i think we are over complicating adam's question. situations like these can get sticky because our feelings get involved and confuse us. however, when you take out what you feel and what you want to be true, to me the answer is not too hard to figure out. materials in and of themselves, no matter what they are made for or intended for are amoral. they are not right or wrong, because they themselves posses no intent. perhaps i am oversimplifying the issue, but i just do not see how an object can have morals. it is just a thing that exists, and it's use is determined by the user. however, i also realize that this is sometimes hard to argue. for example, arguing that the atomic bomb is not bad sounds very odd to us. then, if you try to say well, if an atomic bomb was on a shelf not being used then.....but an atomic bomb would not be sitting on a shelf no being used, because that is not the world we live in. and, like adam said, it was still made with the intent to harm someone. but i still think the argument of objects being amoral holds, because the object is still not doing or thinking or intending anything.

Really any technology will change the "status quo" and have a huge effect on society, especially at first. some will have a larger impact, or a longer lasting one, but i think any technology influences society to some extent. for example, take cell phones. at first, they were a major divisive technology (well maybe not that major but still). in my community, when i was in jr. high (i think) only one kid in my class had a cell phone. she automatically had the most friends and was liked the most because she was the "coolest" girl in school. however, some kids resented her because they were jealous and felt as if they were being passed by. this is kindof a silly example, but i think it reflects society as a whole. when technologies are first introduced to society, people that can afford them are often elevated in society and better respected by people. this has a definite effect on society classes and changes people's roles in society.

hmm, absolutes. coming from a Christian world view, i would say that there are some absolutes. the absolutes are the things that are spelled out in the Bible. however, there are situations where there may not be an absolutely correct thing to do. things that are not really addressed in the Bible. even as Christians, there are things that we disagree on. does this mean that there is only one right answer and one person is absolutely wrong and one is absolutely right? i don't really think so. this is kindof addressed in the Bible, i think. isn't this what paul is talking about when he talks about the weaker/stronger brother thing? i think so. i think he said that some things are right and fitting for me that may not be right for you. this doesn't really address absolute wrong and right in society, but i think it addresses it in Christianity.