Why do religious theists say to atheists "You can do what you want, you aren't accountable to anyone"

Question

When the religious theist states that the atheist "can do what you want you aren't accountable to anyone" is this an unfair statement for two reasons?

1. The atheist and the theist are free to do what they want, we can choose to do right or wrong,

and

2. The atheist is still accountable to other people, ie laws of the jurisdiction and also reciprocity from neighbors for wrong action?

Answer 1

Clearly this is a rote cop-out response that the responder has not thought through in the slightest. Of course we are all at least accountable to ourselves, and that is often the biggest critic we have.

Anyone who makes that statement is grasping for a foundation to stand on.

Answer 2

Neither understand...fundamentally, you are only accountable to yourself.

Being 'accountable' to someone else is imaginary. There are multiple variables and consequences...but people take on those (often knowingly).

You are not accountable to gravity for jumping off a cliff...gravity is a force that has consequences for your actions. But you are accountable only for yourself for jumping off the cliff.

Likewise, if you break the law - you are not accountable to the laws of the jurisdiction. Those are just other forces that give other consequences. God or cosmic law (ie Karma) are just other forces.

In the end, you are only accountable to your self.

A truly civilized, enlightened, and/or evolved person does not need to be accountable to another. For someone who knows what is right and wrong, and what should be done and does it...it would be accord with God's wishes and so he or she would not need the Bible, laws of the jurisdiction, etc, etc...to tell him or her what is right or wrong.

You only need to be accountable to another when you are a dependent - a child.

(I am theist)

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 3

I've never seen or heard anyone say any such thing to any atheist (and I grew up with an atheist Dad) here or elsewhere. I can see that you are trying to make a point, but how about making it without making up some sort of issue that doesn't exist. It cheapens your argument or point or whatever it is that you want to say which is apparently---just because I'm an atheist, I still have to follow laws and whatever moral code I choose.

Okay, good for you! You do! You have a point...a rather obvious one that not too many are going to argue with, but I'm sure you'll get your requisite pats on the back for your "brilliance".

Answer 4

So you're saying Atheists accept some form of Higher Authority and accept the Commandments of that Higher Authority and also accept the concept of a living Hell known as prison.

Sounds religious to me!

Answer 5

Any theist who makes that statement should rather consider if he himself is instead an atheist. No common sense believer, even if not a practicing Christian, should ever make such a false and misleading statement.

Answer 6

More importantly Jim is the fact that atheists have to be accountable to society and THEMSELVES. Atheists don't have dieties to absolve them of their transgressions, therefore, atheists have to strive harder to be good people because the theists are just looking for any excuse to take them down, to point that finger and say "I told you so."

Answer 7

I've seen that alot in this forum... some christians just don't understand why anyone would be moral or law abiding without the threat of hell. The idea of morals coming voluntarily from the self is so alien to them it's odd. If there were no god, they'd run amok...

Answer 8

That is very true and Atheists arn't bad people thats what a lot of people don't get. But the problem is that they do not believe in God so there is no accountablity for what goes on in their mind. God not only looks at the outside, but also the mind and soul. Christians have to keep both outside and inside pure. And we often fail. That is why we then must ask for forgiveness.

Answer 9

I suppose if someone did say such a thing, it would indeed be an unfair statement for the reasons you list.

Answer 10

I suspect it makes theists uncomfortable to see that there are millions of decent people who need neither fear of punishment nor hope of reward in order to behave well. It must take away one of the reasons for theists to think that their religious beliefs are justified.