Dear Agnostics and Atheists: Where do you base your moral values?

Answer 1

I am neither, I don't believe in agnosticism:

Society dictates moral values, literature dictates moral values, agnostics and atheists must live within the framework of the society they live within or else they are deamed sociopaths.

Not many of them are true sociopaths as they are generally nutters.

Ironically, agnostics and atheists by living within societies moral values, conform to the moral values that religon has laid down, as whether they like it or not, most common sense morals in society were verbalised first in one religion or another and have subsequently became codified..

Answer 2

If theists have moral values inly because God tells them so, then they might as well have none at all. Agnostics and atheists' moral values come straight from the heart, with no need for a higher being to tell us to be morally correct. Empathy and sympathy are what moral values really for, not a way to get into heaven. It is morally incorrect to pretend to have moral values only as a selfish way to ensure a place in "heaven". See how logical we atheists are?

Answer 3

I am neither an agnost nor an atheist. But I want to say a few words, in their support. They are not hypocrites. There are many so called theists who believe in God and yet are immoral. Where do they base their moral values? They keep both their religious practises and personal conduct as two water-tight compartments. To me, ethics and moral values are the supreme vehicles for God realisation. A moral and value conscious agnost and a similar atheist are nearer and dearer to God than an immoral and hypo critic theist.

Answer 4

On evolution. Societies, like species, are subject to the laws of evolution. If a society's beliefs are not compatible with survival, it will not survive. Since preservation of life and property are important requisites for any society, almost every society (and religion) condemns murder and theft. Once beyond these basics, moral values differ considerably. The Shakers, who didn't believe in sex, are gone; Mormons, whose churcn emphasizes self-reliance and thrift, are doing well. Churches often offer themselves as moral arbiters, but their claims to moral authority are not legitimate, as we have seen.

Answer 5

One of my earliest memories is of my father pointing to the floor and telling me, "If I say that's 'up', you WILL believe it is 'UP'!". I couldn't articulate it at the time, but at that moment I became aware that "received authority" has no basis in logic and can be unjust.

That is not to say that all received authority is always wrong, but it is very susceptible to abuse by ambitious individuals who wish to use belief systems to express their own will to power.

A reasonable person with no preference for logic as an abstract ideal can "develop moral values" simply by adhering to laws and regulations which have been constructed by society to maintain order and protect health & property. A reasonable person who develops their values by way of logical construct will eventually find themselves conforming to most of these laws and customs in any event.

You will find the vast majority of U.S. prisoners identify themselves as "Christian", so recognition of received authority on matters of morality is very different and probably almost completely disconnected from actual practice.

Answer 6

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.-- William Blake

When you've truly experienced your oneness with life you'll see everything is spiritual already and be filled with overwhelming love and compassion for all beings.

Isn't that enough?

Answer 7

Off of common sense. I don't need some dead guy from 2,000 years ago to tell me not to kill people and not to judge them by their appearance or the color of their skin. I know that. I'm not completely stupid or an ********. I'd like to know where some people get their moral values. Certainly it can't be from their church, certainly they don't teach hatred in church?

Answer 8

You don't need to think someone is watching you and waiting to reward you or punish you in order to have moral values. If you do that's just fear and greed, not morality.

Answer 9

in my own tiny, self-centred universe

partially kidding there - i base mine generally on the whole "do unto others..." bit. i know that's from the bible, but it's good nonetheless. i try not to do anything to anyone that i wouldn't like to have happen to me. sometimes i slip up, but i always try

p.s. i am an agnostic

Answer 10

In myself. I am here now, and am not harming another human. I do not impose my feelings,beliefs,or thougts on others by force,mis-information or lies or intimidation.
I am merely attemtpting to survive, breathe in, exhale, repeat as needed.
That is morally correct?