Y do religious people think Atheists have NO morals just because they don't believe in God?

Question

Are you saying that it is your belief in God that stops you from murdering, lying, raping and cheating?
What if there IS no God. PRETEND there is no God. Would that make it easier for you to lie, murder, rape and cheat?

Answer 1

It's the herd mentality. Religion itself was created as a means of defining what a civilized society should be. Just because the need for gods falters a bit more each day, doesn't mean that the underlying premise is wrong...do what you will, as long as you harm no one else.

Answer 2

First, it is not wise to put people in boxes with labels. In other words just because someone is religious does not mean they think an Atheist has no morals. There are people who pass judgment with a little information. This has always been the way it is. I believe in God and guess what, there are some God believers who have morals and some who really don't practice what they preach. If there were no God, I would still not do anything to cause pain to another person, animal, or ? I believe in treating others the way I would want to be treated.

Answer 3

I have lived in both very religious and none religious countries, so let me try to provide insight to this question.

Rape, muder, incest, etc are not connected to religion; it is connected with psychological damage - how the person is brought up, the kind of environment, people, society, his/her childhood experience, etc - anything that cause damage to his psyche.

So even a person who believes there is a God can do such harm to his/her neighbor.

On the other hand, I personally think that having a religion helps in the balancing of the inner self; its not about murder, its not about rape.. but about life's simple principles.. when your conscience is aware there is someone higher than you who can cause you to fall or rise, the inner calling of that something that makes u aware that life's principles are basically established for peace on earth and goodwill to all men. That it is the peace within that is more important that the short lived happiness you are enjoying at the moment.

Answer 4

I don't think having morals has anything to do with whether you are christian or atheist. I know people who claim to be christian that don't have too many morals except during church. Christians are just always trying to get people to see their point of view so much that they don't stop and think, that to judge someone for believing differently from them is not very Christian itself. It says in the bible not to judge. And as for it being easier to murder, rape, etc. Going to prison is reason enough for me not to do any of those things. Religion has nothing to do with the law. My whole family are big Christians so I grew up hearing about God and the bible and still do. I don't go to church, but am able to see others' point of view on their religion and beliefs too. Sorry if I offend anyone. That's just my opinion.

Answer 5

It is not a question of morals and I understand what you are saying. There will be a time where every person will decide that they can not do something on their own and they will ask someone for help and some people ask God. As far as your other thing CONSIDER THIS: If there is no God than I will be wrong but have no repercussions. IF there is a GOD than some people will be wrong and go to hell. WHAT IS THE LOGICAL CHOICE. Ask God to show you if he is real, really truely ask and you will find all your answers.

Answer 6

Where do you get this generalization that Christians (or other "believers") think atheists have no morals? There is some confusion here. Christians are not better people than those who are not. We are sinners, saved by the grace of God because we believe in His son. That doesn't mean we never do anything wrong again.

I'm sure you're a good person who tries their best to live with respect for others. The point is....there is more to life than what we see on this earth. If you don't believe that...well then.....! But I don't think that immediately makes you "immoral".

Answer 7

An Atheist made that statement that he didn't believe in sin therefore he has the right to do whatever he wanted. No one has said that atheists are murders,liars and cheaters. We are all sinners and are born into a sinful world and have a sinful nature. No one is perfect. Babies are not born into this world knowing right from wrong and I believe morals come from God. You can believe what you want and I respect that but alot of atheists that come on this site are very derogatory and make other atheists look real bad for as morality.

Answer 8

Those are some sexy legs.... oops ... did i say that out loud, sorry
ummm
I use to be a christian and my views were that unbelievers had no reason to have morals. They could just decide for there own selves what was wrong and right, and that scared me a little. No doubt I could easily assume that meant the unbeliever would often choose 'wrong'. .I figured that they could not be trusted. Christians also have the 'Us' vs 'Them' view. they dont all consciously see it that way, but they still have it. The preachers reinforce that view with the type of sermons they use.
Be nice too them if you can... i know its hard. There are some that will listen to reason,though it will take some time.

Answer 9

Because they grew up to think that way. The fact is that the majority of rapes and murders are commited by "christians". It's also a fact that the majority of the world's population will be atheist in the near future.

Answer 10

As a religious person I dislike all inclusive words. I like some Athiests. Many however find religious people below them, or of less value for having something to believe in. Granted some religious people believe that becuase they believe they are better then others and that others are of less value. I do not particularly care for either view. In fact I find the disruption in the search for truth quite annoying from both sides.

God is not our only source of belief. We believe what our parents and grand parents tell us. We believe our teachers, our scientists and even our guests. I find most of my truth in character from the martial arts. Specifically from Master Mike. We believe some of what we read. Some of these things we simply just know to be wrong. God is not our only source. Like you we gather our truth from several sources, not that different from some athiests im sure.

Even if God does not exist, many of us will hold the same morals we do now. What we believe does not define us in totality. I would appreciate it if both the few religious people intolerant of Athiests, and the few Athiests intolerant of religious people would remain silent until they can prove their point in completeness and can offer multiple points of reference proving themselves correct.

Hails to the warriors,
Silence

ps... You got it, im an Occultist.