Atheists: Do you have a specific moral code? On what do you base it?

Question

This is a real question. Maybe you would call it a personal "code of conduct" or something else. Do you base it on experience, the 10 commandments ( not a trick question. you don't have to believe in God to think the comandments are a good idea) or something else?
For us to function in a society we have acceptable forms of behavior ( other then the law )

Some good answers so far. Please, keep them coming.

Answer 1

fantastic question.
being born and raised by english white christian parents i would say that my own moral code of conduct would be mainly based upon that. there are a lot of good things about christianity, even though i don't believe in god in that respect.
fastinating to think how other atheists from different backgrounds base theirs, and what differences/similarities there may be...

Answer 2

I'm not an atheist...but I think I can add my two cents. As people develop cognitively, they are able to think without being egocentric (as a child does). They can put themselves in someone else's shoes and know that since they wouldn't like to have belongings stolen from them, they should not steal from someone else. People in turn guide their children as to what behavior is and is not appropriate until the child is fully able to understand the consequences of their actions. The only people who really need "codes of conducts" are people who are have not fully developed mentally. This would explain why psychopaths can kill without understanding or caring about the consequences. The law is in place because not everyone feels it necessary to do the "right" thing (take a look at who is filling the jails---there's not a whole lot of highly intelligent people in there).

If all of the above seems like a reasonable explanation.....what does that say about the people who really feel the 10 commandments are necessary?

Answer 3

opposite to primary theory, Christians do no longer have confidence that morals come from the Bible.We have confidence that morals have been instilled in ALL human beings on the grounds that Adam and Eve first sinned. while we combat over morals, we're not extremely scuffling with over whether something is acceptable or incorrect.we try to be certain which version suits up maximum suitable with the regulation that God has implanted in each and each of our hearts. The Bible evidently states what all human beings have inscribed of their beings. this would not propose that we obey the regulation, because of the fact we don't. no one yet Jesus ever has. that's the place atheists get their ethical code considering that's the place anybody gets their ethical code. the ethical code, whether they deny it and refuse to obey it.

Answer 4

Sure, the ten commandments are mostly good, like the thou shalt not murder, lie, steal, ect. I also feel that I don't do anything to others. Why does it bother you that if people don't follow your particular code of ethics it's bad. God, you guys must be like always very anxious and have high anxiety worrying about what the rest of the world is doing. I base my code of ethics on humanity and also alot on psychology and sociology and science. I don't base it on being afraid of an invisible man in the sky.

Answer 5

The "10 commandments" are the basis of most European (therefore by default American ) law. That is a historical fact. Of course, all societies have something very similar, showing that humans throughout history, and across the world, have a common (so probably very early) social structure.

Answer 6

You can't possibly base moral code or conduct on the bible, certainly not the old testament.


How do you know that slavery, abortion and rape are wrong? the generic; "do unto others..",

how lame.

Our morals come from living a VERY long time in society and becoming civilized,
we have NEVER been more moral than we are today.....so obviously it has NOTHING to do with the bible for sure.

come now.

Answer 7

Sentiment, which is the basis of following ANY moral code, including following a religious moral code. Christians do not base their morality on the ten commandments, but how they feel about their interpretation of the ten commandments.

Answer 8

The code is 10,000 years older than the 10 commandments. It's called "common sense"

Answer 9

Everyone knows right from wrong. People who need a God to tell them are deficient.

The main reason to have a God, is so you will have a magical land far far away where you will be rewarded for stuff you should have done anyway.

The purpose of Hell is to have a place to send people who disagree with you. Ain't faith wonderful?

Answer 10

I'm not exactly an atheist, but I am sure it would vary from one to another - for some it could be their own common sense values (not doing to others what you don't want done to yourselves); for others it could be values learned from the family; for others it could be their conscience. Don't think of atheism as a single religion. It just means they don't believe.