I'm not saying atheists don't have morals, I'm saying atheists don't have EXTRAORDINARY morals (so far as I know). Tehre could be some ethicist I don't know of that was a atheist, in which case I would love to know of to destroy the stereotype...
Not trying to offend anyone here, this is an honest question...
Here's some good examples:
Martin Luther King
Mother Teresa
(and don't use the excuse that Christians have been around longer than atheists, my two poster children are both 20th centruy figures...)
now, please
2006-10-08 06:09:46 · 6 answers · asked by Tofu Jesus 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I suppose you know every atheist to be able to make this judgment? That would be like saying every christian is over the edge because of their beliefs. Why generalize? I don't believe belief system has anything to do with who has extraordinary morals. You will see people with extraordinary morals across the board.
2006-10-08 06:16:19 · answer #1 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I recently took a Biblical Ethics class from a professor whom I would guess to be an atheist, based on things he said. He upheld a high morality. He was one of the kindest and most compassionate people I know.
If by Atheist, you mean in the strict sense of the word, then the Dalai Lama would probably count. Buddhists do not usually believe in God. So they are "Atheists." But of course, they are religious, so maybe you were not counting them. Also, Thich Nhat Hanh is another highly ethical, Atheist Buddhist.
Oh, and for goodness sake, don't let me forget the Buddha himself!
2006-10-08 06:15:30 · answer #2 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can't think of any atheist ethicists...at all. I can think of pagan ethicists (like Aristotle and Plato), but pagans aren't atheists.
2006-10-08 06:19:48 · answer #3 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's turn this around. How ethical is the Christian view that God will punish you with an eternity in hell for simply doubting God's existence?
I'd say that if Christians are right, then the very God of this universe is unethical. Christian who worship such a God are clearly not ethical.
2006-10-08 06:28:08 · answer #4 · answered by Jim L 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
they are too busy with their (atheists)own self interest to help others
2006-10-08 06:13:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
"I'm saying atheists don't have EXTRAORDINARY morals"
Provide evidence for your statement (anecdotes are not evidence) or your question is moot.
2006-10-08 06:12:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋