What does an atheist's moral code consist of?

Question

Is there a book atheists predominantly prescribe to, one that spells out what is an appropriate moral code to live by? Or is it an individual thing?

I am not a bible-thumper, not that that should have any relevance to this question, but are principles like don't kill, don't steal, don't commit adultery, and treat others as you want to be treated really far-fetched and archaic?

With so many ridiculous acts I find appaling, I'd say there is nothing "common" about the sense being referred to. And it has nothing to do with being religious or not.

Answer 1

They believe in all goodness just like theists just not in a god

Answer 2

NO, they are not far fetched or archaic - but they are WAY MORE ancient than the Bible. In fact the Golden Rule predates Christianity by about 4000 years.

It is an individual choice when it comes to atheists. We do not have an Atheist's Handbook, if thats what you ask. To each their own. I know that I dont want to be murdered, I dont want to be raped, and I dont want to be stolen from - so I dont do that to others. Pretty novel idea, eh?

"With so many ridiculous acts I find appaling, I'd say there is nothing "common" about the sense being referred to." Let me explain to you what is wrong with this statement. Firstly, it is based upon what YOU find appaling. Secondly, you give no examples of this appaling behavior you allege. Thirdly, I beleive that if you cared to check on it, you'd find that the majority of the people commiting those "appaling acts" are more religious than non-religious. There is a reason 78% of the prison population is Christian, and only 0.02% is atheist. Either we get caught less, or commit crimes less.

Answer 3

No, there isn't a book. My moral code comes from the laws, and from my own belief that I should treat others the way I'd like to be treated. Yes, that's the golden rule, and I think Jesus said some good things. Doesn't mean I have to worship him or think he was in some way superhuman. I see him as a philosopher and a liberal.
What's even more "moral," I think, is that I behave this way with no expectation of making brownie points with the big invisible guy who will then let me into heaven. I do it to make this life, the only one I believe we have, a bit better for all of us sharing the planet at this moment in time. I'm more honest than many "religious" people I know, who will do things like lie about their kid's age to get a cheaper ticket on a train or to the movies, for example. Why? I don't know, exactly, but I'm perfectly capable of telling right from wrong without dragging mythology into it.

Answer 4

People all over the world have learned to live together. It's called civilization. Moral codes of the most primitive people scattered all over the world have developed morals that guides their lives. The basis of these codes are - -- the Golden Rule,( anything that you wouldn't want done to you, you shouldn't do to anyone else ), Every society has their version of the golden rule. Next, common sense. We're born with a sense of right and wrong. Not everybody will obey that sense, but it's there. Another guide is personal pride. We don't want to be known as liars or crooks.
No, at least I don't learn morals from any book, but I hold mine to the highest.
Without morals and laws, there is no civilization.

Answer 5

Depends on the atheist. Seriously, some are more moral than others, just like believers.

Most make decisions on two bases:

1. Would I want others to treat me/act that way? Variations of the Golden Rule existed long before the bible. Look up Carl Sagan's article on ethics, especially the variation called the Bronze Rule.

2. Would I want to live in a society where everyone felt free to act in that manner? In other words, even if it doesn't affect me directly, would I want people to be free to rape my sister or steal from my cousin?

There are several books on ethics, but none universally accepted by the majority of atheists. Look up Prometheous Press for many of them.

BTW, I've been an active atheist for over 15 years, served as president of our state organization, and currently serve on the BOD of the Atheist Alliance International. If only I got paid for that!

Answer 6

All morals are goal-oriented.

To understand a person's morals or a group's morals, you must first understand their goals.

To answer the most immediate question -- atheists do not have a single codified moral structure, no revealed or canonical text describing an ideal moral structure. While there are massive commonalities (most people would agree, for example, that murder is wrong -- though what constitutes 'murder' may vary), ultimately each atheist stands alone morally, doing the best with the available information.

Answer 7

It varies by individual, but atheism gave us the humanist movement and the human rights legislation we all enjoy world wide. It is responsible for the majority of social advances over the past 150 to 200 years. It gave us universal sufferage and gave women the vote. Going back far enough, the founding fathers of the USA founded the nation on atheirstic principles, separating church from state and church morality from law. They were very wise men, and some if not all of them were atheists.

Answer 8

The Gnostic religious texts of the old Jewis religion where it is said they did not believe in the after live as Christians do.

That is where the word atheist originated which was given to those Gnostic followers by the Christians in the year 100 AD or there abouts.

Answer 9

The only thing that binds atheists to each other is mutual non-belief in any higher power. Those values you speak of existed well prior to Christianity (they were written out by Confucius, among others) as well as in societies that had no experience with the judeo-christian religion (native americans)... and they're basic common sense.

Moral codes are not universal across all atheists. Check humanism for a decent one that's widely accepted.

Answer 10

I think that most modern atheists are humanists to some degree or another. My moral code is based upon my experience and my personal beliefs, but is grounded in the principle that we should do everything we can to help others while hurting no one. So of course, things like lying, stealing, cheating, and of course murder (!) are immoral.

Answer 11

Human based morality.
Some things are inborn.

(Interesting to note that since Adam and Eve in the Garden, man has known instinctively the difference between good and evil. Hmmm.)