What if there is no God? What values would you then adopt?

Question

Most people derive their values from religious doctrines. Everyone does some modification, but neverthless the source is the same.

However, suppose you discovered one day that there was no God, would you still believe your moral code was right? After some serious thought, you might then realize that no of those values have any true basis, and that you could very well chose to follow a better or more practical moral-code, one that you own.

What code would you then devise?

Please share some of yours, and give your non-religious rationale for them code or value.

Answer 1

You're absolutly right, people do derive their morals from religious docrines. All the ones I was taught came from the Bible, as a child.

I would get 2 different types of birth control and have sex with whoever the hell I'd wish, with no precautions.

Iw ouldn't feel bad about laughing my *** off when my very gay best friend toldme before his husband met him, he was going to be a priest.

I'd post a sign on my church carnival day, that says " must be this high to ride Father Michael" and wouldn't feel bad at all about doing so.

I'd kick my old high school bio teacher in the nuts for saying I'd never amount to anything.

And plenty more....

Answer 2

You are correct that our Western morality is based upon the Judeo-Christian ethic, but that has evolved into greater tolerance over the centuries since the times of the Inquisition, for instance. If it were suddenly to be proven beyond a doubt that god does not exist, I wonder what the resultant world behavior might be. Some of our current morality is surely inspired by fear of God, although the concept of his forgiveness for sins allows for leeway in activities which can then be repented. Institutions and mentoring adults would have to teach morality for morality's sake to children. As for myself, an agnostic but one with a religious upbringing, I wish to live a life which affords me relative peace of mind, to have a reasonably positive influence upon my place in the world. How much of that is the effect of my former indoctrination, I can not know. Still, I am not above making waves occasionally. Your question, I think, could be better answered after a generation or two during which religions voluntarily disbanded and a totally secular society evolved. Communism attempted to oppress organized religion, but immediately upon its own dissolution, religions flourished again. It may be that the majority of the population would not believe the nonexistence of god any more than they do now when faced with the apparent logic of professed atheists...
Addendum: I hope that the morality of our world is not solely based upon our fear of God and his wrath/damnation for our sins or the reward of heaven which God may grant us for good behavior and belief in his principles/son...

Answer 3

If everyone 'discovered' there was no God: There would no longer be any need for local law officers, courts, jails nor prisons. Simple human morals wouldn't exist, you see people being pulled from homes into the streets where the mobs would hang, stab, shoot, rape men & the wives children son/daughters stores would close due to thefts and looting. then starvation of the weakest and the strongest taking over the food chain. Reverting back to tribal ways , lost technology due to drastic changes withen 4 decades man would be luck to remember how to make fire.

Answer 4

My moral code is based on common sense and reason. Regardless of whether the Gods existed or not, I'd still follow pretty much the same code of honor. I don't think I would ever abandon that. Personally, I think the Nine Noble Virtues as a guideline are much better then a list of don'ts and thou shall nots.

Answer 5

A lot of religious people do good deeds in exchange for salvation or pleasing god but as an atheist, I think you can be a good person out of humanity, the fact that morals and human emotions are always associated with religion kind of doesn't say much about people, they cant't be human without religion?

Answer 6

I already follow a practical moral code. Help others, respect all, do no harm. And God or no, it's a good way to live.

Answer 7

Pretty much the same ones I have now. Treating people bad never appealed to me, God or no God. Religion or God shouldn't shape your morals. They should be based on what you think is right and how you would like to be treated.

Answer 8

if there is no god you adopt your own beliefs such as choosing your own religion. Therefore when you choose your own religion there is no code but i believe the best religion to choose would be an Atheist

Answer 9

Pretty much the values I've already adopted.

Oh, wait... that's because I'm an atheist...

Hey, at least it makes sense!

Answer 10

a rediculous question usually requires a rediculous response but I will spare you that punishment.
There is a God!