I hope the 'panel' isn't costing us too much; just another quango for a wealthy, retired politician and a bunch of anonymous snouts-in-troughs. It will just be another report to shelve and forget about. I just hope that they can spell 'ageing', and don't sneer at religion because it's “ancient”. And, what the hell is 'disturbing' about a culture having a “ a high measure of belief in some form of deity”?

This person needs to get out more. His understanding and intelligence are very limited.

Ian - could you please define what makes a particular action morally "right" in your understanding?

These atheist are certainly irrational. They have the audacity to speak in absolutes while denying the existence of them. This author seems to be an irrational thinker from the something from nothing brigade.

//They have the audacity to speak in absolutes while denying the existence of them.//

Atheists don't disbelieve in absolutes, runner.

In reply to JP's question about what action I consider to be morally right, I believe that it revolves around treating another in the same way that I would like to be. To live is to act, and our actions can have either harmful or beneficial consequences for ourselves and others. Buddhist ethics is concerned with the principles and practices that help one to act in ways that help rather than harm. These practices are guided by precepts. These are not rules or commandments, but principles of training, which are undertaken freely and put into practice with intelligence and sensitivity. There are a number of precepts which apply to a wide range of actions, the most observed ones being the advice not to kill, not to steal, not to engage in improper sexual conduct , not to make false statements, and not to consume intoxicants. There is the matter of what is moral when related to activities. I consider that an action’s being moral relates to the principles of correct conduct, or the distinction between right and wrong. I hope that this reply helps an appreciation that the results of all thoughts, speech, and actions are shaped by the codes of rightful behaviour proclaimed by many religions which could include Christianity’s ‘Golden Rule’ of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you’ Regards, Ian

Thank-you for replying Ian.

In your article you say that each of us has a personal responsibility to decide for ourselves what is ethical and moral. If that is so, what do you say to any one, let’s say another atheist, who has a different opinion to you as to what is the right or wrong thing to do in a particular instance? If everyone just has to decide for themselves then it seems that their opinion is just as “right” as yours even though it may advocate the opposite course of action.

For example, someone may decide that, for some reason, that it would be right for them to end your life. Would you accept that or would you say that they are wrong and shouldn’t kill you? Who is “right”, the other person or you? Why would that be so?

You identify as a Buddhist and so I expect you seek to follow the Buddhist precepts. But these precepts have just been made up by other people in the past, given that there are no deities. Why do you follow the ideas of these people? - especially as you say that everyone has the responsibility to make up our own moral beliefs. Do you think the Buddhist morals are somehow “right”? But what makes them any more “right” than someone else who advocates the complete opposite?