Now, I'm not an atheist, but I believe in learning about different people's points of view.
I've heard from religious people that atheists have no real motivation to live ethical lives because they neither hope for heaven nor fear hell.
Nevertheless, many atheists live moral, ethical lives.
So my question is: what's the motivation? Why do some atheists live moral lives?
2006-11-12 13:20:41 · 12 answers · asked by Conrad 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you everyone for your responses so far. Once again: I am not here to accuse anyone or say that atheists don't have a reason for being moral. I'm just wondering what that reason is.
If you were talking to a person who is racist and they asked you why they should not be racist, I would hope you would respond with reason and understanding rather than defensiveness.
2006-11-12 13:55:03 · update #1
Because you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. If you practice any religion you will be healthy in this life and live happily in the next, so why not believe in a religion, even if you have doubts.
2006-11-12 13:23:42 · answer #1 · answered by kitty 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
My motivation for being ethical and "moral" as some religious people would put it is to better humankind. The way I see it, I can help make the world a better place by just being nice to others. The happier people are, the better the world will be. If we all hate and attack each other, we're all miserable.
My ethics and "morals" come from deciding whether or not something I say or do will hurt another. Like any good person, I try not to hurt another, but I also know that I'm only human and am far from perfect, so naturally, I know that while I try to avoid hurting others, it's inevitable that I screw up sometimes. Then the best thing to do is to apologize and make it right as soon as possible so the hurt doesn't linger and become hatred.
Religion doesn't have anything to do with it for me. To me, to be ethical and moral just to avoid a place like Hell so I can get a happy ending in Heaven doesn't make sense. To me, a person who does that is doing so for their own sake, not the sake of others.
2006-11-13 03:40:44 · answer #2 · answered by Ophelia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists have every reason to live an "ethical" life, because they believe in free will equality and evolution, the right to love who you choose male or female, the right for equality of the sexes, the equal rights of every race, the right to education based on facts not on myths.
why would you think an Atheist would want to live an unlawful hate filled life? Atheist dont cause wars, religions do.
Atheist live there lives based on scientific facts, understanding evolution and respecting the environment. Atheist know there is no creator, and the only way the world will survive is if we take care of it.
2006-11-12 13:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Aussieblonde -bundy'd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems you are saying that religious people are only good out of fear. What a sad idea, about religion and about society. Aren't people good and moral out of a sense of self-respect? Do Christians have exclusive rights on the golden rule? Should people only want to help others and make the world a better place because they think they will somehow be rewarded? Isn't goodness and morality its own reward? Sorry to answer a question with a whole handful of other questions, but I hope you follow my thought process.
2006-11-12 13:28:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The motivation to lead an ethical life should be to share the world with all in some symblance of balance. ethics are not limited to those of us who have religion; in fact, many religious people have showm an absolute lack of morals and ethics and as such should be ashamed to call themslves christians. If you are going to talk the talk then you had best be ready to pick up your cross and walk the walk. Atheists are human and have just as great of a benefit to gain from being ethical and moral. Most of the ones I have seen here are ethical and very well educated to boot. They are to be appreciated for their difference rather than in spite of it. God loves all whether you love him back or not.
2006-11-12 13:27:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
what do you mean whats the motivation? the way u put it is like just cos atheist don't believe in religion means they should not live a moral, ethical life? they are after all still human beings who have something call conscience.
2006-11-12 13:37:51 · answer #6 · answered by (coco) 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because I can see the benefit of good behavior in society. I can understand that we need to follow a common set of rules to be able to live a peaceful life and be able to enjoy life without disrupting others. I don't need someone to tell me why to behave, I just understand the benefits.
2006-11-12 13:28:02 · answer #7 · answered by ~ Sara ~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may well be because living a "moral" life is a damn sight easier than "moralising" about the beliefs or religions of others - works for me!!!!
2006-11-12 14:13:43 · answer #8 · answered by renclrk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New Age. You settle for a larger truth that filters into all the religions of the international. you're open to new thoughts outdoors of a rigid faith. you're extra non secular - the inner connection with God is extra major than the rituals of any given faith. besides the undeniable fact that, you interact in any rituals that are significant and major to you in my opinion and that deepen your non secular adventure. You observe of all religions and their doctrines, consisting of the Bible, for inspite of truths they carry that are significant on your seek for for enlightenment. you've stepped out of the "field" (or cage) and into the gentle. that is a clean age. besides the undeniable fact that, the time period "New Age" does not represent any particular idea. it isn't a faith. that is purely a extra open minded way of questioning, yet all those who might want to describe themselves as "New Age thinkers" are literally not alike of their beliefs. that is extra about looking what works for you as someone.
2016-11-29 02:12:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am ethical because it is a fit expression of who I am, not because I see it as a ticket on the glory train.
2006-11-12 13:24:54 · answer #10 · answered by just me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋