The Never-ending Question on Atheists and Morals?

Question

I found this on the web, and it seems to perfectly describe what I feel:

http://www.forevergaming.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14279

I don't think the general view is limited to atheists, but wouldn't it be better if all of just thought the same on morals?

It's always man that makes morals. Didn't Hitle kill hundreds of thousands of Jews, Roma, Sinti, disabled, foreigners, even though he was a Christian and it specifically says "Thou shalt not kill"? Don't many American agree that death penalty is necessary (if they didn't, why is it practiced in the majority of states?) even though the majority of Americans (70 to 90%, depending on the study) are Christians and should, therefore, abide by "Thou shalt not kill"?.

It's always man who acts on morals, and who evaluates morals as right or wrong, even if you believe.

In any case, it's not meant against believers, but in the end even in Christianity, the power on earth has man, and maybe, after he killed millions, he might find heaven a bit of a problem. But then he killed already.

Answer 1

Wow... thanks for sharing that. It is EXACTLY what I feel. I never thought I'd ever see someone else say it like that. I just blogged that link... thanks so much!

SharonM: Without god, I don't circumvent the laws of the land or the laws of morality. I don't understand your reasoning... it makes no sense at all. In your example, the young man has no religion and yet the captain won't listen to his arguments? Is the captain religious? If so, you're making our argument for us. The religious persecuting the non-religious for merely not believing.

I have a conscience that won't allow me to deviate from the societal morals and personal morals I hold. I may cheat on a test... really cheat, really bad. No one will know, so why not? Because it's WRONG. Period. I know in my heart and mind that it's wrong so I don't do it. I don't care if I'm the only one in the room and the answers are on a sheet of paper posted in the front of the room and all I have to do is go take them... it's wrong, I'll know I cheated, and I'll feel remorse and sadness for what I've done. Therefore, I don't do it.

For the religious, they don't do it because they're afraid of being punished. To me, that's not a good enough reason to not do something. Ask any 7 year old if it's worth an hour in his room without toys to take the cookie and he'll say yes every time. Do they feel guilt and remorse? Yes... but they just ask god to forgive them and VOILA, it's all gone.

I don't have that luxury... I have to make the right choice the first time. Believe me, I've broken my own code and I STILL feel the remorse, even after apologizing the wronged person (I can have a temper and I yelled at someone in anger... a bad thing from my POV).

And it's exactly statements like yours that keep people from voting for an atheist president. RELIGION shouldn't matter in government. Period. The fact that you'll vote for a religious person and NOT an atheist tells me you want this country governed using religion. Tell me... will you vote for a Mormon president? How about a Muslim?

Answer 2

Why is it always Fascists and Christians who imagine the world would be a better place if we all thought just alike? I happen to agree with 99% of what was said on the "forevergaming" post. That doesn't mean everyone else should be compelled to agree. Genuine diversity of opinion insures we won't be deluded by mere unanimity into imagining our unsubstantiated beliefs are infallibly correct. If you don't think good people delude themselves to this degree, read any honest history of the Catholic Church.

Answer 3

There are many atheists who are fine upstanding citizens. But at any time, they can decide that they don't want to play by the rules anymore and there are no real constraints other than law to keep them in check. And if they are really intelligent, they can circumvent the law. The only thing I can offer is to tell you to read "The Sea Wolf" by Jack London. The captain of the ship is horrible, cruel, and just plain evil. The young man trapped on his ship is moral, but not religious. Without God, none of the young man's arguments stand up to the cruel captain. Without God, it is the people in power who make the rules. That may be why 58% of the American public refuses to even consider voting an atheist in as president.

Answer 4

Why try to be good? Mainly because we've been subjected to behavior modification since infancy. Praise when we do something acceptable, punishment or threat of punishment when we do something unacceptable. We love praise and hate punishment. When we grow up, we are able to imagine the praise and imagine the possible punishment.

We're like trained rats searching for good feelings and avoiding the bad feelings. Don't you see that this is just blatant feel-goodism. I love me because I'm nicely behaved and I know if everyone knew all the nice things I do, they would praise me also. Excuse me while I barf.

What's morally good about that?

Answer 5

Well said. Morals are dictated by society not God. I find it frustrating that Christians feel that morals are given only by God, but when the are brought face to face with the facts that non believers can live moral lives, the often agree that it is possible. Then once again they are off saying only God can instill morals....aaaggghhh!

Answer 6

That is an amazing profile. I wish I knew to whom it belongs, because I'd like that person to be my friend.
Thanks for sharing this with us!

Answer 7

No because conflicting thought and views is what generates progress and understanding.

Answer 8

Can all men and women think the same?

Answer 9

morals are relative not absolute. deal with it.

Answer 10

NO!! STOP!!! We all must be fancy in the GAWD's magiks!

Must do rituals....must do magical thinking...must be fancy in the gawd's magiks...