Atheists: Do you believe in retribution for transgressions?

Question

If not hell, then some form of payback system? What force brings acts of injustice to account when the legal system can't?

Answer 1

Absolutely not.

Any strong atheist will tell you that the universe is governed by natural laws. These laws care nothing for the life that happened to evolve in the universe. Admitting that there is retribution for transgressions such as murder or theft is admitting that there is some sort of sentient thought happening that can know and control physical matter. So basically it's admitting there is a god... which I'm pretty sure atheists don't do.

Answer 2

I believe in societal standards. If your society says that certain transgressions must be met with vigilanteism, then it is not up to my standard and I will not be a part of your society. Now, as for "forces that bring acts of injustice into account when the legal system can't," have you ever heard the expression "two wrongs don't make a right"? The only forces at work are those of the humans involved. If everyone took revenge for every offense, soon the world would be void of humans.

Answer 3

You should not consider the person's karma attributes because he or she may have been forced to commit crimes while being possessed by a witch or forced to do so by another party.

In law this is called the difference betwen the actus reus (the things the body was doing) and the mens rea, the intent and/or motive to commit the crime. The person may have been an unwilling pawn of an evil master.

The punishmnent of "Forcible artificial Jarvik hearts for everyone because of what Bush is doing to Amsterdam" is unfair, illogical, and could only be figured out by a sophisticated traveler.

You could try another legal system, if you could read the language it is written in...too risky...

Answer 4

Transgressions against who?

What transgression against man could one commit in the US and not be held accountable? I mean, the system isn't perfect but it generally works.

Society and our social network otherwise doles out its own type of judgment. My friends wouldn't talk to me if I turned into a mean person. My husband would leave me if I cheated on him. My parents would disown me if I treated them disrespectfully.

I think the main problem with the question is that man assumes (due to religious teachings) that man is evil from nature. We're not evil from nature. We evolved our sense of right and wrong and it is silly to suggest that we need some outside force to act as our referee.

Answer 5

I think that SuperAtheist said it best right here

"Sometimes the bad guys win. Quite often, in fact, because bad guys can do rather well in a society that is actually rather trusting."

Thanks CD
In Reality the survivors have to deal with the after-effects of those transgressions

Answer 6

An atheist by definition doesn't believe in gods (force) So the answer is no.

Okay I'll admit sometimes an atheist will use the Karma defense but it's rarely ever serious. I use "karma" all the time but i don't actually believe there's a force out there making it happen.

Answer 7

Here's a clue: just because some things are right, just and fair, the universe will not necessarily conspire to make it so.

Sometimes the bad guys win. Quite often, in fact, because bad guys can do rather well in a society that is actually rather trusting.

Remember: TANJ - there ain't no justice. Apart from the poor attempts we make to create it, that is.

CD

Answer 8

Where no law, there no transgression: Romans 4:15.
When no law, no sin is even IMPuted: Romans 5:13.
To wit, that God in Christ doesn't aw impute sin: 2Cor5:19.

Where and when is there no law(sin)?
The conclusion of every Pauline epistle,
including To The Hebrews and Revelation:

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.

Answer 9

Believing there's no God means I can't really be forgiven except by kindness and faulty memories.

That's good; it makes me want to be more thoughtful. I have to try to treat people right the first time around.

I don’t have the “save all” option of saying “please forgive me” and all of a sudden, all is OK.

Lies you tell about people, that effect many things to come, ideas you plant in people’s heads, cheating on your wife, all goes away with a little prayer “please forgive me”.

It’s a great gig, I can see the attraction, and personally I find it gut retching.

I am true to the only person who knows everything about me....ME

I am my own keeper

Answer 10

Karma. Tried and true! Doubt it? See for yourself! Not sure how many atheists hold this view, but it's an older one than the concept of hell, and there seems to be evidence for it, at least what I've documented in my life.