When people first learn that I am an atheist, they ask me if I believe in morals or have morals. I often ask them that if they didn't have a god looking over their shoulder, would they go and rape or kill people because there was no hope for reward and no fear of punishment?
So this goes out to all the Christians, Jews, and Muslims out there: If there is no god, would you go and be "immoral" or would still be moral because it is just simply the right thing to do? Now reflect on your answer to the latter question. Ok, no answer . . . do you think it is possible for atheist to be moral people?
little side note, the two largest philanthropists in the world are atheist . . .
2007-05-29 18:15:33 · 10 answers · asked by heathenboilermaker 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What does the height (or was it girth) of philanthropists have to do with atheism? Are you saying atheist philanthropists eat more than Christian ones?
I'm just playing with you really.
I completely agree with you. People don't realize that the 10 Commandments came from morality, not the other way around.
2007-05-29 18:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by Tao 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are missing the point. That sense of morality wouldn't be there if it were not for a Holy God. I don't believe an atheist necessarily has no morals. I also don't believe all Christians have morals. But it doesn't matter what I think. God has set his morals in the Ten Commandments. If there was no God, we could kill and rape people and we shouldn't feel guilty because we have nobody to own up to.
Now, let's start there. You would proceed to say that I am wrong-society holds them accountable, even if there is no God. Yes, but where does society get that from? Themselves-we know that it's wrong. But honestly, where do we get it from? How do we know murder is wrong? More importantly, why do we accept that it's wrong? Maybe some people aren't murdering or raping because they know that they'll go to jail, or possibly be executed by society. Maybe they think it is right.
And to those who think murder and rape is okay, they have abandoned their conscience-their ability to know right from wrong. Where does it come from? It's not physical, but if we accept there is a God, we accept that we will be held accountable. That's why many atheists don't want to accept that God exists.
Atheists can be "moral" people. But by whose standards? Society's standards? You know that society accepts (or doesn't condemn) masturbation, sex before marriage and is starting to accept homosexuality, right? God doesn't accept those things. In fact, God condemns even small lies. The fact is that we are all sinners. We must accept that we need a savior, and that savior is Jesus Christ; a part of the trinity (a part of God). When it comes to Heaven or Hell, I'd rather follow God's laws then society's. While society is doing a pretty good job, it's those little things that get through that God cares about. Nobody escapes God's wrath except those who repent (turn away from sin) and trust in Him.
2007-05-29 18:33:15 · answer #2 · answered by Thardus 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THANK YOU! I am always asking the believers that same question as well.
I don't need a supernatural being to make sure I make the right choices. I know, in my heart, what is right and wrong. I feel so sorry for believers who need the guidance of an unseen being in order to be "good" in this life.
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are indeed at least agnostic (in Bill's case). Ironic. Percentage of their income means nothing... they are in the position to do good with their considerable fortunes and the Gates's, at least, continue to donate on a regular basis. He just can't get rid of his money fast enough. AND they don't seek attention from the media when they do good... unlike, say, OPRAH who not only does a press release for every good deed she does, she also insists on filming it and showing it on TV, reaping the benefit of the commercial opportunities. Slick.
2007-05-29 18:21:16 · answer #3 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morality comes from God!!! ;)
Look at what 2000 years of Christianity has got us - America is by far the most christian nation in the world yet they kill 30,000 of themselves each year and in peace time have killed more civilians than any other nation. If you ask me religion is the root of all evil.
2007-05-29 22:28:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, they are also the two richest people in the world. Is it really generous to donate 1/10 of 1% of your income?
Just asking. And yes, I am moral because I think people are good and we all owe it to each other to show our best if we expect to see the best from anyone else.
2007-05-29 18:20:57 · answer #5 · answered by randyken 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find this funny as well, as prison statistics which are taken when entering prison show that atheists are the most under-represented group in US prisons, while Christians are the most over-represented.
2007-05-29 18:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Starvin' Marvin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothings stopping you. why not do it then? Well obviously you will go to jail for a murder rape but your going to die and not waste any of our resources and also add your carbons back to earth! it's a win win situation.
2007-05-29 18:41:22 · answer #7 · answered by Panda WafflesZilla 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no need for a invisible sky-marshal in order for one to behave morally.
2007-05-29 18:20:44 · answer #8 · answered by Dylan H 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
there is no god as far as I know but I am a moralistic creature .
Besides there is a justice system that sometimes works .
2007-05-29 18:26:12 · answer #9 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So you discovered Euthyphro's dilemma. Here is a cookie.
2007-05-29 18:22:51 · answer #10 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋