Malum in se (moral common sense, Jesus not required)

True Grit's - LaBoeuf: As I understand it, Chaney... or Chelmsford, as he called himshelf in Texas... shot the senator's dog. When the senator remonstrated, Chelmsford shot him as well. You could argue that the shooting of the dog was merely an instance of malum prohibitum, but the shooting of a senator is indubitably an instance of malum in se.

Rooster Cogburn: Malla-men what?

Mattie Ross: Malum in se. The distinction is between an act that is wrong in itself, and an act that is wrong only according to our laws and mores. It is Latin.

Tex Caster: We don't need the MAGAtrump Freedom Jesus/God to know up from down and wrong from right. Deal with it Happy-Clappers-Boy.

Funny thing, the same people who cite science as paramount in all decision making... refuse it when it is convenient.

But if not for hypocrisy, you'd have no position.

If scientists found a cell growing and developing into a sentient being on another planet.... would the headlines scream - LIFE DISCOVERED!

Or would they say - well... it is dependent on something else, a fact that remains for at least 10 earth years or so... and another 5 before it can survive on its own. It hasn't breathed yet, has no way of defending itself, so either we found no evidence of life, or it's a democrat. We can throw it in the bin or sell the parts.

Funny thing, the same people who cite science as paramount in all decision making... refuse it when it is convenient.

But if not for hypocrisy, you'd have no position.

If scientists found a cell growing and developing into a sentient being on another planet.... would the headlines scream - LIFE DISCOVERED!

Or would they say - well... it is dependent on something else, a fact that remains for at least 10 earth years or so... and another 5 before it can survive on its own. It hasn't breathed yet, has no way of defending itself, so either we found no evidence of life, or it's a democrat. We can throw it in the bin or sell the parts.