CHRISTIANS! Is it possible to be a non-believer and be moral at the same time? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Im a non Believer and i dont need god to be my motivation to be a good person. i have my family for that.

Answer 2

This is the sticky issue with atheists. Who determines what is moral? What is right? Do we rely on our own "feelings" as to what is moral? That is pretty scary. If that is the case, then if I believe I am morally correct to break into your home and steal your stuff, how could you judge me to be immoral? Maybe it is morally correct for me to do this. Do we rely on society or social norms to determine morality? Well, that too is rather precarious. Before the late 1800's, European societies determined it was right to own slaves. During the 1930's and 40's in Nazi Germany, it was morally acceptable to discriminate against Jews and even have them put to death. There are many other examples where societies or cultures determined that some activity was morally acceptable which we would recoil in horror at. So, the only other alternative is an intrinsic morality that prevails through all time and all places. It didn't come from the dirt or the ocean. It didn't get passed down from animals or amoebas. This morality was placed in hearts and souls by the lawgiver of the Universe.

Answer 3

I am a Christian, and I do think it is possible for non-believers to be moral. I also believe Christians can be immoral. How a person acts is a matter of choice, so if someone does act moral, they have chosen to do so for whatever reason, whether they follow Christ, just believe in obeying the law or whatever. The difference is grace and forgiveness for Christians through Christ's sacrifice and love, and our acceptance of Him as Lord of our lives. Since we will all falter at some time in our Christian walk, grace is the key.

Answer 4

Christians are SOOO much more moral than everyone else. Just ask anyone who has ever been molested by a priest, minister, or pastor. Just go into a prison and see all the fine, upstanding, moral Christians behind bars. Oh, and be sure and read about the women who, centuries ago, were accused of witchcraft and tortured to death by kind, compassionate Christians.

Can one be moral without Christianity? Of course! Just as one can be wretchedly immoral with it. Belief in God does not guarantee that one will be good.

Answer 5

The term non-believer isn't the right term. Even if you don't partake in an organized religion, you still believe that there is no higher power.

With that bit of the grammatical lecture aside, yes, it is very possible to be moral and not belong to a religion. I am non-religious and don't require the threat of eternal damnation to be motivation to be moral. I am moral because I know its the right thing to do and helps society thrive. Some people, however, do need that extra motivation and that is the purpose of religion. To each their own in whatever makes them happy and gives them purpose in life.

Answer 6

It's very possible. I myself am Agnostic. I believe something is there but do not know exactly what. I consider myself moral to a certain extent. Everyone wanders from the path occasionally. But in my case I think all humans have a set of basic morals instilled. And it also depends on the environment you grew up in ect. But as long as you don't do anything deliberatly to hurt someone I think you're alright in whatever beings eyes that happens to be residing in the great unknown.

Answer 7

not denying of course there are alot of of moral non believers, however you've got to know where they got there morals from in the first place, if humans were left on earth all on their own with no belief then they woudnt have rules or guidance to show right from wrong, alot of morals are borrowed from religion. its just like in pre-islamic arabia, female infanticide was the "right" thing to do; it was a shame to have a girl, but when islam came out that was forbidden, (just an example), so what nonbeliever see as right and wrong are sortof borrowed from religion that is prevalent in society at the time.

Answer 8

Yes. It's possible. But untill a certain point. When you just cannot stand something. A nonbeliever does not take into account that he would be questioned for his/her actions. There are very few reasonable motivations for good morals and self-control.

Answer 9

"An Atheist loves himself and his fellow man instead of a god.  An Atheist knows that heaven is something for which we should work now - here on earth - for all men together to enjoy.  An Atheist thinks that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue, and enjoy it.  An Atheist thinks that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.  Therefore, he seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god.  An Atheist knows that a hospital should be built instead of a church.  An Atheist knows that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said.  An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death.  He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated.  He wants man to understand and love man.  He wants an ethical way of life.  He knows that we cannot rely on a god nor channel action into prayer nor hope for an end to troubles in the hereafter.  He knows that we are our brother's keeper and keepers of our lives; that we are responsible persons, that the job is here and the time is now."  ~ Madalyn Murray (later O'Hair), preamble to Murray v. Curlett, 27 April 1961

Answer 10

Of course it is. I know pagans and other people who are more kind, giving and loving and moral than a some christains I know. Some of the most christain people I know are not christains but morality alone doesnt make you a christian.

Answer 11

Yes. As an agnostic-ish atheist, yes.

This enables me to live in the present - to do good things now, so that I can see my rewards now. To treat people kindly, to help people, listen, be charitable, and so forth because I can more vividly see the fruits of my rewards now (or soon), not in an unknowable afterlife.

Religion is focused on the thereafter - people who do things for much later on.

But people who aren't religious still are good people (though I'd say "morality" is relative) because one sees the effects much more quickly.