Atheists, what do you live for?

Question

What exactly do you live for? And hope in? Not being bound by "religious rules" and not believing in an afterlife, what keeps you from becoming hardened criminals in society, doing anything you please? There is no reward for being good, honest people, so what compels you (if you do lead a moral life)? What do you strive for in life and why, if it just leads to nothing?

Serious question folks. I'm looking real answers. I think a majority know what, say Christians live for. I'm just looking for honesty.

I'm not asking for a boat load links for sources . I'm looking for personal answers. For this question, there is no better appreciated source than your own mind :)

Please don't misunderstand my intention of "being a criminal". I only am wondering why people have morals at all. Christians believe God is the source of all that is good, but without God, what is the motivation to be good?

I apologize to all who misinterpret my question as thinking atheists are all criminals. I never said that. I also never said that Christians are "good people" only wishing for reward. I'm sorry if it sounded as such.

Answer 1

Would you STOP being a good person if you found out there was NOT a God???

Of course not!

Why do you think there is no reward for being good if you are an atheist? I don't have to believe in God to feel good about living a moral life, helping others, raising a child to be a good person, etc.

I live that way because it makes me feel good and because I was raised to think it was the right thing to do.

EDIT: If you want a serious discussion of this question (which is really an excellent one) please email me.

Answer 2

Come on, now. Are you saying that you're only not a criminal because of a fear that you won't be REWARDED?
We are all born with intelligence, common sense, empathy for our fellow man, and the ability to understand the consequences of our actions. I'm not a criminal because I'm a good person. I care about my life, I care about my family, my friends, my neighbors, and my society. My "reward" is that I can look at myself in the mirror every day and know that I am living a good life, and setting a good example for my children. My "reward" is knowing that I am not bringing unnecessary pain to others. My "reward" is hoping that maybe I'll leave this world a little bit of a better place than it was when I got here.
If you're only being a good person because you're looking for a "reward" in some afterlife, or because you're afraid of some "punishment" if you aren't good, then you aren't really and TRULY good, are you? I would think that if there WAS a God, he would see through the facade, and see that you only are being a good person for selfish reasons. We should really give ourselves a little more credit, and understand that we CAN be good people just for the sake of being good people.

Answer 3

What keeps me from becoming a hardened criminal? Hmm.... This is a hard one... My morals. I don't want to disappoint people, and I don't want to feel guilty.

And from your questions, it seems like you think everything is about this "heaven" place, and earth is just a side trip.

Why do I strive for things? Because I want them, and know that if I don't get them now, I won't have them ever.

And I do whatever I please. But being guilty DOESN'T please me, so I try not to do things that I think I will regret.

Guess what? I've never shoplifted. I've never tried any type of drugs, other than the ones that were prescribed to me by a certified doctor. I've never skipped school, or cut class. I've never tried any alcohol, and don't plan to. I have never been kissed, (That is by my choice, not because of the guys.). I plan on leaving sex until after marriage. CAN YOU SAY THE SAME OF YOURSELF?

Answer 4

I am not an atheist, but I am compelled to answer your question anyway. Nor am I a Christian. I do however, believe in GOD, just to clarify. Who says an athiest can't be good, honest, people just because they don't have religion or God? Remember, if you are so religious yourself, then you would know that God believes in US, always, and forgives people for being humans. Yes, even atheists have a soul, a spirit, whether or not they believe in it. They don't have to believe in anything, just believe that you believe and pray for them since you are such a Christian. LIVE AND LET LIVE. God never wanted us to be so harsh on one another and be so judgemental. Remember, God knows everything.... what's in our hearts, what's in our thoughts, our prayers, our everything. So you can ask for forgiveness now! LL

Answer 5

I'm not really sure what is supposed to be so appealing about committing crimes. Seriously, why would I want to do bad things? What pleasure could a normal person derive from that?

I live each day to it's fullest because this may be the only chance I get here. I live because I have the opportunity to. I try to contribute as much as I can to society because I like to. It makes me feel good.

I guess my parents taught me well. It makes me sad to think that people don't live for today, at least in part. Look around. What an incredible experience we get to have here. I guess I just appreciate life for what it is.

Answer 6

Unlike christians, we do not need the promise of an afterlife or treasures in a mythical never never land to do what is right. We do what is moral and good for the sake of it being the right thing to do. Our lives are precious to us because they are the only ones we have. We make them the best they can be.

I would say our lives have MORE meaning than christians because we know it's all we have.

Answer 7

Honestly, I don't need a god to promise me paradise to behave. I don't need a god to make me feel guilty for doing something that ALL people, religious or not know is bad.

I don't become a hardened criminal because I have morals (*GASP* AN ATHEIST WITH MORALS?)

I don't need threats of being incinerated to keep me ethical, do you? That seems to be what you are implying.

Answer 8

One can lead a moral and just life without religion. Religion only adds a bunch of stupid and pointless rules. If god can't or won't stop the genocide of innocent people, do you really think he is watching that you follow some religion's pointless rules, like no eating meat on fridays during lent?

Answer 9

I certainly do have morals even though im an athiest. I do believe in the existence of extrateresstrials but i dont believe in any form of god whatsoever. I know a few other people like myself with morals whilst being an athiest.

Answer 10

I live for my daughter, my family, my friends,
I live to make the world a better, less judgemental place for my daughter. What I strive for in life is happiness, contentment..to travel, to bond with the people that are the closest to me..I don't need a reward, feeling good inside is reward enough...