Why do Christian's seem to think that one must have god to be moral?

Question

Myself and most of the atheists i know personally or respect for whatever reason have a perfectly good understanding and practice of morality. I would even argue that the morality of an atheist is more genuine than that of a believer simply because it's not bolstered by reward (heaven) or enforced by punishment (hell).

Ethics are the abilities to taylor ones actions to suit the greater good. They aren't written in stone, nor do they come from a book or an invisible man in the sky. They come from reason, understanding, and the willingness to do what's right.

Answer 1

well that is certainly not true it doesn't matter what your religious or non religious beliefs are anybody whether they be satanists pagans christians muslims hindus buddhists and many other religious groups or even non religious groups such as atheists or agnostics such as myself can be moral or immoral morals come from our parents instilling certain values in us as well as reason logic common sense and empathy and if a person chooses to do wrong there's always the legal sytem as well to enforce punishment

Answer 2

If morality isnt written in stone then morality becomes a subjective matter. Things like murder, rape, and stealing are not WRONG, just merely disagreeable to some. You seem to hold the traditional values of society that say such things are wrong but the problem is your basis for believing them and following them is merely subjective and depends on how you think or feel about them; when we all know things are right and wrong apart from how we feel about them.

On the other hand, the Christian believes that God is grounding for morality and that sinful activities are not wrong merely because we think they are wrong but God has declared from the beginning of time what is right and wrong and set that template deep into our spirits. We all know evil things are wrong deep down, that is why we feel a huge need to excuse or rationalize evil behavior when committed. The Christians motives however are not selfish (risk vs reward) but merely have the eternal consequences in mind that come with God dispensing ultimate justice. If there is no God, then there is no ultimate justice. The guy that killed your mother and burned down your house, if not caught by the law, goes away eteranally scott-free. That is not a just world and that is where atheistic philosophy fails. You are forced to live in a world that is truly unjust and absurd.

Answer 3

I am Pagan. I don't believe in the ten commandments as a religious rule to follow, but I find myself following the rules it lays out. Not because I think "god" told me to, and not because I believe I will go to hell if I don't follow the rules. I do it because I know what would hurt if it was done to me, and I know what is right and what is wrong. I don't believe in god but I have never killed anyone, won't cheat on my s.o. I don't steal and am in general a good person. Religion has nothing to do with the kind of person you are, or the actions you do.

One last thing. In my opinion if you need threatening or bribing to do the right thing, well that doesn't say much for the kind of person you are, now does it. If you go to church and don't steal because you want to get into heaven, not because it's what you believe is right and what you want to do, well then that doesn't really count. And if you really wanted a new xBox 360 but couldn't afford it, and didn't steal one because you were afraid you would go to hell for it you might as well have done it anyway because it is the intention behind the act, not just the acts themselves.

Answer 4

Yes I still feel people can lead a moral life probably learned or taught from there parents example Either way a moral life is a good thing religious or not.

Answer 5

“carry a sturdy judgment of right and incorrect.”—a million PETER 3:sixteen. How do you're making a determination it quite is in keeping with judgment of right and incorrect? some, it variety of feels, purely seem interior, study their emotions, and settle on what to do. they'd then say, “nicely, it doesn’t worry my judgment of right and incorrect.” the needs of the heart could be very reliable, even swaying the judgment of right and incorrect. The Bible says: “the heart is greater treacherous than something and is desperate. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) What our heart needs, then, should not be the main needed attention. extremely, we'd opt to evaluate first what is going to please Jehovah God. it quite is taken into consideration necessary that our judgment of right and incorrect be the two sparkling in our eyes and sparkling in God’s eyes.—Acts 23:a million; 2 Timothy a million:3. further: nicely, what classes you? needless to say our very own emotions can direct us the incorrect way. The bible says that guy can't direct his very own steps - Jerimiah 10:23. Why do you think of certainly one of those great form of human beings commit fornication, adultery and violence immediately? with the aid of fact they act on what they experience. they do no longer evaluate the different person's emotions first and that they purely evaluate their very own and what they want NOW. it quite is a egocentric mindset.

Answer 6

Then think of the Bible as a playbook. I don't get to decide what is moral, and you don't get to decide what is moral, and Jim Jones, nor David Koresh, nor Adolf Hitler gets to decide what is moral.

Man's morality can be on a sliding scale. If we adhere to God's morality, it never changes. I have no doubt that you and most non-believers are good-hearted people, surrounded and influenced by a Christian culture, but in your community, who gets to define "good" ? and what if your idea of good is different from your neighbor?

I know you know what I mean.

Answer 7

Okay Okay I have messed up and made that comment before as well. But in reality atheist CAN live a moral life without God--its true, but can you defend that life and explain why it should be lived that way? The answer to that is in the negative.

Answer 8

have chosen reality of the fact of God sending His Son for a relationship with Him. of course all people can be moral because we are made in Gods image.and have seen studies that find that Christians are 40 percent more likely to give then any other group. and it is not based on fear. and ethics have come straight from God , because you do not find it in other animal groups expect humans.

Answer 9

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Be as moral as you want, doesn't do any good. Since Adam we've all been born flawed. Only Christ can fix us.

Answer 10

all morality is based off the 10 commandments and I think God was the author