If they dont believe in absolute truth from the bible, than why are they consciencious about harming others? I there is no God than why not do whatever you want when ever, there is no one watching. If for the benifit of social relationships than why do you still feel guilt when you do something BAD to another? Give me your thoughts and reactions thank you
2006-10-11 15:16:54 · 18 answers · asked by daniel 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have something called compassion and humanity.
You think you're moral ONLY because a deity tells you that one thing is right and another is wrong and you should only do what's right? What, if you didn't have to answer to a supernatural authority, you'd be knocking over 7-11's and cheating on your taxes and your spouse and your homework? I'd hate to be that way, personally. I don't hang my morality on a myth. My decency isn't contingent upon the declarations of a Bronze Age superstition.
2006-10-11 15:19:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
With or without the Bible or the God of the Bible (some ignore there are other Gods around on the planet) ... we stay humans.
Our status of human beings is what create the bonds between us all, and the religion and God are objects of conflicts and wars. They dont unite us, they split us.
This fact is the base to the conscience of the Atheists. They cannot accept the idea of a God being an object of conflicts.
In that sense, their reaction to God (there is no God) ia a belief by itself.
2006-10-11 22:30:18 · answer #2 · answered by Sweet Dragon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there's no god, there's probably no life after death. If this is the only life we'll ever have (as an atheist, this is what I believe) than the worst harm you could possibly do to someone else is to take away that life.
As an atheist, I don't want to harm anyone. I don't do things that I know will hurt someone else. I don't act this way because I'm afraid I'll go to hell otherwise, but because I think this is the most moral way to act.
And I think that doing the 'right' thing and not hurting someone because it's the right thing to do is a much more moral act than not hurting someone because you're afraid of some imaginary hell as punishment.
2006-10-11 22:21:58 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The bible, or any other religious book of law is merely an externalization of what its authors knew to be morally correct.
Did everyone murder before the bible was widely available?
It's not a matter of who is "watching". The "golden rule" exists in some form in almost all faiths and all cultures. That's enough moral law for anyone, whether they believe in god or not.
I feel guilty when I do something wrong because I KNOW I DID SOMETHING WRONG, not because I'm afraid of being punished by a deity.
2006-10-11 22:22:09 · answer #4 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To muck up Hamlet a bit, "To believe or not to believe. That is the question."
Belief, in and of itself, is not a guarantee of moral behavior. There are many believers, Hitler being one of them, who acted in unconscionable and consummately evil ways. Their belief did not stop them from creating horror beyond human imagination. No. Belief in some religious mythological construct could be the opening to spiritual understanding but in the majority of cases, it's used simply as a tool to badger others.
To have a moral compass and conscience is a result of human experience. We are the sum total of what we have been plus the positive and negative experiences of those who were responsible for us as children. This can create a believer who is a bad human being or a non believer who behaves like a saint.
Add a little compassion and understanding for the "other" to this mix and you have someone that you would want to call friend.
2006-10-11 22:33:24 · answer #5 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because someone doesn't believe in the bible doesn't mean they are incapable of knowing the difference between good and bad morals. Why do you ASSume only Christians are good moral people? Countries that don't follow Christianity don't have all of their citizens running rampant and doing whatever they want so maybe everyone knows good moral standing.This just shows the mentality of bible beaters.
2006-10-11 22:22:58 · answer #6 · answered by Hellsdiner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Psuedo-morality that is based on religion is simply doing what is right for the reward or to escape punishment and often includes a good dose of hypocrisy. For me doing what is right...simply because it is right is real morality. It is more noble. I do not fear punishment or expect rewards. I do accept consequences, both good and bad. Guilt does not play a part in my life, as I live in a manner that does not require that emotion. I believe that an altruistic life is the best one. God or dogma is not required to be kind, to hold to your principles, to be compassionate, to be loving....to be human.
2006-10-11 22:24:24 · answer #7 · answered by Medusa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i could be classified as an atheist (easily). Just because i dont believe in the bible (i like some of the things in it ) does not mean that i dont care about others i am a person just like u ...to say that an atheist would not have principles is quite igonerant in my opinion .....
2006-10-11 22:22:58 · answer #8 · answered by aaron 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the conscience comes from god. It comes from socialization. We are taught by others, especially our families, what is right and wrong. Plus, one need not fear god to see the downside to things like rape and murder. Seeing the suffering that their actions produce will produce guilt in most people.
2006-10-11 22:21:51 · answer #9 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why don't CHristians own slaves?
Exodus 21:20-21
Leviticus 25:45
Why don't Christians follow BIble morality and allow other people to have their God given right to own slaves, and children as property?
2006-10-11 22:26:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋