Athough Atheists don't follow a religion, don't they adopt morals from other religions?

Question

For instance, an atheist does not believe in sexual abstinence till marriage - but would he be ok with murdering people for money (there is no religious teaching that tells him to be a good person)?

Answer 1

Don't ask me. I'm just a simple Lord and Saviour.

Answer 2

I'm sorry but you should really think about these things more thoroughly.Because those values are just common sense and also naturally instinctive.You don't have to believe in a higher power to agree with that stuff.
Then not to mention the fact that almost all the laws in whatever country you live in coincide with a religion . So if you dont follow some of that stuff, you will be doing some time in jail or even killed, and as you know, atiests do only believe that they are alotted one life right? This is all you get, so don't waste it.. (Thats what that John Lennon song about bein a dreamer was all about.)
They are usually not anarchists, they just believe something besides the common religion and believe that our existence was evolved and not created.
I am not one but I used to be one.

Answer 3

Morals and religion are not the same thing. Just because someone is Atheist, does not mean that they do not believe in honesty, family values, abstinence, peace, non violence, kindness to fellow man, etc. Religion does not automatically mean you have morals and absence of religion does not mean you are amoral. That is an oversimplification of humanity and right and wrong.

Answer 4

No religion adopted morality from the Hammurabi Code and other ancient legal codes. You don't need an ancient book of religion to look through to find out if murder hurts.

Answer 5

Atheism simply means that one does not believe in God, it does not mean that one is deviod of morality.

Answer 6

morality is possible without religion.

Answer 7

*Please Kindly & Very Patiently read. Thanks*

I share with you to educate you, not because I have any ill-thoughts or ill-feelings toward you.
Honestly.

Buddhists have no creator god, but we have morals and ethical standards in which we live by which are within the Dhammapada.
The Noble Eightfold Path is merely a guideline of standards to live by in order not to harm others, but guides us to walk in unconditional loving-kindness, compassion, attruism, patience,
mercy, wisdom, and understanding toward others and ourselves as well. We do not adopt morals, standards or ethical standards from religions. In essence, Buddhism is not really a religion, for what constitutes a large group of people as being a religion is the belief in a creator god. And Buddhism has no creator god.
Some actually consider Buddhism more Agnostic, rather than Atheistic, because we are open-minded. Though we do not believe in a creator god, as does Hinduism{Brahma - the
creator god of Hinduism), Judaism {YHWH), Islam {Allah), Christianity {Triune Godhead =
The Father God, Jesus - the word made flesh/ the Son, and The Holy Spirit), we are open minded, in that "if" the existence of a god could be scientifically proven to us, we would believe.
An Atheist is totally convinced that No One could ever, ever prove to them that a creator god exists, therefore it is very difficult for most {not all, but most) atheists to be open to the belief that a creator god, might exist.
The Eightfold Path {the moral and ethical standards we live by) are as follows:
Introduction first: the eightfold path is similiar, in a sense, to how a christian is suppose to Transform their minds according to Rom. 12:2 in the bible. And as Paul said in Phil 4:8;7a = if a person thinks on these things {vs 8) Paul said
then Peace, that tranquil state of mind, will serve as you guide. And as a result, the christian will love all people unconditionally {1 Cor. 13:4-7;11 - thinking no evil or negative thoughts about others, but will thinking maturely, and will not judge, criticize, or condemn others, as Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-5. My aunt is christian and we mutually respect one another and love one another unconditionally. She is lead by Peace, and is very patient, as 1 Cor. 13:4 says unconditional love is. Patience, in Buddhism is the antidote to anger. In Pali, Patience is definded as being internally calm, peaceful, and undisturbed, even in the face of harm or difficulties. This is Patience, the Patience, as I perceive - that Jesus demonstated in life. And the patience I believe he wants christians, which have a renewed/transformed mind {Rom. 12:2) to demonstate lovingly toward all people.
*That was a brief introduction, which should help.
The Noble Eightfold Path:
1) Wise/Right Understanding/View - having a clear, right view/understanding governs our attitudes, thoughts, speech, and actions. It is the forerunner to the other 7 factors within the Eightfold Path. These views condition our actions. They lie behind our choices and goals, and our efforts to turn these goals from ideals into actuality. "In the fullest measure, wise view involves a correct understanding of the entire Dhammapada{the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama)." There is so much more to Wise View, but only so much space is available, and time for you to read this.
2) Wise/Right Intention or Wise/Rt. Thoughts - Wise Thoughts is threefold: the intention of renunciation {vaguely similiar to Do Not be conformed to this world, but be transformed),
the intention of good-will, and the intention of harmlessness. These three are oppossed to the three parallel kinds 1 wrong intention = intention governed by desires. 2 intention governed by ill-will 3 intention governed by harmfulness. When the thoughts and intentions of our minds are right, then our speech and actions will be right. There is much more to Wise/Right Thoughts/Intentions, but time is short.
3) Wise/Right Speech - fourfold = abstaining from false speech{lying), abstaining from slanderous & gossiping speech, abstaining from harsh speech{be gentle, soft-spoken), abstaining from idle chatter{& harmful joking) (like the bible verse that says {my aunt shared with me) Let no unwholesome words come out of your mouth, but only that which edifies another), also we are to speak only at the right time, in accorance with all the facts, being disciplined in speech is impt. and very useful. And the Eightfold Path was written over 2,500 yrs ago, by Siddhartha Gautama.
Speech has enormous consequences, which can easily harm others, or build them up. In order for the buddhist to have right speech, he must have wise/right thoughts. {My aunt told me their is a scripture which says "out of the abundance of the heart/mind, the mouth speaks)
It is very important that we are careful about what we choose to think on. Buddhists too believe, (for it was taught 2,500 yrs ago) that what we think on the most, will come out eventually, in our speech. Wise/Right speech is very important.
4) Wise/Right Action - as follows: abstaining from taking a life {No not kill any living thing, for all life is sacred/holy), abstaining from taking what is not freely given{incl. do not be deceitful in any way, to get what you want), abstaining from sexual misconduct. Because of following of the following guidelines {the Eightfold Path), which has been observed by Buddhists [for 2,500 yrs] there has never been a war in the name of Buddhism.
5) Wise/Right Livelihood: one must earn a living in a righteous way for oneself and family. Do not have an occupation which would cause harm to others, or kill another. And one should acquire his wages honestly, wholely, righteously, and without lying or deceit.
6) Wise/Right Effort: to prevent the arising of
unarisen unwholesome states in the mind,, (ie: anger, lusts, greed, aversion, hatred, pride, etc.), to abandon any already arisen unwholesome states in the mind,, to arouse unarisen wholesome states in the mind, to maintain arisen wholesome states in the mind. These are "very" difficult to understand unless one has already studied Buddhism for a while.
7) Wise/Right Mindfulness - mindfulness is presence of mind, attentiveness, focus, concentration, totally paying attention, a disciplined mind {thought-life as well).
Mindfulness exercises a very powerful stable, grounding function. It anchors the mind securely in the present, so we are not living foolishly in the past, or worrying about the future. Mindfulness is the anchor for serenity{peace of mind) and insight. Mindfulness serves as the guard with the responsibility of making sure that our mind does not slip away/or get distracted, in random undirected thoughts. It is mindfulness which greatly aids us in Patience also {recall it the the ability to remain internally calm, peaceful, and undisturbed, even in the face of harm or difficulties). There is so.....very much more to Right/Wise Mindfulness. This gives you a very short overview.
8) Wise/Right Concentration {Meditation is another word used for concentration).
It takes much, much practice, patience and time to cultivate Wise Concentration. There is
Insight Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation, Loving-kindness Meditation we do for other people, and also for ourselves. The acquirement of Wise/Right Concentration {meditation) makes the mind strong, powerful, stable, humble, gentle, steady, still, peaceful, balanced, harmonious, unified, and loving.

Life is suffering, in that we are born {suffering coming out of the mother's womb for the child), aging and sickness and eventual death. And there are many other degrees of suffering, from pain, despair, sorrow, grief, disappointments, living with unwholesome mental/emotional factors {ie, anger, lusts, selfishness, greed, hatred, pride, etc.) all cause us suffering. Not always receiving what we think we should have, causes suffering. And so much more.
The Eightfold Path not only serves as a guideline of morals, and ethical standards, to live righteously, but it also frees us from our suffering. Transforming our minds, is the means to transforming our lives to acquire true peace of mind, and Happiness. Even after only being a student of Buddhism for only a year I had already acquired much peace of mind and happiness, and much of my suffering caused by ignorance {which ignorance is caused by all the unwholesome mental/emotional factors) has already been dissolved away, and has been replaced with Loving-kindness, self"less"ness,
Patience, Joy, PEACE, Gentleness, Altruism, Mercy toward others, wholesome thoughts speech actions, purpose in life, and so much more. Buddhism teaches to respect the free will of others, therefore we share with others as they ask.

* I did practice sexual abstinence till marriage, I was a virgin until I was married, and I was married at the age of 28. My wife and I {both Buddhists, were virgins until we were married).
Anyone whether they are virgins or not, practice Buddhism. Just as your god is no respector of persons, bible says in Romans, Buddhism is no respector of persons.
Buddhists do not think we are better than anyone else. We are always learning humility.
No buddhist will say that he or she is a humble person.

[I've share this with you calmly} to educate/inform you that Buddhists do have very strong, right/wise morals and ethical standards we live by. As a result, it produces very wholesome, healthy relationships with family, friends, and everyone we come in contact with. Even those who do much harm to us, we value - for they are used as our greatest teachers, aiding us to cultivate altruism, and patience in life.
Life is Great, if we have an optimistic attitude !

Thank You for your Question. I hope I was able to shed some insight on the fact that we, who do not believe in a creator god, most definatley have do have strong, wise moral and ethical standards in which we live by, thus it produces peacefulness for us and those we come in contact with.

I hope you had the Patience to read my answer to you. Have a Great Week, and coming wkend.