thoughts?
2007-04-10 11:30:31 · 7 answers · asked by anne p 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Even if there is a god, everything is permitted.
In the sense that anyone can do good or evil then the existence of god does not affect this. Theists have done terrible things and Atheists have done wonderful things. And vice versa. Unless god starts smiting evildoers like he is said to have done in the old days, he doesn't make a difference.
Admittedly, with a religion, there is normally a set of ethical beliefs that go along with the god belief. Whether these are a good set of ethical beliefs depends on the religion and the ethics of the person who is asking the question. The Spanish were disgusted by the human sacrifice carried out under the Mayan religion. On the other hand the Mayans might just as easily been disgusted by the tortures and executions carried out by the christian Inquisition.
With Atheists, ethical beliefs stem from natural law and the understanding is much more personal since there are no Atheist scriptures. Still, it is wrong to say that everything is permitted.
2007-04-10 11:34:05 · answer #1 · answered by Dave P 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Fyodor was quite a profound thinker in addition to being a fantastic author.
He usually says exactly what he means with every word, but I have to wonder if he wouldn't place at least a few provisions upon the word "everything."
I've never really been sure about his belief in God - I think he was struggling to be rid of the problem, actually. Several of his characters were at the very least agnostic in their thinking and he seemed fascinated by freethinkers.
For myself, an Atheist through and through... I can't agree that everything is permissible. That sort of tenon would simply lead to chaos and chaos is an unreasonable direction for one to head toward. I would have to say that the idea of "god" would be replaceable in this Dostoevsky's quotation and that instead "reasonable choice" would stand as a better monitor in its place.
((((( r u randy? )))))
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2007-04-10 11:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously that is false and absurd. Lots of things are not permitted. You don't need a god to limit what you can do. The world is based not on magical gods but on mathematical laws which restrict existence very profoundly.
2007-04-10 11:42:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My thoughts .... If man is the sum total of chemical reactions in the brain, just a complicated machine that evolved from nothing, how can he be regarded as responsible for any moral behavior? If there is no final judgement or a final judge in the next life, then there can be no true justice on earth.
2007-04-10 11:43:36 · answer #4 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course NOT! Read the Secular Humanist Manifesto.
You will be reassured.
2007-04-10 11:38:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no "permission" to give. One's actions are circumscribed by the tolerance of others. Thus has it always been, God or not.
2007-04-10 11:37:11 · answer #6 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Think about it... If you were living in an atheist community, do you honestly think they would allow you to steal or kill?
2007-04-10 11:47:49 · answer #7 · answered by skeptic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋