I am sorry about the bestiality example as it is a decidedly repugnant topic, I was a little hard pressed to think of other examples of moral codes that transcend cultures that do not involve human to human actions.
Your refutation of my argument that these examples cause human suffering because they would cause suffering to the human committing the action makes the argument unworkable. A human would have to be the causation or we would not be discussing human morals.
A side note: I do not think you are an utterly depraved pervert, I think you have a sound mind and a good heart. Your conversion is definitely on my prayer list as I think these characteristics in you, coupled with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ would be a formidable force of light in a dark world
. May I also ask, do you identify with a religion?
I certainly don't think I identify with one particular religion, but it depends on your definition of what constitutes a singular and separate 'religion'. Encapsulated within many religions are particular characteristics which seem, to me, to point to a universal code of human moral conduct at least, with of course varied applications and different professed sources, but in my experience the names of any sources are secondary to the character of that source itself, which obviously, I consider to be at its core a benevolence in the vast majority of faiths. Within religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and in the words of Jesus of Nazareth, there are common facets. If I were to identify with any teachings 'most', it would be with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and with those of the Buddha, because both of these lived such selfless lives and taught such similar teachings.
Buddha said 'consider others as yourself', and Jesus said 'treat others as you wish to be treated, love your neighbour as yourself'. Buddha said 'If man will not tend to one another, then who is there to tend for you? Whoever should tend to me, so he should tend to others' and Jesus said 'Truly, to the extent you do not do these things for the least of these people, you do not do them for me'. Buddha said 'Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings. Let your thoughts of boundless love pervade throughout the whole world', and Jesus said 'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, for there is no greater love than for one to lay down his life for others'. The Buddha said 'It is subtle, hard to perceive; that by giving way our food, we gain more strength; that by bestowing clothing on others, we gain more beauty; that by founding fountains of purity and truth, we acquire great treasures. Observe, the charitable man has found the path to liberation, for he is like a man who plants a sapling securely, thereby acquiring the shade, and the flowers, and the fruit in future years. Even so is the result of charity, even so is the joy of him who helps those needing assistance, even so is the great Nibbana'. Jesus said 'remember this; whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Thus, each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly, nor under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that in all things and at all times, having all that you need, you shall abound in every good work', and 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'. Buddha said 'The fault of others is easily perceived, but that of oneself is difficult to perceive. A man minnows the faults of his neighbour like chaff, but hides his own faults as a cheat hides a bad die from the dealer', Jesus said 'Do not judge, that you not be judged. For with what judgement you judge, it shall be judged back to you, and with the measure you use, it shall be measured back to you in kind. So, why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, yet you do not observe the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ''Remove the speck from your eye'', when there is a log in yours! Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, then you shall see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother's'. Jesus said 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you' and 'you have heard it said ''eye for eye and tooth for tooth'', but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also. If some person wants to sue you and take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well, and if someone forces you to go one mile with him, go with him two miles. Give to whomever asks you, and do not turn from the one who wants to borrow from you'. Buddha said 'hatred does not ever cease in this world by hatred, but by love; this is an eternal law. Thus, overcome anger by love, evil by good, the selfish by giving, and the liar by truthfulness'.
I, personally, believe all these to be the true teachings; love, hope, joy, peace. All these are motivated towards making this world a better place, respecting others, respecting the world, creating unity, selflessness, a culture of giving, where every individual is at liberty to be free, yet who each would strive to serve rather than take. These, in my eyes, are the manners in which the world would profit endlessly, each day, practically, observably and unanimously.
That's what I believe. I don't know if you can call it a religion, it seems more like obvious observation and common sense to me. How does hate cease by hate?
