Do you ever wonder where atheists get their morals from?

Question

Society. The good of the many. First do no harm. Do unto others.

We believe in doing the right thing, simply because we want to.

Answer 1

People do not need organized religion in order to have good morals. There are plenty of people who don't believe in God who have outstanding morals and plenty of people who do believe, whose morals are in the gutter. It's all a matter of personal character, more than religious beliefs.

Answer 2

Scientists have identified a "Moral DNA" strand that they've nicknamed the "God Gene" ... it seems our parents pass onto us our physical traits (blue eyes, or brown eyes) and morals within our DNA.

The psychologists still have the "Nurture" factor being a huge part of a person's identity and morals. In these matters, parents, religions, and society can have huge impacts on a persons morals. Maturity & experience also play a factor.

The Proverbs (Bible) tell of fools repeating the same mistakes over & over ... while a wise man is able to hear (read) of a fool's folly and avoid such folly.

This DNA strand does seem to be like an force of nature in matters of heroism; like when that dude jumped on the sub-way tracks to save a man in epileptic seizure.

Answer 3

Basically you are morally good. Christian principles passed down through the ages provided us with what we have today. It's not always been that way. Look at history for proof of that. You, I and for the most part, all of us follow those principles. But our goodness is filth before God. He said that, not me. So there is another level to attain that can only come from God. Before you go patting yourself on the back for a job well done in the moral area, remember that God rejects mans morality. We all fall short until we meet Gods requirements. Jesus that is.

Answer 4

Since I am an atheist no.

I think most of us have a stronger sense of ethics.

You hear Christians say all the time "love the sinner hate the sin". What does that mean exactly? You are your actions, that is what make you the person you are. If you do bad deeds you are a bad person. According to the Christian interpretation, you do bad things, yet you are a good person. How could that make sense.

Answer 5

That still doesn't make sense. If morals aren't a genetically inherited trait, and morals are subjective and relative, then where -did- you get your morals from? Some higher being -MUST- have given them to us from the beginning, and it's the basis from which we've ever decided what is moral and what is not since that time. Society didn't simply produce them, because if no higher being gave them to us, then there is no reason to have morals. Morals are a compassionate trait, and have to do with helping -others- before yourself. But with Darwinian-Nietzsche thinking, survival of the fittest, compassionate ones die, and so morals simply to not make sense. Morals go -against- evolution. But so many people have lost their "morals" wherever you may argue they came from. Save the whale abort the baby!? That makes -perfect- sense.. There's a hint of sarcasm there, if you didn't catch it.

Answer 6

agree, a true choice not do this or got to hell etc. I think you also develop a moral duty because you realize today may truely be the last day you live and as a result you consider things more. Many christians do whatever because on sunday they get forgiven. They also have forever ahead of them and are just burning time waiting on this event.

Answer 7

Part right, but then how do you explain the clear use of the Golden Rule in meerkats?

All social animals appear to exhibit behaviour that we would consider 'moral': altruism, bravery, protection, compassion, favouring the needy etc.

And all animals, social or not, exhibit these tendencies toward their young (except those who don't nurture their babies).

There's plainly an instinct to behave morally toward your babies, even in simple animals. In social animals, the same behaviour is exhibited to all member of the colony.

Same with us: we tend to treat other humans a little as though they are our brethren, or even our children. It just a teeny tendency to be nice to other, but it keeps our society together - just as it does with those meerkats, chimps and bats.

CD

Answer 8

not every athiest has the same believe as you. I guess if every thing is from society, then we would do pretty well with no government right? unless if you believe that the government is the society.

Answer 9

What is the "right thing"?
It varies from culture to culture, person to person.
There is no "universal" moral code.
If there were we wouldn't need locks on our homes and cars, vaults for our money and valuables and passwords to protect our accounts.

Answer 10

From the conditioned responsed cued by thier parents. Just like everyone else.