Morality issue?

Question

How does an atheist determine what is moral? If you believe its "just dont do any harm", how do you feel about an atheist who doesnt mind harming anybody they choose to. Are they "wrong"?

Answer 1

I've never heard one do a good job explaining this. The typical line-up of arguments has already landed here I see. Saying "society determines morals" may answer where morals come from, but it cheapens the concept of morality to the point of almost worthlessness-- considering then it was once "moral" to gas Jews and it was once "moral" to own people and may be again one day. Saying an atheist just "knows" right from wrong is about as much of a leap of faith as Christians are accused of taking in their belief in God. Based on what? Gut instinct? What your friends say is okay? By that logic almost anything can be justified. Ultimately, I believe a sincere and intelligent atheist would have to acknowledge that there really is not such thing as "morality" other than as a human construct invented to prevent us from killing each other. The only real claim they have to being "moral" is that they are conditioned by eons of evolution, much like any higher animal, to follow some semblance of it.

Answer 2

An atheist gets his/her morals just like everyone else. Parents first, then school, and if the parents are religious- from their religion.

Morals are instilled into us at a VERY young age as we learn to mimic what our parents did in front of us. Some morals can be changed with age and wisdom, but that's where the majority of them come from.

There have been cases of feral children found, around 7 or so years of age....and professionals took years for the feral children to even begin to comprehend what empathy was, let alone feel it.

Just remember...an atheist can have morals, and still do harm...but the flip side is the same...a believer can get his/her morals from religion, and harm in the name of their deity.

Life isn't black and white....it's gray, and purple, and orange, and polka dot. What if a man came home and found his wife and children murdered....then sought revenge on the person who killed them? Only to find the person had killed them because they were bringing home groceries and he was starving and had panicked?

There could be any countless situations in which neither person is right or wrong.

Answer 3

I know a lawyer who is an atheist, and his morals are impeccable; absolutely beyond reproach by any human walking the earth today. He's heavily involved in community and civic affairs, does pro bono work for the poor, has no vices (or skeletons in his closet -period), and loves his Christian wife and son. He's received awards and commendations by the state bar and the govenor. He's argued cases before the state Supreme Court, and the US Supreme Court,and won the remedy for his clients that was specified at both levels. He's also a member of the Parlimentarian Society in our state. This guy has a very strong grounding and understanding of what morals are. Like I said-he's unassailable. I see the govenorship in his future.

Answer 4

Mankind developed morality before contriving the many "gods" the world's religions are based on. Without our natural capacity for empathy morality wouldn't exist.

I think the biggest difference between atheists and theists in regards to morality: atheists realize the consequences of innately wrong behaviors, and "good deeds", immediately. Theist believe these consequences come in the afterlife.

Some theists (like some Christians) even believe they won't suffer consequences of immoral behavior if they repent. In this sense, they are far more selfish and far less morally grounded than any atheist.

Answer 5

As I've mentioned before, I came to atheism on my own. I don't consult with other atheists, nor do I claim to speak for anyone except myself. But if what I have seen in this forum is any measure, atheists are are an unusually thoughtful group of people: we think deeply and write well. I dare say, by doing so, we have probably challenged others in this forum to improve their skills in these areas to keep up with us.

People who do think deeply also tend to hold themselves to high moral and ethical standards regardless of religious affiliation. They have matured beyond that rash anger or consuming hatred that can cause younger folk to depart from the path of kindness and do real harm in the world. They have looked beyond the rules to the foundations upon which the rules are built.

I believe that the greatest good is to bring peace into the world. We do this by living in peace and helping others to do the same. Our tools are calm and kindness that can only be found when completely free from anger and hatred. If religion helps us to find that state, well and good; but if it leads us to judge others in anger, then we are better off without it.

Answer 6

Whoa, back up! Who says Atheist don't mind harming others?

Our moral beliefs are no different then yours! I cannot stand being told that I am a bad person for having different beliefs then you. Maybe you should try to understand us before you make general assumptions about us all.

Answer 7

You don't need religion to have morals.

Did you know the entire American legal system was founded on a principle of separating religion from justice and freedom for everyone? In fact, in America, it's not the church who decides what is moral and ethical but a secular group of lawyers and judges who swore oaths not to God but to justice.

Conversely, those vested in religion can be guilty of the worst sins. History shows and will show that humanity's worst crimes have been in the name of God or a god or some divine providence.

Having religion is a poor barometer for morality.

Answer 8

The point was made that, at one point, slavery was considered "moral"...and that some cultures have thought that cannibalism was "moral"...
Now, think seriously about that. If you live in a culture that thinks slavery is moral, and you are an atheist, you shrug and say, "cool, how much is that one"...
Sure, we all know that many Christians also did this, but think...
Christians (and some other theists) who do these things are disobeying their God.
Who is the atheist responsible to?
If we take God out of the equation, why shouldn't there be slavery?
Or cannibalism?
If, of course, society believes it is "moral"...

Answer 9

Although I am not an Athiest, I believe that all people have a fundamental knowledge of right and wrong. It really doesn't matter what your religion is. Morality is relative to the situation anyway.

Answer 10

Atheists are actually more moral than most Christians. Think about it, Christians act good because they want to go to heaven. Atheists act good because they want to and know it's the right thing to do.