - according to the power of its redemptive force. This is not exclusive to religious ethics, by any means, even if 'redemption' has a strong association with some religions. The concept of redeeming is the foundation concept of any coherent ethics.

'WHat is redemptive?' is, of course, the start of any ethical discussion.  Is courage or cowardice? In themselves - neither.




I am not sure why redemption should be the first principle of ethics. Perhaps you could expand?




To act ethically in any given human encounter is to act under a universal principle that one takes to be applicable to the kind of situation in which one acts.

To what end? So that all humanity can live in peace. Peace on earth - redemption.

Hope accompanies ethics. Hope is always for redemption, for peace, for fulfilled equilibrium.



Universal peace may be a noble goal, but it's not realistic.
Also, there seems to be emphasis on consequences here to a great extent. That being so, the act is determined from without, not from within. If consequences become the main determinate, then the act in question is imposed on someone, thus robbing him of his individual potential. On the other hand, ethics based on intentions of strength and courage cultivate the individual's character whereby he doesn't become a slave to someone else's morals.
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Postmodern Trendoid III
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #86 - Jan 24th, 2011 at 10:33am
 
muso wrote on Dec 23rd, 2010 at 7:39pm:
Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Dec 21st, 2010 at 5:58pm:
High ranking ethical behaviour is solely aligned with motivations and symptoms of courage, strength, determination, and independence. The consequences of such behaviour is irrelevant, only the intent matters.



Independence is not exclusively aligned with an ethical behaviour. In fact independence can be seen as going against the flow or the order of things, and in some cases it can disrupt the status quo.

You mention the word lazy. It's a vague concept. In some cases it is better to do nothing than do something, because doing nothing results in the lowest achievable risk.  (can ethics be defined in terms of risk?)



I prefer to think in terms of risk to society and to oneself.  In some cases it's clear cut, but in other cases, doing what you intent to be good can end up doing a considerable amount of harm to others.  For that reason, no action can be defined as more ethical than another. It depends on the observer.  

This is where Western philosophy is totally at odds with Eastern philosophy. Taoists propose that the universe works harmoniously according to its own ways. When someone exerts their will against the world, they disrupt that harmony. Taoism does not identify one's will or independence as the root problem. Instead, it asserts that one must place ones will in harmony with the natural universe.

If you think about all examples of grossly unethical behaviour, it usually comes down to a misguided individual who thinks he is doing something beneficial for humanity by sticking to his rigid principles of courage, strength, determination, and independence. In most cases, he is severely disrupting the natural order of things - rocking the boat if you will.  Of course, if the boat is already rocking, rocking it in the opposite direction may help.

Intent is irrelevant. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

So I'm going to disagree with you  Wink

Allow me to substitute - the optimum application of accurate contextual knowledge. Let's throw out independence and go for a broadly consultative approach that minimises harm to all involved.

The key is knowledge - and mutual understanding/ agreement.

Quote:
To act ethically in any given human encounter is to act under a universal principle that one takes to be applicable to the kind of situation in which one acts.


I agree. We need to adapt to the circumstances. To go with the natural flow of things rather than continually being disruptive.


I am not sure about the whole "universal harmony" thing. I don't think it can be proven empirically in any way, and seems to be a Weltanschauung for those who want to "feelgood" about the world despite its flaws.


Also, you're placing a lot of emphasis on consequences. As I stated above, if consequences become the focal point of ethics then morality is imposed from without. And the question arises, who created the morality that everyone should abide by and why? Blanket moralities stun individual potential; making them a mere carbon copy of the maker of the morality imposed on them. Ethics based on individual intentions of strength, courage etc. cultivates the individual's talent. Take highly competitive individuals in sport or music, for example. They cultivate their own talents because they want to master themselves. There's no "care for the other" here. In actual fact, there's a desire to dominate other sportsmen or musicians.
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Postmodern Trendoid III
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #87 - Jan 24th, 2011 at 10:39am
 
Yadda wrote on Dec 24th, 2010 at 12:57pm:
Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Dec 21st, 2010 at 5:58pm:
In an age that has no solid point of departure for ethics or morals, but cries out for some foundation or criteria on which to judge behaviour, I deem this an experiment worthy of consideration.




Surely the basis for 'Ranking Ethics' must be based in the 'real world'.
And be based on, effectively, some form of real world 'feed back loop', which would enable an 'observer', to measure the [actual] consequences of [human] actions?
And which also have a bearing on the motives for particular human actions, choices ?


[religious aspect deleted]

I know that i have introduced a 'religious' aspect to this discussion.
And if some of you see that as a diversion, i'm sorry.

But i am interested in meditating upon what we would term, human motives, and human ethics.





Okay, but what measuring stick would you use for consequences?
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #88 - Jan 24th, 2011 at 10:56am
 
Yadda wrote on Dec 25th, 2010 at 10:49pm:
muso wrote on Dec 24th, 2010 at 3:48pm:
Thanks Yadda,

That's an excellent example of corrupted ethical values.  It takes the view that people are either wheat or tares - good or evil.  It's a nice simplistic primitive view of the world that in no way reflects the state of things.  Absolutely no room for tolerance or understanding.

That's exactly the kind of thinking that starts wars.



That is your opinion.

+++
IMO, there is probably nothing more unethical in the world today, than the 'humanist' worldview, and those who promote so called liberal 'ethics'.

IMO, this generation of mankind has lost the ability to discern between good and evil.

The Judeao-Christian standards and morality, that guided our present culture in its formative period, has been almost entirely abandoned.
Why is that?

Just take a moment, and look at the total moral mess the Western world is in today.
IMO, this is the consequence largely, of the influence of 'academics' and godless social 'theorists'!
IMO, almost all of the 'humanist', and social engineering type areas of academia, are clearly, divorced from reality.
They are living in a la-la-land, and are unethically ignoring the consequences of their own mistaken social experiments.
They are engrossed in a politically correct idiocy, which is a denial of the real world consequences of their own moral 'inadequacy'.
i.e.
These people who promote 'humanist values' are totally, morally corrupt, and they seem to exhibit a hatred for truth.
And why?
Because the truth confronts and exposes the error of their claptrap [<--- that's a technical term] social theories.

Humanist, and liberal ethics seem embrace an idea, and want to teach us, that man is naturally good.

Today, our children are taught that it is wrong to try to 'discriminate' between good and evil, and to reject what is evil.
Today, they and we, are taught that, essentially, good and evil do not exist.
And we are taught that all people are equally like us.
Today, those who abandon standards, and moral discernment are said to be 'tolerant'.
And we are taught that to differentiate the merits of different cultures, is wrong, and 'racist'.

IMO, refusing to condemn the wicked, so as to 'avoid conflict', and so as to promote 'social harmony', is not an ethical position.
It is idiocy.


IMO, 'humanism', teaches mankind, to abandon all spiritual discernment.
IMO, such a position, teaches mankind, to embrace an empty, worldly, 'humanist' 'value' system, a 'religion', a political system, which uses the authority of a false 'righteousness', to rule over a 'blind', worldly directed mankind, imo.

'Humanism' spiritually guts us, imo.

We are taught, to abandon all spiritual discernment, and instead, embrace an 'empty', worldly 'value' system.
And 'humanism' often seeks to puff up our self pride, but leaves us without any discernment, and without a moral compass and without any spiritual hope.
We are spiritually, dumbed down by 'humanist' values.
And it is intentional 'end game', imo.


+++

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them."
Karl Popper

"Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil."
Thomas Mann


+++

Above i said;

"And we are taught that all people are equally like us."

That is not a 'racist' statement.
It is simply a determination, that i have come to, that some people make very poor choices in life.
And some people make much better 'ethical' choices in life.
That is all.




Ethics and morals are all subjective and only become "objective" when people feel that "they are in the right".

Viewing ethics and morality as subjective is merely pure honesty. The metaphysical foundations of ethics and morality have been swept away; this is a consequence of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment wants us to seek truth, and the truth is ethics and morality is subjective; merely a projection of the individual onto the world of what he believes to be right.
To paraphrase the brilliant thinker Nietzsche, how was the faith in morality undermined? By morality! Under the Christian ethic it is moral to seek truth, is it not? Then isn't it moral to accept ethics and morality is subjective?
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Yadda
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Re: Ranking Ethics
Reply #89 - Jan 24th, 2011 at 12:33pm
 
Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Jan 24th, 2011 at 10:33am:
.
Also, you're placing a lot of emphasis on consequences. As I stated above, if consequences become the focal point of ethics then morality is imposed from without. And the question arises, who created the morality that everyone should abide by and why?




In my mind, you appear to be intentionally, trying to confuse, the ['instrument'] 'consequences', with something esle, externally imposed moral constraints.
IMO, two entirely different things.

e.g.
If a child touches a hot wood stove, the child will likely burn its fingers!
And those, are 'consequences'!!

And the child, in future [if it has any sense!], will know, to abate its 'care-less' conduct when in the proximity of a hot wood stove.

As the child, in future [if it has any sense], will  'perceive' the potential consequences, of touching a hot wood stove!



I believe that perceiving the real and potential consequences of our actions, must always be a good guide to our moral behaviour.






Quote:
.
Blanket moralities stun individual potential; making them a mere carbon copy of the maker of the morality imposed on them. Ethics based on individual intentions of strength, courage etc. cultivates the individual's talent. Take highly competitive individuals in sport or music, for example. They cultivate their own talents because they want to master themselves. There's no "care for the other" here. In actual fact, there's a desire to dominate other sportsmen or musicians.



That is a false argument, imo.

i.e.
I would have thought that in this age, that highly competitive individuals, e.g. in sport or music, 'cultivate their talents' because they are seeking rewards [i.e. 'consequences', and $$$$$$$$$] ???

And that the true motivation, which is driving these individuals to excel above others, is not, because they want to 'master themselves', but rather to demonstrate to all others, that they ARE 'masters' [in their own field of expertise].

That, is a 'moral 'ethic' based on self-interest [i.e. base selfishness].



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« Last Edit: Jan 24th, 2011 at 12:45pm by Yadda »  

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
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