Personally, I think it comes from a sense of self-worth. They know that they wouldn't want someone else doing certain things to themself and so they have the respect to spare others that same feeling. Also, some actions come equipped with consequences. Murdering, Stealing, etc. are all bound to get you caught and thrown in jail or worse.
Isn't this enough reason for where non-theists morals and respect for other people's right to live unmolested comes from?
2006-08-09 08:52:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion usually does not define morals or a sense of right and wrong for people; society does that. Consider that everyone enjoys the benefits of a society with a fairly clear sense of right and wrong (though there is still room for gray areas). Many of our accepted behaviors are born of the society we have built and live in. A society's boundaries might share a wall or two with a particular religious belief, but that is only a coincidence.
A good example of this would be to compile all the laws as put forth by the Old Testament. You would be hard pressed to find someone who actually adheres to those laws now, because society has changed it's boundaries. The words in the Old Testament are the same as they have always been.
A better example would be to examine relatively recent history. Certain behaviors that would be considered sinful, shameful and outrageous in 1806 are common everyday occurrences in 2006. Once again, the precepts of religion did not change, but society did.
Since society is defining morality, rather than a particular religion, non-theists are included in shaping what is considered right and wrong.
2006-08-09 09:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by Andy L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it is subjective based on time and place. Look at the world. Look at Darfur. Go throughout time and you will see a wide range of beliefs as to right and wrong. Now go through various cultures and you will see the same. Your beliefs are based on what is fed into you your life.
Why were Germans able to carry out the Holocaust? They were and educated Christian nation. The reason is simple Jews were not thought of as humans. Centuries of indoctrination came spilling forth.
2006-08-09 08:59:54 · answer #2 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To live in this mortal world there needs to be some rules... God has given the best ones... but the majority reject God... so... they need to make their own... that leads to all the "moral" views of right and wrong... just what is needed to keep enough peace to keep every one from killing everyone else... most of the time... sometimes...if it feels good at the time... chill dude... make peace not war... etc etc etc...
2006-08-09 09:01:58 · answer #3 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the people who admit that they couldn't tell right from wrong without a 2000 year old manual, who scare me.
There are theists here who act like without the bible, they'd be rapists and murders because they wouldn't know any better.
I just hope that these people don't live anywhere near me.
2006-08-09 08:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from compassion. We have the ability to imagine possibilities and it is nearly impossible for us to see another person suffer without imagining what it would be like if we or someone we cared about deeply suffered like that.
Unfortunately religion sometimes teaches people to narrow that compassion so they only feel it for people of their own faith or country, like the 9-11 hijackers, or those who support the killing of innocent civilians in Lebanon as necessary.
2006-08-09 09:17:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all know Morals are society driven. Its not about God, religion, non-religion, but society, and the basis of ones own up-bringing, and personality.
If society deemed it moral to murder anyone, for no reason, we may all find it difficult to accept now, but over time, as it was passed on to our children, and our shildrens children, it would be morally acceptable.
2006-08-09 08:57:41 · answer #6 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IS murdering of hamless people by Muslim terrofists a theist or non-theist moral?
2006-08-09 09:00:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kudos to you. I don't understand why some people think that morality can only come from religion.
2006-08-09 09:03:11 · answer #8 · answered by cmm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
our upbringing, society as a whole, following by example. COMMON freaking sense?
not everything revolved around god, or the church buddy!
2006-08-09 09:02:29 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems so to me. You make pretty good sense. :)
2006-08-09 08:57:09 · answer #10 · answered by Girl Wonder 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋