Why do some people seem to think that because someone doesn't believe in God they have no morals or values?

Question

You can be a good person without being committed to a particular religion.

"Mar"... So you're saying because you 'have Jesus' you're better than me??

Answer 1

This is very true. I know quite a few atheists and agnostics who are very good people. Those who judge them otherwise are ignorant and should not be payed attention to.

Answer 2

It's true, God gave everyone a consciounce. It provides a sense of right and wrong. Some people live better lives than others based upon their following of this inner guidance system. Religion has nothing to do with it.

However, if you want to "check your oil" and see how your goodness measures up, look at the ten commandments. And if you really want to be undone, see the commandments of Jesus in the sermon on the mount (Matthew5-7). I suppose that's why the Bible says , "There is none who does good, there is not even one."(Romans3:12)

Now, don't get upset with me. I'm just telling you what the Bible says. It also says that if we will humble ourselves, God may give us the gift of righteousness. But it's not based on our goodness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Answer 3

Certainly the world has innumerable good people that don't believe in God. Someone that is an atheist (no god) does not have to be amoral (no morals, no sense or rule of right or wrong). Considering the problem we have with people who are amoral (no right or wrong) and the preponderance of amoral people who are atheist (no god). Where is someone with no god going to go to get some morals? Most of the moral systems are either connected to, related to, or similar to the variety of moral systems developed by, possessed by, or accompanying religious systems. These are not rigid connections and laws like gravity that religion=morals and no religion=no morals, but a commonly observed phenomenon like gravity. There is the gravity that is measured, hypothesized, and in many ways understood, and then there is the gravity that amuses infants in highchairs, adolescents on skateboards, and thrills adults on bungee cords or parachutes. These latter don't necessarily understand but they do appreciate gravity. Morals are like that. We have those who explore the lines and measures of morality. We have those who simply live and say, "Hey, that's not right!" But there are an awful lot of people who come up with strange and inconsistent places to say "That's not right!" who are amoral. Those sometimes, to those casual practitioners, seem to come from those nogod people.

If you snatch food from my mouth, if you kick me out of my bed in the middle of the night, if you strike me with no obvious cause or provocation, most of us would agree that those actions are wrong. We all have some moral sense. We also have an inconsistency about ourselves. A man will intentionally try to be truthful while to another truth is but a tool of convenience when it is convenient. The second could spend a lifetime of lying, but suddenly yell at the former for one moment's obsfuscation. Which one was honest, which one is really a liar? Why does it matter? What has God got to do with it? Sometimes religion is about the only motivator with any consistency that compells a person to be honest. Line up 10 athiests and 10 devotees to a religious system that teaches a strong moral code. Which ones would you most often believe? Which ones would you most often trust your wallet to? Each group will disappoint your innate sense of right and wrong, but which ones will most likely disappoint you most often? How do you know? Be honest.

Answer 4

In Islam, God informed us that we initially good persons and then we divert through the impact of family, society and then by ourselevs when we mature and be able to choose for ourselves.

Thus what is diverted will vary as our attributes are infinite as each of us is an individual.

So you really can be with good moral and does not believe in God. And God will reward you for your good morals in life, but will punish you for your disbelief only on Judgement day.

Also, History say that who firstly believe in Prophets are those of Good morals because when see that the religion acknowledges their good morals, they tend to believe more in who created these good morals to exist as well the creator of Mankind.

I am sure something inside you is searching and this question reflects that you are on the right path toward faith.

So keep questioning and hopefully the good answers can -by God will- guide you as Only God guide us to him.

Answer 5

The foundation of Christianity relies on teaching that all people are born wicked and evil.

Extremist Christians literally believe that all non-Christians, including those Christians who do not share their opinions, are literally Satan's helpers. And, no matter what a person does, if he does not believe their version, he is wicked, evil and should be put to death.

Most people do not seem to realize millions of people were put to death for no other reason than rejecting Trinitarian doctrine, and/or refusing to accept whichever version of Christianity happened to be popular with various kings.

That philosophy has not changed and extremist Christians are just as dangerous as any other murderer or murderer wannabe.


Example: Pat Robertson has repeatedly called for the deaths of people who disagree with him. He is the public face of extreme Christianity. And, if he had the power to do so, would murder anyone who disagreed with him.

Answer 6

Yes you can be a good person without religion. You can be a better person with Jesus at your side. Religion and a relationship with your Savior are two different things.

Answer 7

I personally think that almost anyone, no matter what religion, can have good morals and values. (I am a Christian)

An example of this is Bill Gates, who, I believe is indifferent religiously, but still is extremely influential, helpful, and positive in making our world a better place.

Answer 8

so very true!

i am a christian, but i wasnt always.

the fact is, morals may be attached to religion, but religion doesnt have the patent on being "good".

i promise, i wont think you are less good than anyone else.

but dont turn your back on faith just b/c someone didnt represent it well. you dont have to choose my faith, but look into faith, it can give your life even more depth and meaning.

Answer 9

Because most religious people are pushed to coerce others into joining their sect. Accusing non-members of being evil or sinful somehow is just another method of coercion.

Answer 10

because some people grow up thinking that God is the embodiment of all morality and cannot understand the fact that people actually can think for themselves and chose to be good or bad....make good decisions and bad ones...okey dokey???