I'm Starting To Like This Trump Fellow

Derf

Well-known member
Well I judge it as disgustingly racist but I'm willing to accept that there is a range of degrees of racism (or not) on TOL. Some might say it's not racist, some might say it's racist but within allowable limits, some might say it's racist but probably questionable whether they'd bring it up around the dinner table, some might say it's disgustingly racist.
When considering racism, do we think of our own family as better than others'? Do i honor my father when i tell another that mine could beat up his? Isn't that a lower degree of racism? Isn't it racist to think that my country should win all the battles it fights against other countries? I just don't see the benefit in labelling everything racism, as if that somehow wins the argument.It seems like we either need a more standard definition or we should stop using the word altogether for a generation or two.
 

commonsense

Active member
Then it is only racist to those who already think it's racist. Hardly a usable standard.
OK I find myself in agreement with you. Those who think it's racist will find it racist. Those who erroneously don't think it's racist will find it's not racist.
 
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commonsense

Active member
When considering racism, do we think of our own family as better than others'? Do i honor my father when i tell another that mine could beat up his? Isn't that a lower degree of racism? Isn't it racist to think that my country should win all the battles it fights against other countries? I just don't see the benefit in labelling everything racism, as if that somehow wins the argument.It seems like we either need a more standard definition or we should stop using the word altogether for a generation or two.
Surprisingly enough there is a definition for the word racism, as for many other words. Racism is a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. That's from Miriam-Webster.
TBH, I believe that all of us, deep inside somewhere, harbour instincts of racism, to a greater or lesser degree. After hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, this could be expected due to natural selection. Trusting the safety of your own tribe, fearing or hating outsiders who pose a risk to safety. Makes perfect sense. But nowadays, we need to overcome such base instincts, knowing that all men are created equal. We need to learn to love our neighbour.
 

Derf

Well-known member
Surprisingly enough there is a definition for the word racism, as for many other words. Racism is a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. That's from Miriam-Webster.
Is it wrong to support your own family over others, whether you think your family is superior to others or not?
TBH, I believe that all of us, deep inside somewhere, harbour instincts of racism, to a greater or lesser degree. After hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, this could be expected due to natural selection.
I don't really see why it would take hundreds of thousands of years to figure this out.
Trusting the safety of your own tribe, fearing or hating outsiders who pose a risk to safety. Makes perfect sense. But nowadays, we need to overcome such base instincts, knowing that all men are created equal. We need to learn to love our neighbour.
Knowing that all men are equally capable of heinous sins, is it wrong to trust relatives over non-relatives?
 

commonsense

Active member
Is it wrong to support your own family over others, whether you think your family is superior to others or not?
Of course not. It's perfectly normal and acceptable to support and help your family as you can. That's not the same as discriminating against an entire group because they're a different colour. Can you see that?
I don't really see why it would take hundreds of thousands of years to figure this out.
That's not at all what I said. It's not something to be figured out. My thought is that it is an inborn condition that we are all afflicted with to one extent or another due to eons of evolutionary selection.
Knowing that all men are equally capable of heinous sins, is it wrong to trust relatives over non-relatives?
I was going to say 'no' but after considering your query I don't know. If all men are equally capable of heinous sins, that would mean your relatives are just as capable as non-relatives of committing heinous sins. Personally I wouldn't trust them. Keep your relatives away from me please.
 

Derf

Well-known member
Of course not. It's perfectly normal and acceptable to support and help your family as you can. That's not the same as discriminating against an entire group because they're a different colour. Can you see that?
Not really. Groups of people are different colors because of their DNA. Their DNA is inherited from their ancestors, which are their family. Thus, if we support and help family over non-family, and it is morally acceptable, then it is morally acceptable to support and help someone who looks like us more than someone who doesn't. And our looks are more similar when we have more similar DNA.
That's not at all what I said. It's not something to be figured out. My thought is that it is an inborn condition that we are all afflicted with to one extent or another due to eons of evolutionary selection.
If it is inborn to be racist, why is it a problem? Are you sure you aren't arguing against yourself here?
I was going to say 'no' but after considering your query I don't know. If all men are equally capable of heinous sins, that would mean your relatives are just as capable as non-relatives of committing heinous sins. Personally I wouldn't trust them. Keep your relatives away from me please.
I didn't say all men are equally capable of all heinous sins. The familial connection would limit the heinousness that one might be willing to partake of with those that are family. And don't worry, I have no wish to inflict you on my relatives. Is that racist? Seems like it is, and it seems like you approve.
 

Right Divider

Body part
There is one race, the human race.

Act 17:26 (KJV) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;​
 

commonsense

Active member
Not really. Groups of people are different colors because of their DNA. Their DNA is inherited from their ancestors, which are their family. Thus, if we support and help family over non-family, and it is morally acceptable, then it is morally acceptable to support and help someone who looks like us more than someone who doesn't. And our looks are more similar when we have more similar DNA.
I guess I never really thought of it in that manner.
If it is inborn to be racist, why is it a problem? Are you sure you aren't arguing against yourself here?
Pay attention. It's a remnant of a time that no longer exists. It's vestigial like your appendix. Whatever good it used to be, it's of no use now and a source of problems.
I didn't say all men are equally capable of all heinous sins. The familial connection would limit the heinousness that one might be willing to partake of with those that are family. And don't worry, I have no wish to inflict you on my relatives. Is that racist? Seems like it is, and it seems like you approve.
"Knowing that all men are equally capable of heinous sins, is it wrong to trust relatives over non-relatives?"
 
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