Atheists although you dont believe in god does that mean?

Question

I am not married, although I have been with my partner for 8 years I am legally not married, but we see ourselves as being married, and we call ourselves husband and wive. Many of our "married" friends dont seem to take their vows seriously and have cheated on one another. NOw although you dont believe in god or a higher source, and believe that you are the one who controls your world.
Does that mean that you dont believe in the principles which is much more important than the actual definition of god to the masses. And if so couldnt it be said that by living this example of the principles of god, is to know god? Please keep in mind that Im not saying there is a god or not. What I am saying is there is in all of us the desire to be good and have goodness around us. So would that not be to know god when you demonstrate this goodness? Just wondering

Answer 1

I can be a whiz at Math, but not be a Mathematician, can't I?

Answer 2

I believe in being good, in not murdering, not stealing and some other principles that religions teach. Only that I wasn't taught those principles BY the church, and I don't follow those principles for religious motives. I mean, I don't kill because that's wrong. And that's wrong because there is nothing to me, above human life. I don't steal because that's wrong. And that's wrong because those properties are not mine, and because I don't think I'd feel okay having something that's not mine.

And of course, then there's the law. I am definitely a law-abiding citizen of my country. And the law says I can't do those things.

BUT I am not interested in following the OTHER stuff that religions teach. Basically, I'm not interested in following religious principles that have to do with sexual behaviour. My only principle about sex is that IF all the people envolved are consenting adults, that's okay. You see, religions are a lot more restrictive than that. But I couldn't care less.

Answer 3

If I understand your question you are asking if atheists still believe in having principles. I couldn't speak for others and I'm agnostic but I suspect that most atheists/agnostics have principles they believe in. These are probably just different than some of the religiously defined ones. For instance, I don't believe pre-martial sex is sinful but I believe promiscuity can be self destructive and sleeping with someone without being honest about your intentions is immoral. Thus, I don't engage in those behaviors. I believe in the freedom to pursue your individual beliefs so long as you aren't harming others is an important democratic principle so I don't believe in legislating against people with different beliefs or sexual preferences than my own. So yes, I believe in principles but my principles are different than some defined by religions.

Answer 4

Since you are an adulterer in God's eyes, and (according to the bible) as an unrepented sinner will likely be banned to hell by God when you die, I'm not sure where you're going with this.

To equate a moral act with "knowing" God can only be true if the moral act is done in God's name. Otherwise, the act stands alone. It's like when one chooses to drive safely. You're not "knowing God", you simply choosing to be civil (and to survive another day). Morality is just an extension of civility, and is different in every society and changes with time. Even what is believed to be "Moral" in God's eye changes. Just ask Galileo or Galen. Heck, not too long ago, it was believed to be an abomination to God to bathe.

Heck, once upon a time, God fearers would have stoned you and your "husband" for your actions.

Answer 5

I am not an atheist, but also not a Christian. I have friends who are atheists, and they do believe in many of the same principles, as do I. What neither I nor they believe is that all goodness can be attributed to the Christian God. However, because we (even us non-Christians) are all made in his image and made as he wishes us to be, it would not be unreasonable or surprising for a Christian to believe that all our goodness can be attributed to him. However, my understanding of Christian beliefs (and I am not be any means suggesting that my understanding is complete and fully accurate) is that they believe that God gave man free will (?). Therefore, goodness can not be linked fully with God. People choose, at least to some extent, to be and behave the way that they are and do. While some may do their good acts for God, or to please God, some do not. For someone who does not believe in God, following His example is not likely to mean much - they don't believe there is an example there to follow. But, again, for those who do believe, it is no stretch to say that He is guiding us without revealing himself to us.

Answer 6

I can be good and have goodness around me without believing in a fictional character.

Religion does NOT make good people. In fact, in some extreme cases, religion has turned people into hateful, prejudice people who judge others because they differ from themselves (again, not all).

Yes, I got married. I did not have a religious ceremony. I had a 15 minute civil ceremony and was married by a boat captain. I didn't do it to be recognized before someone's god, or so I could have sex (cause I was having it for YEARS before I got married...). I got married because its been a dream of mine since I was a little girl to wear a white dress and have lots of people bring me lots of presents! lol

I believe in being good, I believe in living my life to the fullest. I just don't believe in god, heaven or hell. I believe this life is it, and I shouldn't waste it trying to be absolutely perfect for an "eternal" life that doesn't exist.

People are human, and people make mistakes. Some Christians call those people sinners. I call those people honest humans.

Answer 7

Come on people... extraterrestrial beings no longer being supernatural? provided that your atheist. God grew to become into an Alien. have not you study the Ezekiel financial ruin the place god will pay us a bypass to in his alien deliver. whats up no person is EVER going to cajole me that extraterrestrial beings do no longer pilot alien deliver's. The e book is prefaced as supernatural for pete's sake. There are 34 as against interior the bible that talks approximately extraterrestrial beings. Now if for some reason you think of they are supernatural, then which skill they stay right here on earth. So the place are they ??? God died some time past, it is likewise interior the bible, the place he's telling somebody that he wont be waiting to tend to them lots longer.

Answer 8

Ahhh, you seem to confuse religion and morality.

To me, that is perhaps the most troubling aspect of religion. Religious people do the "right" thing because they think they will get a reward or because they are afraid of being punished.

Free yourself from religion, and you can see that you should do the right thing simply because it is the right thing.

Perhaps you want to know how atheists can know what the right thing is without referring to a book? Well, guess what. It is the same way that Christians and other religious folks do. They use their judgement.

Christians believe that god wrote the bible. Not so, they are writing it themselves by interpreting what it means to them. Not a problem with me. I read the bible and interpret it, myself.

Answer 9

One does not need to believe in a deity to believe in goodness, morals, and the importance of keeping your promises. I maintain that if you need a deity to tell you these things, you have serious problems.

People can be good to each because it feels good, because we care about each other, and it brings rewards back to you by having friends and a peaceful, functioning environment.

You could say it's knowing god if you want... in a metaphoric sense, it's true.

Answer 10

To do what is morally correct is not to accept that there is a "god" or some other higher power. It comes down to "do unto others". That does not mean that you believe in "god", it means that you wish to be treated the way that you treat others.

Answer 11

Tortilla must qualify the deliverance of tattoo bones