This is a blog I wrote a while ago on my religious blog on SPAM (http://www.spamlds.org)
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Rock, Paper, Scissors

While writing my latest post in the "Why Reason" debate, I quoted a Relient K song that got me thinking about the game rock, paper, scissors.

Rock, Paper, Scissors, is a simple game played by people of all ages normally played to decide something. In case anyone has lived under a rock their life and never played it, I'll briefly explain the game.

Players, at the same time, (usually on the count of 3) make a certain hand gesture. A fist is considered "Rock." A closed hand, with the middle and index fingers extended, is Scissors, and paper is an open hand. The object of the game, is to come out on top. Rock beats scissors. Scissors beats paper, and paper, beats rock. When each player makes their hand gesture, the winner is decided by whoever beats the others.

Now here is the line from the relient K song:

Opinions are immunity to being told
You're wrong paper, rock, and scissors
They all have their pros and cons

First, Opinions are immunity from being told your wrong. This is very true and eloquently put. In any debate or discussion, there are facts and opinions. Facts are statements grounded in solid, proven evidence. Opinions are defined as such by Dictionary.com

1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal

Facts, can make or break a person in most debates. Facts are used to help generate opinions. Opinions are not definite and are usually based on one's personal experiences, personal study, and conclusions drawn from facts.

In most debates, (except for those held by the close-minded) a statement of opinion cannot fully be contradicted. One can show the reasons, thought processes, etc that helped the person come to that opinion but because it "rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty," you can't prove their actual veracity. In open-minded discussions, opinions are respected, even though some might disagree with them.

The discussion as to "why reason" seems to be circling around the point of "how does one know that their idea of morality is truly correct." Returning to the relient K quote, Paper, Rock and Scissors all have their pro's and cons. There are pros and cons to using all three of them. One might use rock, to beat scissors. Or Paper to beat rock. When put together, and the time comes to decide which is the right, who will have the winning gesture?

That is decided by the rules of the game. Paper beats rock, Rock beats Scissors, Scissors Beats paper. When the gestures are put to the final test, one will beat them all, based according to the standard that was set by whoever invented the game.

Now, how does this tie into the discussion of why reason? Without the rules, anybody can make a good case for why their hand beats everyone else's. They could say "my scissors are cast iron and rock wouldn't beat it or "my paper is so thick scissors can't cut it or "my rock is so big the paper can't cover it. Everyone can make a case that their result is correct. I've even seen kids cheat by throwing in "Dynamite" (extending just the index finger) and make a case as to why Dynamite trumps everything. Without the rules, one can start adding in his own objects and making case as to why theirs is the best.

Compare this to the ideals of morality and basic human interaction. Everyone has their opinion of what is right and what is wrong. Islamic radicals think it is ok to strap bombs to people and send them into crowded areas or fly planes into buildings. Hitler thought it was ok to exterminate the jews. Japanese Kamikaze pilots thought it was right to fly their planes into giant ships. Some christians think you don't need baptism to be saved. others say you do. Some people think stealing is wrong. Others don't mind it and even enjoy doing it. If I offend someone, maybe I'll feel guilty. But if I don't believe that offending someone is bad, then why feel guilty? Maybe I believe human life is sacred, or maybe I feel a "Humanzee" is right.

How do we know which "opinion" is right. How do we know if the scissors we are throwing down will truly trump paper? How do we know if our "rock" will be truly correct. What makes the examples in the previous paragraph morally right or wrong?

Just as the rules to rock-paper-scissors help us figure out which hand in each round correctly trumps the others, so do the laws and commandments of God help us figure out what "moral code" is truly correct. It is a standard by which all things must be compared. God is working by a plan, and that plan decides what is right or wrong.

Now, some may say the example of this game may be flawed because in different situations, different hands may win. Regardless of what hand is played, one must consult the basic rules of the game to determine the outcome. Thus, the spirit of revelation, and the mission of Prophets comes into play. Revelation and Prophets help give us a real-time evaluation of things against the will of God. For example, the problems faced by the people in Moses' life, were different from Noah's, and his problems were different than ours, or Elijah's. God has commanded, through his prophets, that we should not kill. Other times, when it was needed, God commanded his people to kill. Moses and his people were commanded to show their faith and devotion through ritual sacrifices of animals. Christ commanded us that we must sacrifice a broken heart and contrite spirit. These are different rocks, papers, and scissors that have been played throughout history. When prophets walk the earth, we can know what works for that situation, according to the mission of our God...according to whatever shall help "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

I testify that there is a God and he is working according to a great and eternal plan that, if followed, will bring the immortality and eternal life those who abide by its precepts, which are faith, repentence, and obedience to the laws and ordinances which God has established. I testify that Prophets help us understand this plan and guide in doing what is neccessary to further God's work. I testify that there is a standard of truth by which all things are based. There are "rules" to the great "rock, paper, scissors" game of life.

Tags: S.P.A.M Obedience Laws Rules

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