Atheists: What is your source of Moral Standard?

Question

I'm a reliable Christian because I can be judged on the strong moral standards of Jesus Christ.

What makes you reliable?

Reliability is dependability. So if you go by time and trends, what makes you dependable?

If you don't stand for something, wouldn't you fall for anything and everything?

Answer 1

As a Christian, I follow the same thing as you do. I don't think Atheist have any morals, they think that by not believing in a supernatural being (God) they can do what ever they want.

Answer 2

You are making a very common assumption here, which is that to reject scripture also means rejecting the moral teachings contained in it. There is no reason that a person has to believe in the crucifixion to believe that killing is wrong. An atheist specifically rejects the miraculous claims of the Bible, and any supernatural explanation for the world. An atheist can (and most do) believe in the idea "Do unto others as you would have done to you," as well as the idea "love your neighbor as yourself," without any challenge to their lack of belief in God.

I would argue that reliability comes from a good home with a stable upgringing and loving parents. Someone with these things will naturally feel a bond with others, and the desire to do right by them. Contrary to what you may think, Atheists can love their children, and can provide good homes and stability.

Answer 3

I'm reliable because I have a morality based in reality. It's also a stronger moral system than that of most Christians, and more demanding.

Frankly, I wouldn't brag about holding myself to Christian moral standards if I were you - they don't seem to be very impressive, do they? I mean, the creationists, dominionists, anti-abortionists, etc.? Then all the Christians like the one directly above me who come here just to lie about atheists. They set a pretty low bar.

Answer 4

Human intelligence. Common sense. Empathy for my fellow human beings. The ability to understand the consequences of my actions. (Life will show time and time again that if you live badly, your life will be more painful and difficult, while if you live well, your life will be easier and happier.)
My love and respect for my family, my husband, my children, my friends, my neighbors, and my society.

There's a lot of things I stand for. (See above list.) One of them doesn't need to be YOUR deity in order for me to be a good and reliable person. I'm a faithful wife, devoted mother, loving daughter and friend, and a good and helpful neighbor. (I'm the neighbor who goes, unasked, to my elderly neighbors houses to shovel their driveways in the winter, and to help with yardwork and such.) I do volunteer work, and donate to charity.
If anyone would judge me to be a bad or immoral person, (like the people who say atheists just want to "do whatever they want without consequences") then I would question what their morals are if they judge me based solely on the idea that I don't share a belief in THEIR deity.

Answer 5

nicely for one element there is sturdy and undesirable in each body. yet authentic God Fearing, Christ kept, Born back Christians? could have staggering moral criteria. If no longer. Theys no longer a Christian. God Bless Ya, Chicago Bob imasinner there is extra exhilaration in Jesus in one day. Than there is contained in the international 365/24/7 i recognize, i tried them both. Numbers 6:24-26

Answer 6

My sources is my conscience, informed by experience and the Golden Rule. If I'm making life worse for other people, I'm wrong. If I'm making it better, I'm right. And if my conscience is mistaken, I trust in the collective wisdom of my fellow humans to correct it.

Jesus directed his followers to love their enemies, to do good to those who hurt them, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sick, visit the imprisoned, act as servant to those regarded as least. I have nothing but admiration for that stance. How "reliably" do you actually follow those standards?

Answer 7

I'm not an atheist, but in my experiance, atheists are moral because it's the right thing to do - not because of fear, rewards or imaginary friends.

Most people I know who cheat, lie and steal present themselves as pious Christians.

Answer 8

Reason based on knowledge of objective equality in worth of all living organisms.

Or perhaps a modified version of Utilitarianism, I tend to oscillate between the two.

Answer 9

Empathy, compassion, loyalty, and good judgement are my moral sources.

I make me reliable. If you have a problem with that, I really don't care. You're not relying on me for anything.

Answer 10

The fact that you rely on an imaginary friend in the sky to tell you right from wrong, shows that you are entirely unhinged. I know right from wrong, simply because they are innate truths. I need not be threatened with firey damnation, in order to make a correct, honest, moral decision.

Answer 11

The Dharma via the Buddha's teachings... i.e. altruism, compassion, wisdom, refraining from arrogance (as much as I humanly can), anger and divisive speech... again as much as I humanly can. Oh, and yes, I'm still essentially atheist.

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