Are believers more ethical than atheists?

Answer 1

It depends on the individual for sure. The culture we live in, whether we are atheist or not, was formed originally with a religion or set of values. What society loses when it discards Judeo-Christian faith and belief in God is something far more difficult to replace: the value system most likely to promote ethical behavior and sustain a decent society. That is because without God, the difference between good and evil becomes purely subjective.

Obviously this doesn't mean that religious people are always good, or that religion itself cannot lead to cruelty. Nor does it mean that atheists cannot be beautiful, ethical human beings. But belief tied to clear ethical values is society's best bet for restraining our worst moral impulses and encouraging our best ones.

Answer 2

I would use the term MORAL rather than ethical. Lawyers consider themselves ethical and we all know what the general view is on lawyers.

The question is, what does a person use as a basis for their behavior? One view is, "If it feels good, do it." Another is, "G-d gave us commandments to follow." A third view is "Do that which betters the general welfare of all mankind."

Unfortunately with each you will find people twisting their logic so they can get what they want without breaking their basic rules.

A moral man will do what is right even if it hurts.

Answer 3

yes it does depend on the person...but i think religion does give you more ethics

for example
When my parents argue with me, even when they are wrong, I dont disrespect them. that is what my religion has taught me.

When i'm angry at someone, i swallow my anger because my religion has taught me to control anger and forgive

Even as a child, when i would want something really bad I would not steal it because i would think God is watching my every move. and because of that i have never stolen anything

Many men rape women because they think that if they are not caught, they dont have to worry about anything. But if they know that they will be punished by God, for he knows everything, they are more likely to stop those actions.

I'm not saying atheists are less ethical than anyone, but i do believe that a religious man is less likely do commit a crime than a non-religious man. and when i say religious i mean they follow their religious correctly.

Answer 4

"Ethics" are of human creation. So, those who keep creating and changing what ethics are for the moment will probably be better at them than one who is seeking to do that which is always "good".

God is interested in your fellowship with Him and your love for your neighbor.

Ethics are created by people who have their own view of is right in their eyes.

Answer 5

Depends on which 'believers' you're talking about. The same goes for atheists. In the end, it all comes down to a person choosing the right thing to do - it doesn't matter which is the belief (atheism is a belief too, right?) of that person.

Answer 6

in average, atheists are.

Christianity has been ruined for about 1700 years, ever since Constantine adopted it as rome's official religion. Christianity at that point turned political, as opposed to ethical.

Answer 7

Who's ethics?

Answer 8

Absolutly not. There's so many believers who do terrible things all the time, and use the church like a drug to feel better about what they've done after having their talk with the preacher, and then doing it again as if they can't control themselves. If you ask me, many believers take what they have for granted just like many non-believers.

Answer 9

I have become more ethical and behaved with more compassion since abandoning religion, because my concern now is my responsibility to my fellow human beings, not my responsibility to God.

Answer 10

You cannot base your judgment of someone's ethics on some label we have given them.

Unless, of course, that label is "unethical" or the like.