How do they determine good and bad, right and wrong, moral or immoral? They must be their own god the final arbritrator of all things or either they let the government decide for them or society.
2006-08-13 02:24:13 · 12 answers · asked by nobodiesinc 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, morality can be built individually, it does not need to come out of a book. I'm not religious and I certainly prefer not to leave important decisions up to the government. What do they know?
I presecribe to self-determination.
2006-08-13 02:39:56 · answer #1 · answered by szydkids 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person commits an illegal act because of his religious belief, then the judicial system will treat him no differently than any other offender. Thus, in a society made of laws, society's laws decide what things are good, bad, right, and wrong. Where the law does not apply, the non-religious person uses his own judgment, _just_ as the religious person does when there is no law to guide him. Moreover, religious people break the laws of their own religion all the time. Why would they do that if they respected the laws of their religion? To sum it all up, the actions of the religious people are not generally superior to the actions of the non-religious.
2006-08-13 09:31:07 · answer #2 · answered by kanajlo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because at the core of all human beings is the need to do good and help others. I think we are born perfect and then molded by our families and friends. I have friends who are atheists with grown children who have all graduated college, some went to the Peace Corps, some became nurses and ALL have great morals and try and do the right thing like we all strive to. That's one of religion's fallacy's, they preach if you don't follow a certain book or faith that you will wander aimlessly through life with no morals or good behaviour. It's totally a bunch of crap. I can tell you that from experience.
2006-08-13 10:36:59 · answer #3 · answered by carpediem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobodiesinc,
What a very interesting question. I wish more people, would consider this thought. Most of the time, people take the decision making process for granted, and don't consider the ramifications of it at all. I especially like your use of the word "foundation". I use it often, to describe the process of choice making. This is my take on it. I believe that Jesus, came to this world, to bring a message to our race: "The Kingdom of God, is within you". When we come to God as humble children, and invite Him into our lives, He sends His Spirit into us, and literally bonds with us. We then become new creatures, part mortal, part Immortal. The old values of materialism and fear fall away. Love and Wisdom, become the foundation of all our choices. Those who do not have this "Indwelling Spirit", make their decisions based on some very flawed foundations indeed. We only have to look around at the lives of those who are not God-possessed, to see the results of the poor decisions being made. In scripture, those who are without this Spirit, are numbered among the dead, literally. When this one short, painful life is over for them, it's over forever. All for the lack of one, life changing choice.
2006-08-13 09:43:06 · answer #4 · answered by Will O' the Wisp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see a difference between being religious and being spiritual. If I were to attend Holy Mass every Sunday, go to confession, tithe, and receive communion, I'd be religious. If I were to study spiritual teachings, meditate, practice loving, kindness, and compassion, but attend no religious function, I'd be spiritual.
I am Spiritual. I rarely attend church. My personal edict is "to maintain spiritual clarity, do not adopt any one religions rose-colored glasses." My moral compass is derived from an amalgam of spiritual studies, from Christianity to Wicca.
2006-08-13 09:39:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free Will is available to all of us. We have the free will to choose a religion or not. We have the free will to choose any path. Ultimately I think it is society that determines how most of us make decisions. We are all in several societies -- family, city, state, country.
The one without religion ultimately makes decisions based on the same things you do... their free will choice of what to believe.
2006-08-13 09:32:58 · answer #6 · answered by Brent 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When was the last time your God came to you and instructed you to do anything?
Does he write it down for you to remember, or does he give you a new set of instructions each day?
How does that process work?
Maybe I'll ask a new question to see what your contemporaries have to say...
2006-08-13 09:30:43 · answer #7 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is called rationality. religion is just a government tool to control society so what is the foundation of your belief system? to listen to the government.
2006-08-13 09:28:13 · answer #8 · answered by QuizTheOneWithoutOne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe in your self. And live by a moral code rreue to you
2006-08-13 09:32:32 · answer #9 · answered by tammidee10 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think straight and you'll know what's right or wrong.
2006-08-13 09:34:32 · answer #10 · answered by ☼ Ỉẩη ♫ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋