Moral without following the bible, that is. For example, I've had several Christians say, "Well, if you don't have the bible, how do are you supposed to know what's right and wrong?"
It's really not that hard. It can be summed up in one sentence (which, coincidentally, is the main tenet followed by wiccans. I'm not wiccan but I've always followed this): "An it harm none, do what ye will."
So, if you simply keep in mind that you should not harm others with the intention of delivering ill will physically, mentally, etc. (except in cases of self defense, of course) that is really the only rule you need for life.
I just find it strange that people don't think that atheists, agnostics and other non-religious people are upstanding human beings simply because they don't follow a religion. It's really disturbing to me.
2007-07-16 04:53:35 · 19 answers · asked by spike_is_my_evil_vampire 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
it's really disturbing to me to, since i'm an atheist.
i think they just don't understand how people can choose to live without god, so they tell themselves that we are immoral so that they feel better about themselves & their beliefs.
2007-07-16 04:58:45 · answer #1 · answered by superwow_rl 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do not believe that a non-religious person cannot live a moral life as defined. I'd submit that if you do not believe in a higher authority than man, it would be more difficult to do so, but I have known upstanding people who didn't believe in God as I do, or at all.
I'll put this in a simple context, I view law (and any morality) as a lowest common denominator thing. The law should only say the least of what is acceptable societal behavior and the definition of what constitutes good law should be as thus: the law should be an arbiter for the weighing of individuals' rights, if there is no harm to another individual in your actions, then it should be (by default) legal. My own rules might be considerably more complex than that, but my right to impose them should be limited by this basic construct... for example, prostitution (a contract entered into consensually by two parties) may be immoral in the eyes of some (myself included) but it should be legal, likewise use of narcotic drugs, etc.
The problem that you're having is that so many people want to impose their morality on society, and that includes irreligious or atheistic individuals. And that is not (or at least should not be) the function of government.
Now, on the other side, without some kind of basic guidance beyond the law and an artificial moral construct, what is there to constrain someone's actions?
2007-07-16 05:07:46 · answer #2 · answered by waytoosteve 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who doubt Atheists' abilities to be moral are fools. I'm a believer myself, and I follow that exact same rule you state. The main reason why some people think Atheists can't be moral is that according to the typical Atheist's logic, it doesn't matter whether you're moral or not. Don't get me wrong, most of the Atheists I know are very good people, but if they are indeed correct, they could eat babies and bathe in the blood of a thousand virgins with absolutely no consequences beyond human authority.
2007-07-16 05:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by Dan L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've noticed that not all atheists live by the rule you mentioned. A lot of atheists will even say that morality is based on feelings like empathy, making being "moral" something totally self-centered, only about doing what makes you feel good rather than doing what's good for society as a whole.
2013-12-03 07:04:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian I see many people being moral. So? Christians don't have a hard time seeing sinners be moral. There are many good sinners out there.
Being a sinner is a person who abides in certain sins/ rebellion of Gods Word. There are many moral sinners out there. But they have sin in their life that isn't atoned for. That is the truth. We have all sinned & come short of the Glory of God. The wages of sin is death. We all die eventually (our perishable bodies). First is spiritual death/blindness that happens when purposeful rebellion happens. This is hard heartedness or seared conscience. Then physical death happens.
When born of God, spiritual birth happens & we are whole again; body, soul & spirit. Not body, soul & dead/blind spirit. So, we can see the spiritual with our spiritual eyes, speak with our spiritual mouth & hear with our spiritual ears. We can see the Kingdom of God.
In the bible it is written that peoples souls who don't know the God of the bible, are judged according to conscience & land laws. See? Everyone born has seen the True Light & everyone has a God given conscience. So? Some reject the True Light by rebellion & then conscience gets hardened. Some don't rebel & generally live a long life because they follow their conscience & land laws. But then their sins aren't atoned for yet. And even one sin will keep you out of heaven. God has a place for those who are in this situation. That isn't hell. Hell is prepared for the devil & his angels.
2007-07-16 05:05:59 · answer #5 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thank you for the great placed up. i'm an agnostic , i think , and 2 days in the past I addressed a question on the atheists. The question became into polite, asking their opinion on something. The solutions I have been given from atheists have been very offensive , calling me stupid and ignorant, etc etc. i could no longer have self assurance how rude and rude those human beings are. it extremely is why i've got made the determination to no longer call myself an atheist , because of the fact they're constantly so rude and offensive , and look on YA just to offend non secular human beings and snigger at them. besides the shown fact that i be attentive to that a number of them are advantageous, style, polite human beings , such as you! :-) thank you.
2016-10-19 05:07:52 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband was an atheist when we met, I was a non-religious agnostic theist, if that makes any sense, and he was and IS one of the most moral people I've ever met.
Some atheists/agnostics ARE immoral. So are some theists.
I prefer not to judge a person by religion or lack thereof.
2007-07-16 04:59:00 · answer #7 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's just oversimplification. It is the same reason why (some) non-Christians think that Christians are pompous, legalistic, money-minded judgmental people who snark on the forums.
A lot of it is fear of other beliefs making sense (on either side of the coin) and also ego and self-superiority. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves, and sometimes the easiest way to do such is to feel bad about someone else.
But most of us are just trying to do our best, in whatever belief we hold. Don't judge the whole by the actions of a few.
2007-07-16 04:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by buscadora78 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Morals are a human thing because we're social creatures. Look at Wolves, they have a code of conduct without any form of religion.
Many people do what they think is acceptable (sheeple) rather than think for themselves.
Blessed Be!
2007-07-16 04:59:59 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Gnostic♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You think too much of yourself. True christians aren't concerned about your atheism. Neither do they waste time worrying about your morals. You can live your life however you choose to. Furthermore, the issue of your morality is between you and God, whether you accept Him or not. You must answer to Him, not christians.
2007-07-16 05:33:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many young Wiccans do not understand the Rede.
It only gives guidance about what to do when actions harm none....other actions, they are covered elsewhere....
Please don't use The Rede if you haven't been well taught about it....
2007-07-16 05:47:59 · answer #11 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋