If there is no God. Is there such thing as right and wrong? Good or Evil?

Question

Is man the measure all things in an athiest world? Is osma bin laden only evil in America, but since he is a hero in parts of the middle east does that make him good too? So morals and virtues are dictated by society? My real question is how does an athiest know if anything is right or wrong because absolute truth can not exsist in a relative world?

Answer 1

You have raised a very real problem for moral relativity. If there is no universal moral standard by which everything must be measured, right and wrong is no more than mere opinion. Many atheists claim the golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" saying its common sense. But that does not answer the question of what higher moral authority or code are they appealing to? If they face someone who wants to do evil to them, to what higher authority do they assume when they cry injustice? If morals are ultimately only opinion how can anyone say any action is truly wrong? That is why I believe the problem of evil actually argues FOR the existence of God rather than against it. Atheists may say they do not believe in the existence of a universal moral standard but when they are personally wronged they act as though they do believe in such a standard. Atheism is not workable.

Answer 2

Say for example or hypothetical... your position is taken.
Then first yes... there is right and wrong, just as there is black and white and there could be an absolute.

Values stem for the most part what you are taught, and when you mature.. those values are either integrated into who you are , or you start to challenge those values. I believe personally, that good and evil have been defined... by the intial ten commandments, not because of teaching, but because they are correct philosophically. Therefore Osama bin laden may be a hero to many, as was hitler, both equally evil, both murderers, both individuals playing god.

True goodness and righteousness stem from compassion and truth, where all darkness stems from lies and twisting of the truth, to justify injustice.

Answer 3

There are laws made to protect you from harm. Yes there is such a thing as right and wrong. For example: We have stop signs so that people don't run into each other and get hurt. The same goes with traffic lights. It would be wrong to deliberately run a red light and crash into another car and kill or severely injure everyone in that car. The right thing to do is stop and wait your turn. And yes, there is a God who created the earth on which we live.

Answer 4

Your assertion that "absolute truth can not exist in a relative world" is correct. This is why we must move from a relative world where we tolerate differences of religious belief (running planes into buildings is wrong here, running planes into buildings is right there) to a world where ethics and moral behavior is determined without religious influence.

Religion is not the answer, it is the problem. Eliminate religion, and the world will be a better place.

Answer 5

I believe in god. But for argument sake, if there wasn't then what is right would be to minimize pain and suffering during life (also true if god exists). Thus anything that causes pain and suffering would be wrong. If something causes you pain and suffering and keeps you from happiness then it is also true in general. If something hurt you wouldn't you consider it wrong. Everyone else would as well. In general laws of society are created for these reasons and should be obeyed. The goal of every human should be to minimize pain for humans and all other creatures where possible at all times. This doesn't mean one should not work hard, working hard is rewarding and fulfilling. This also doesn't mean society or any one person should hoard material possessions and wealth, many have done so in the past and in general they are all unhappy and unfulfilled. Other aspects can be generalized as well, one example is learning (education). Education improves ones ability to provide for themselves, make informed decisions, helps society and that person live a happier life as well as making the person happy during the process of learning. Others like murder and war are clearly wrong due to all the suffering and pain they cause those involved in the process and themselves as a result of there actions. Human nature has shown us they those who can listen and forgive others, admit when they are wrong, and are generally kind to others live happier and more fulfilled lives as others are more open and attracted to these people. Those who hurt others, don't listen to others, fail to admit wrong and don't forgive live unhappier lives with more pain. I will cut it short not to put people to sleep, but the general idea is simple.

Answer 6

There is no absolute rule of right or wrong in nature, as there are no absolute situations for every act to occur in. The only rational proposition is that in general some things are more right than others. The specific situation determines any exceptions to that, and otherwise determines the degree to which a thing is more right, or more wrong, etc.
Atheists believe in the Golden Rule as one of the best ways to determine right action, and you must admit that this is a situational rule that all religions endorse as well.

Answer 7

Here we come down to a question of morals vs. ethics. Without a God are morals necessary? No. What you choose to do yourself that doesn't affect anyone else is entirely up to you. Ethics, however--the way one treats other people around them--is far more absolute and will always be in place, God or no God, so long as there are people.

Answer 8

Like you pointed out, it is always relative. OBL is a hero to many, although keep in mind that most of them, him included, actually aren't atheists at all, so your whole thesis collapses there. He is a hero, in fact, BECAUSE they believe in God as they were told s/he is. Ditto re. The Great Inquisition and Christianity, or the countless acts of the American, very religious conservative politicians. So, to wrap it up, I believe that "good" and "bad" exist really only in the good people's common sense, the major religions as the religious leaders present them today are gross pervesions of anything good.

Answer 9

Every belief has to start with an assumption. While you may assume that God exists, and your morals come from God, I assume that right and wrong exist, and structure my life around what i believe to be right or wrong. I don't spend much time worrying about why it is wrong to chop someones head off, and alot of people who believe in god don't really wonder how he actually came into existence.

Answer 10

Let me tell it to you this way, its funny my Pastor was just talking about this today, there is definately is A God and we will ALL be judged by Him it won't matter how good you are if you don't repent, before you die, you will go to hell it is written I think in Revelation or Matthew but, it says that, basically, if your name isn't written in the book of life, there will be 2 Angels that WILL grab you by your arms and throw you into the lake of fire FOR ALL ETERNITY!! think about it, burning forever not ever, ever getting water torment day in and day out forever PLEASE repent of your sins whatever you have done He loves you sooooo much!! ask for forgiveness and let Jesus into your life because we can only go to Heaven through Him, Jesus because He died for ALL of our sins.
Hope this answered your question