I knew it would be too profound for someone like you to grasp pontificator.

So ethics is a 'he' aye? I think ethics would like sport.

bout
Noun
1.
a. a period of time spent doing something, such as drinking (lucky sod)
b. a period of illness: a bad bout of flu
2. a boxing, wrestling or fencing match [obsolete bought turn]

I don't think Steven was talking bout.

about/'bout perhaps.

'Cross seam cut backs from outside off aimed for the ribs and throats of opposition schools on volatile WA turf pitches with a new ball was also considered good sport by some.'

In sport, as in life, aggression has it's place. That's a perfectly valid tactic to stop a batsman lunging onto the front foot. The art of manoeuvring a batsman around the crease, and the courage of a batsman in the face of the intimidation of a ball flying near his (these days very well protected) body are also part of life.

Oh how the cerebral deplore the physical challenges and instinct in life. I think some of you need to watch that Northern Exposure episode about the fist fight that the Chris character philosophises over for days, then enjoys the sheer cathartic rawness of the physical contest between men.

Oh don't be fooled by the neanderthals like pontificator, Cricket has much to offer in the way of philosophy and ethics, self knowledge, and dare I say it, eroticism!

That's not even to mention the opportunity for men to escape the wife for an afternoon in the sun. I'm sure nail salons serve a similar purpose for women. I think that shows up the differences in the sexes quite nicely. Now I'd like to hear about the philosophy of nail salons, but I'd be doubtful if it was an all encompassing cognitive metaphor of life that you get on a cricket field.

rstuart you write

'take the rule of thumb "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" Interesting the only one you come up with comes straight from the bible. Teaching this is one thing but helping people to see that they have no hope of achieving it with their adamic nature is another.

you also write

'But because they are incomplete we don't end up in fights over cows being sacred, serving fish on Fridays or whether you should play football on Good Friday.'

I could not agree more. Friday fish, Friday football have about as much benefit as earth hour or the celebration of Darwins fantasy.

Suzionline you write

'Runner, what ethical guidelines do you think were used before the supposed arrival on earth by the Creator's son, who apparently is the only one able to give us sinners any ethical values?'

All men lived in darkness before the Light came. It was only God's long suffering and mercy that prevented man receiving his just deserts for his wickedness. Israel obviously had the 10 commandments but were incapable of keeping them like you and me today. The laws of the Jews were but a poor shadow of the law of liberty and love found only in Christ Jesus.

You write 'But then again, many people like you completely ignore any other source of ethical or moral human values that do not believe in exactly the same things as you do!'

The fact is humans can't live up to their own values let alone God's. From priests, to sports stars, to teachers, to artist we see how hopelessly flawed humanity is. Christ Jesus Himself was the only exception. I notice you don't mention any of these so called sources of ethical human values. Having trouble finding a few are we?

Too right runner!

Jesus was way cool
Everybody liked Jesus
Everybody wanted to hang out with him
Anything he wanted to do, he did
He turned water into wine
And if he wanted to
He could have turned wheat into marijuana
Or sugar into cocaine
Or vitamin pills into amphetamines

He walked on the water
And swam on the land
He would tell these stories
And people would listen
He was really cool

http://www.asklyrics.com/display/king-missile/jesus-was-way-cool-lyrics.htm

Actually something I missed in my post on cricket was the spirituality of cricket. Alone with one's thoughts in the outfield, with the view of the country side, the contrast of the whites and the green grass, the sound of the birds and the leather on willow.

I'd say cricket is just as valid as any one of the worlds religions. It has stories, and myth, and ETHICS, and morals, and a unique philosophy and way of seeing the world.

Talking to an older leg spinner the other day about my brother who is also a leg spinner but considering giving up for medium pace, he said to me 'Oh, I'd advise him to reconsider. Leg spin is a life long journey you know.'. My brother was heartened, and even though they didn't know each other, they were 'connected', by their bowling style and approach to cricket.

The various tactics and styles in cricket are a metaphor for how we go about life. The timid can miss out, and the fortune often favours the brave. Arrogance at the crease can intimidate, but can also be punished and put in it's place. The steady accumulator can get as much runs as the flashy stroke maker. The wiley spinner and the conservative seamer and the raw pace bowler all have their place. All the characters of life are there, everything seamlessly fitting together.

The umpire's decision is always correct, even when he's wrong, he's right!

Ethics have always been human constructs, religion just provided the medium to deliver the message.

Houlley
Someone with your obvious intellect and incisive analysis (albeit cynical) on all things cannot see the philosophical relevance of nail salons. Shocked I am. That is where you go to learn the bend and snap.

Would those who think that religion should be taught “comparatively“ provided it is not taught by religious practitioners, would also think that e.g. children should be taught the rules of football and soccer “comparatively”, provided it is not done by those who have actually played football or soccer themselves?

Do you think one could teach children “linguistics“ without oneself speaking any language (which the children either understand or are being taught to understand)? Do you think children would e.g. understand the difference between a noun, adjective, verb, without reference to a particular language they all speak or are learning to speak?

“Any attempt to speak without speaking any particular language is not more hopeless than the attempt to have a religion that is no religion in particular.” (George Santayana).

Perhaps the same about explaining religion (or differences between particular religions) without starting from an a priori world-view - be it Catholic, Muslim, naturalist, secular humanist or what you have - that is made explicit from the beginning. Or after having been asked by the children “Teacher, what do YOU believe?” which they certainly will. Is “I have no opinion (belief)“ a satisfying answer for a young child?

Pelican,
Religion is ONE of the ways it is delivered. Many of the philosopher/ethicist were not religious.
LOGIC is neutral.
Even if the nail salon is sexist. :-)

H
You can give it but you can't spot it can you? ....sucked you in