Why do believers think that atheists can't be morally upright?

Question

I constantly get the feeling that people think that because we do not have mystic beliefs we are not spiritual or morally upright. I personally think we can be as righteous as any believer the main difference is that we don't need an imaginary God and ancient commandments to guide our lives because we can make the right choices. Don't you think it's pretty pretentious to assume you're the 'enlightened' ones and atheists desperately need to realise and embrace what *you* call the truth?

Does anyone else feel it's kind of hard to be an atheist in today's society? And why are we always the ones acused of disrespecting Christians? Not all atheists act that way.

Thanks everyone for all the serious answers, I really appreciate x

Answer 1

Because it destroys their claim as the source of morality. They've been indoctrinated to believe that all good comes from God. So, anything not from God (and only their version of God) is, by definition, evil or at least not good.

If you look at the morality being pushed by religion, you'll find it is atrocious. It has a few good points, but those few good ideas are drowned out by intolerance, bigotry, ignorance, and a whole host of other ills. And its rules are applied blindly without any thought for the situation at hand.

Atheists, on the other hand, generally realize that any fixed set of rules is always going to be subpar and won't apply to current times or the specific situation. Instead, we tend to form flexible rules that adhere to a few basic principles that are generally humanistic in nature. This allows us to form good decisions on the fly instead of using the "one-size fits all" sledgehammer of dogma.

Answer 2

Hi, I am a Christian. I read your question and I know that not everyone believes what I believe. I also know some very nice people who aren't religious either way. My grandpa teaches evolution in a private school, he is an atheist. I won't judge you because we don't belive the same thing....but I have a question for you... if you don't belive in God and sin, then why is it "right" to be "morally upright"? What is the standard that decides what "right" is? What is your "right choice", and what do you base that on? I don't understand that you don't belive there is a God, but you belive that it is right to do good. I don't seek to put anyone down or act "enlightened". I only want you to know that as a Christian, I really do try to do the best that I can every day to follow Christ by reading and doing what He has told me to do in the Bible.
Because, when Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God by eating the fruit, sin entered the world. Because of this, we are ALL sinners and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death. But, God sent His son Jesus to die in our place. Mary, Jesus' mother, was a virgin, the Holy Spirit came upon her and she conceived a child. Jesus was born without sin, He didn't have to die, He was righteous. But because He did die, our sins are covered. Death couldn't hold Him, because he wasn't guilty. That's why he rose from the dead three days later. All we need to do is ask Him to forgive us of our sins, and we will LIVE eternally with Him. That is what I believe...be blessed

Answer 3

Ok.... Firstly please don't stereotype... not all people with a faith believe that atheists cannot be morally upright....

I am a born again Christian who was raised by an atheist mother. I do not for a second claim to be more morally upright then another person be them atheist, Buddhist , or of any other faith.

Morals do not come from what faith you follow rather what values you have instilled in you. Just because you are Christian or of any other religion does not make you better. There are morally inept people in all faiths including Christianity.

I also disagree with Christians who impose their faith on others, and who say those not of their faith are disrespecting them. However those Christians are also in the minority.

It seems that everyone needs to learn A LOT of tolerance from each other, or these issues will continue to arise for time to come. But it fascinates me that its the people in the minority's that cause most of the problems.


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Answer 4

It is not just hard to be atheist but to be any religion because every one thinks their beliefs are the right and only ones. It all comes down to everyone needs someone to blame. So why not blame the "godless, non-believers." If christians didn't have anyone to blame with the worlds problems then they would have to face the flaws in their religion. Anymore it isn't about God or faith but about the accepted status quo. Our culture is becoming very conservative once again and therefore the liberals are at fault, because it couldn't possibly be the concept of religion in general that has created chaos in the world.

Answer 5

Being moral and being an atheist are not mutually exclusive. I'm a Christian and a supervisor I had many years ago was an atheist. We had alot of discussions about that, got mad at each other a few times, but it never got out of hand. As far as being "moral", whatever you might think that means, he was just a normal guy who had a family, went to work, paid his taxes, and treated me fairly even though we were on opposite sides of such a hot button issue.
As Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to openly identify with him in the public arena, which means we are definitlely not be ashamed to talk about our beliefs when the occasion arises. We seek to warn those in need of a savior (and we ALL are in need of a savior) of the danger of passing from this life without having made a decision to identify with Jesus and become a follower of his. To us, that means you will spend eternity separated from God's presence in what the Bible refers to as hell.
Yes, you can be a good person, live a moral life, treat others fairly, be a great wife,husband,mother,father and be an atheist. It's just that Jesus taught that as nice as all of that is, it still isn't enough. Jesus said "I am the Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man comes to the Father but by me."
As Christians, we are commanded to make you aware of that fact.

Answer 6

I'm a christian & I now people who don't believe in God & I don't think they're bad people, in fact, I think they are very morale, good & selfless. I think there are christians who label atheists because of freakshows who want to take God off of a dollar or have all the crosses & stars of david removed at Arlington (sp?) are chritmas trees removed during christmas. If a christian acts like an **** to someone then there not a practicing christian, there a Jakkass.

Answer 7

No, I know that atheists CAN be moral just like I know that self-proclaimed Christians CAN be immoral. Christianity just offers another check...another guideline for moral behavior. I think that it's probably easier to be an atheist in today's society than ever before. It actually seems to be rather "chic". You are right, not ALL atheists disrespect Christians, but if you watch this particular board (and probably answers to this question) and are honest, you will see that the disrespectful answers in general tend to come at the Christians rather than from them (even taking trolls on both sides into account.)

Good question, by the way and very respectful. That is appreciated.

Answer 8

The vast majority of atheists i have met all seem to exhibit what the believers would call "christian principles". They just call it treating others with respect and living by the rules of society and good morals. Christians see these traits as a byproduct of their faith. Therefore, if you do not follow their faith, you cannot possibly have the same values as they do.
Flawed thinking on their part.

And if you don't want your faith or lack thereof to be disrespected, then the best approach is to keep your beliefs to yourself much like we as atheists have been telling christians forever. If no one knows what you are thinking, its hard for them to criticize.

Answer 9

I definitely feel that it's hard to be an atheist in the US today. When someone finds out that I'm an atheist, they automatically assume my life is completely immoral and that I have absolutely no "path" in life.

I live my life with courtesy, I volunteer in my community and treat everyone fairly. I've seen people of other faiths that don't even do that that feel the need to judge me.

Answer 10

I think because their morality stems from their faith in God, it is their reality. So it is difficult for them to see how someone without that faith can be moral. In a sense I agree with them. My morals are not based on what some God told me but based on my own inner self says is right and wrong. So morals to them are a set of rules they are supposed to follow that is not the case for me.