How do atheists guide their children, when what is moral is beyond reason?

Question

I mean Atheists don't believe in GOD because they think it is unreasonable.

So how on earth do they manage to correct their children with reason, when humanity needs forgiveness and consideration which cannot be reasoned out?

Answer 1

because they are (1) not consistent with their own words, because they are (2) dishonest.
Honest atheist would recognize that there are no morality or sense or values. That human life is no more presious than that of bacteria. But since they all live in the society with theists (Christians) they BORROW other's moral guidelines and then say that morals do not exist, while living by htem.
pure hypocracy

p.s. if some atheist would say that reason guides them. Well, next question is how does one know if his reasons are "evolved" enough. For instance Nazis thaught that (using quite reasonable Darwinian approach) that they are right. So, how can we know if Nazis are right or wrong? Also, where did reason came from and why we should listen to it? IF reason is a product by chaotic meaningless chance, then there is no reason to listen to reason...
;-)

Answer 2

To start off, people who don't believe in a god do not think morality is beyond reason. They know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, moral and immoral. On the other hand they don't need a 'god' to guide them and tell them everything when someone with half a brain can figure that out on his or her own.

They also have forgiveness, consideration and understanding which are not derived from religion. The only thing that atheists find beyond reason is the idea of a god. In fact the only difference between christian and atheist parents are that christian parents bring their kids to church and teach them to believe in a god while atheist parents don't. Everything else is the same.

Answer 3

Just because you don't believe in a god doesn't mean that you don't know the difference between right and wrong morally. You can correct your child without resorting to what would god do or you will go to hell if you do that. Religion has been the cause of more deaths throughout human history than any other cause. There is a difference between not believing a 2000 year old fairy tale and not being moral. I treat people as I am treated.

Answer 4

Morality is a Learned behavior. A newborn child has NO morals; it must be taught them.

An atheist may or may not have morals, just like anyone else. Lack of religion does NOT preclude morality.

The ability to love and raise children is not dependent on religion.

Morals are society's way of getting along, and they are reached by concensus. They are the very product of reason. You might want to try a good philosophy course.

Answer 5

Morals are not beyond reason. (Well maybe for you, but it need not be that way.)

Check out the Monolaw.

Forgiveness and consideration can, by the way, both be figured out.

And using God as some sort of moral guide has downright failed throughout history. Don't you think the 911 terrorists were relying on "God as a rule of morality" when they committed their acts of immorality. Sheeeesh.

Answer 6

Premise is not correct. Consideration is perfectly reasonable; the Golden Rule is sound psychology, even if it comes from a notoriously flawed source. I did nothing whatever to expose my children to religious concepts of any sort when they were growing up, and they are now solid citizens of the sort of which any parent would be proud. (Of course, I am completely unbiased in this opinion!)
More generally, we need a sound foundation for a system of morals, and it is clear that religion is not satisfactory. The answer comes from evolution, which applies to societies as well as species: a society based on sound moral principles will survive preferably to one that does not. (We see this in the collapse of the Soviet Union.) Hence, the proper moral standard for any proposed action must be: is it beneficial to society, detrimental to society, or of no significance? Of course, reason must be carefully applied to deal with this, remembering that many actions have unexpected and/or unintended consequences.

Answer 7

"So how on earth do they manage to correct their children with reason, when humanity needs forgiveness and consideration which cannot be reasoned out?"

Since when do religions have the monopoly on morality, forgiveness, and consideration? Oh, right. They don't. Religion and morality are not mutually inclusive.

Those traits you mention have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with which imaginary being you chose to worship.

Answer 8

Morality has nothing to do with a person's religion (or lack of belief). Belief and morality are separate issues. Most of my atheist friends who have children have rather intelligent, well-balanced kids. They don't need to threaten their kids with hellfire or divine retribution to get them to behave. Rationalism works better as a motivator than you might think. I'm not an atheist, but don't believe that good parenting techniques are tied in with religion any more than morality is. These are separate issues altogether.

Answer 9

You are buying into too much of what they teach you in church. There are lots of reasons to be moral beside the carrot and stick of heaven and hell.

We can teach our children to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. If that is too much for them then the Golden Rule always works.

Reason is a great guide if you are taught to use it.

a

Answer 10

Ethics and religion are not mutually inclusive. A person can have high moral standards and ethics and no religion. Some Catholic priests are child rapists. Ted Haggard whored around on Saturday night and preached against it on Sunday morning. The most ethical people I've known are not religious.

Answer 11

Moral life outside the framework of religion requires personal responsibility and true consideration. Morality within religion is hardy more than domestic animal obedience.

The ethical atheist trailblazer is far more moral a character than the obedient follower of a bible that condones incest, rape, slavery, infanticide and racism.