Atheists, to whom are you accountable.?

Question

Probably yourselves, your family, your jobs, your conscious, and society.

Am I right?

Do you need fear of an imaginary place to do the right thing?

I'll bet you don't.

I just thought maybe some believers who cannot think for themselves might need reminding.

Answer 1

You're right, but the larger part of our society forgets that we have a society to be accountable to, i.e. laws and regulations that we are accountable to uphold. They forget that even THEY are accountable to the laws of the land, but instead choose to make light of this as if their god is the only thing that can hold anyone accountable. I'd like to see them try THAT argument in court.

Answer 2

You are correct. I think your list is fine. The order of that list and how one goes about it will continue to be an arena of debate for millenia to come. Many in the religious community consider their God concept, or what they know if him from their ancient literature, to be the only source of "right" and "wrong." Personally, I think that an educated and enlightened society can determine those things on their own, without the need for confusing spiritual road maps. Sam Harris, a leading atheist writer, suggests that intuition is one of the best sources for knowing right from wrong or where to place ones priorities. I believe that this rational is mostly sound. I don't need a religious text to tell me that cooking a baby in a microwave and eating it for dinner is wrong. I know that just because of intuition.

Answer 3

I'm not entirely an atheist, but I'll answer anyway, based on my knowledge and experience of atheists and atheism.

Most will say it is their own self-respect, their integrity, perhaps the people to whom they feel responsible. An atheist can make a promise, for example, and does not need a book to "swear" on, because he wants his word to be good enough. If I say I am going to do it, I will do it.

Most of the atheists I have known were basically humanists, which is a philosophy rather than a religion.

P.S. Thanks, Jeannette, I needed a drink. *drink* We have agreed to take a drink (I use water) every time someone mentions Pascal's Wager.

Answer 4

To society, my fiancee and myself. So, yeah, youre right...

Fear sucks. I prefer doing things for the sake of goodness.

Answer 5

I'm agnostic, not atheist, as I believe that it's equally difficult to prove the non-existence of God as the existence of God.

I answer to myself, my sense of honor, and my own code of ethics that requires me to treat people with respect, as I would want to be treated, and to do what's right whenever possible.

Answer 6

I just wanted to answer : "myself, my family and etc"

no, I don't need anything imaginary

Answer 7

Myself. In the end my actions are the causes and conditions for whether or not I have a good karmic "result" or not. My own mind knows the truth of my intent, and my actions and I don't fool myself.

_()_

Answer 8

I'm afraid that apocalyptic cave man writings about stoning people don't seem to bring out morality in many people... I subscribe to a better form of morality... conscience...

Answer 9

Ugh these Theist responses are nauseating. 'We cannot be good without god, and even if we are good it is because of god whether we believe it or no't?

Oh you make me sick to my stomach with your egomaniacal rantings.

Answer 10

I serve a higher power, and let everyone else know about it.

I drink of Coffee and He gives me the all-powerful Jitters.

Yes, my personal go-to exists.

If it doesn't exist, don't search for it.