...then why isn't every atheist -- who don't believe in Heaven/Hell/God/Jesus or followng the Bible, and therefore, dont have any moral compass -- living a total immoral life? What keeps us from killing everyone we dont like, sleeping with everyone's spouses, hating our mothers and fathers, etc? How come I am not totally confused between right and wrong?
Do Christians and fundies really believe that there would be total moral chaos without the magical fantasy Lords watching over us? I'm really curious about this because I constantly see people saying things like "well how do you know right from wrong if you don't believe in god?".
2006-08-22 14:40:28 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hand of justice21: interesting take in your answer (seriously), but 1 thing, these aren't "my assumptions" these are christian's assumptians. Other than that, pretty good, i'm working my way down still...
2006-08-22 15:10:59 · update #1
Empathy, social animal characteristics, etc. Morals are an evolutionary bi-product. Christians like to feel special. I have morals, and have no clue what Christianity says is ok.
2006-08-22 15:02:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You make several false assumptions....
God isnt necessarily sustaining morality. God has instilled morality and a will to seek him out. Therefore every atheist isnt necessarily leading an immoral life (but leading an moral life is not all that is required to be saved). With this instilled morality, soceity in general tends to agree on moral issues such as murder, infidelity, and not honoring our parents.
The problem with the atheist and the one you may have is not an inability to discern right and wrong, but an ability to discern good from evil. EG: A banana split is good (unless youre a diabetic) is it good or evil? neither. Is abortion good or bad? Bad in essence. Is it good or evil? That is where the disagreements would start to come from a person with spiritual discernment and one without.
Conclusion: The atheist may be good in ways but if he doesnt follow God; has no basis or obligation for doing good. Atheists are forced into becoming moral relativists and as a result are blind to good and evil, though they still retain the knowledge of basic right and wrong.
2006-08-22 14:52:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to have religion or God to be moral. Many moral people have been Atheists. Clarence Darrow, the great American Attorney, who fought for the rights of the poor and downtrodden, who sacrificed the chance to be wealthy by doing so was a very moral person - more moral than most religious people - yet he was an Atheist. People can be moral and not have a religion but I fear that the majority couldn't and Religion and God do hold society together.
2006-08-22 14:50:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I think its pretty obivious that God and religion arent really holding anybodies morals together in todays world. Everyone has a right to believe whatever they want. Im right there with you. I consider myself agnostic coming from an upbringing in the Bible belt. I have tremendous issues with organized religion but still lead what I consider a moral life. Thats does include not breaking the law and sleeping with other peoples husbands. Youll find your way, just follow your gut, it will never ever lie to you.
2006-08-22 14:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by Nikki 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Humans are the only ones that grow and know right from wrong because we have a spirit , If we were part of the animal kingdom then we sould have the strongest only survive , ask a atheist man/woman if you can sleep with there spouse and if not then why , I'm sure they will give a answer like its morally wrong ,well where did that come from , From God
2006-08-22 14:48:23 · answer #5 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i don't really believe that with out some sort of belief system we may all go into a chaotic binge on life...but i do believe we all need or have something to hold ourselves together even if it just our selves.
I'm a christian...and at one point or another I've done one or more of those things ...knowing that God is watching me. And yet I still hang on...-I've straighten up though... Not just because i knew God is watching but because something in me- and I'm sure others-can grow tired of those things and weary of all the mess that it brings...thus the measure of right from wrong for believers and even the non-believers. The idea of can you keep it all up? Can you keep it together..? Some cases people can go on forever keeping up the charade of chaos...while others along with myself want for something more...
My point is its all in how you look at it. Right from wrong tends to change now and then so really who am I-or you , or we to say...but I know that for myself that everyone needs or has something that keeps them going and knowing..so with that I'll say don't worry about it just do what's best for you and the rest will see its self out. (cause me I'ma just pray on it and leave it alone...that's what keeps me going-gives me my moral strength)
2006-08-22 14:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by J.Trickly 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually those are just your assumptions. I am a Christian and I do not automatically think an Atheist is immoral. He might have good morals but just not believe in God. As far as your statement about knowing right from wrong- society teaches us that (teachers, police officers, etc.).
2006-08-22 15:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've always found it fascinating that atheists never required human or animal sacrifices from anyone, as the "God" of the Old Testament did, to be loved by them.
Atheists are humanists who appreciate their fellow humans for merely being alive and living along side them in a common human experience.
In that sense, atheists are holier toward people than even the gods.
2006-08-22 15:00:55 · answer #8 · answered by ideogenetic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You were probably brought up with set of beliefs and value system which is morally right. If you were living in Cambodia during Pol Pot time, and were raised with their value system you will probably be carrying a gun and killing is just like eating lunch.
Law and the government of countries provide moral standards. In Pakistan, it is morally right to kill a cheating wife. To people in other more developed countries this is murder. Both are right, so they think. Most laws were/are based on religion laws.
Our conscience I believe is an in-built system from God that helps us from differentiating from right from wrong.
To me, if you believe in God and not by worldly or our own standards, its not whether its right or wrong, you should ask 'Are my actions/behaviour acceptable to God?'.
2006-08-22 14:58:08 · answer #9 · answered by JasonLee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You never answered your own question. How DO you know what's right and wrong, and what, aside from law, would keep you from doing 'morally bad' things? What grounds your moral compass?
And seriously, no joke - why do all of the people that are calling Christians out for believing in 'fantasy worlds' look so angry on their avatars? I pray you find the peace and happiness you're looking for.
2006-08-22 14:43:42 · answer #10 · answered by They call me ... Trixie. 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋