Atheists: Do you repent or anything when you do something that you know is wrong?

Question

and if you say you never do that then you are a liar.

If you think I am wrong in calling someone a liar who denies it then you have a very limited understanding of human nature.

Answer 1

I don't do things that I know are wrong. Why would I?

Answer 2

1 - To feel remorse, contrition, or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; be contrite.
2 - To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one's mind regarding it: repented of intemperate behavior.
3 - To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one's sins.

The above definitions come straight out of the American Heritage Dictionary. Since none of them make any reference to a godhead, I answer your question with a definite yes. I think that any ethical and moral person would have to answer yes; even Christians and Muslims. However, I think Atheists would be more inclined to answer yes because generally their actions are guided by an ethical system that is based on tolerance. Christians and Muslims, on the other hand, seem to base their ethical systems on fear and desire; fear of going to the bad place, and a desire to go to the good one. Atheists just don't require a reward for being ethical, nor do they require the threat of punishment if they are not. Atheists are far more ethical because they don't adhere to dogmas that inspire hatred and intolerance. Atheists are just people who have learned to think critically, and don't buy into a bunch of hypocritical, anti-life, superstitious, intolerant, and utterly ridiculous dogmas found in the Bible, Koran, and other books used by major religions. You question glows of intolerance toward atheists. If they aren't hurting anyone, why do you imply they are liars? If anything, Christians and Muslims should repent the unethical and immoral dogmas they adhere to.

If you are under the impression that all atheists have a conscience then you have a very limited understanding of human nature. There are a couple who are almost as bad as theists.

Answer 3

When I do something wrong It is usually intentional. Therefore repentance would be meaningless. However what is wrong for you may very well not be wrong for me. If I do something wrong accidentally It is unintentional so I find no reason to repent. I do apologize sometimes if I offend someone. Which is quite often as I respond often without thinking things through. I have had to write three emails of apology already today.
Kisses Betty B.

Answer 4

When I've done wrong, I feel miserably guilty, and rightly so. Especially on those occasions when there's little or nothing that I can do to put things right.

You see, in this respect most people -- believers and nonbelievers -- are pretty much alike. We know the difference between right and wrong, and when we do wrong, we feel bad about it because we know we darn well ought to feel bad.

The difference is in how we deal with it. Believers torment themselves even after they've done their best to make amends -- because after all, how can they be sure that god has forgiven them? Atheists don't have that problem.

Believers also torment themselves with guilt over a lot of things that aren't wrong to begin with. You know, things like sex. Again, not a problem for atheists.

Answer 5

I feel guilty and try to correct the situation. I make sure not to do it again.

Implicit in your question is the idea that your religion has a monopoly on ethics and morality. Keep in mind that these words are of Greek origin based on the principles of reason and philosophy. Try reading Plato's "Republic" for example. Socrates and Plato gave society guidelines for peace and a moral life while the God of the OT was still telling His people to kill all the males and rape and enslave the females of a conquered people in Leviticus.

Will you be repenting of your insult to atheists and ignorance of history by reading and thinking for yourself?

Answer 6

Of course people are remorseful if they make a mistake. Only a sociopath would not feel regret over doing something that was somehow hurtful to one's self or others.

Just like anyone else, when we atheists make a mistake we try to make up for it and not to do it again.

However, we don't (generally) flagellate ourselves or anything. I know some Christian sects are into that, however.

Answer 7

Nope. I generally don't do things I already know is wrong. Too much of a conscious and need to be a good person...

If it's something I didn't realize and thought better of afterward, then I apologize or try to correct what was done.

Answer 8

I may apologize if I have wronged someone else. I may make a mental note to not repeat a mistake. But I do not seek forgiveness from a higher power. I am the highest power in my life. I only have myself to face and to answer to.

Answer 9

Never to an mythological non-existent being.

And no, I am not a liar.


If I wrong someone I will try to make amends with that person. I would not "repent" to some god though.

Answer 10

no i have to live with it and feel bad about. it reminds me so the next time i will choose a better choice. I guess it must be nice to believe that no matter what you do all you have to do is ask God to forgive you and you get a clean slate. You don't have to live with an error in judgement and probably don't need to learn from it either

Answer 11

Websters defines:
repent

Main Entry: 1re·pent
Pronunciation: ri-'pent
Function: verb
intransitive verb
1 : to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2 a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one's mind
transitive verb
1 : to cause to feel regret or contrition
2 : to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for

So, by those definitions:
No*
Yes
Yes
Yes

*Sin is only against a god's instructions. Since there is no god there can be no sin.