ATHEISTS: Do you deny objective morality?

Question

Do you deny objective morality; that the difference between Gandhi and Hitler is not just a matter of preference, like chocolate vs. vanilla ice cream? If not, then how do you ground morality; how do you explain where it came from and why we ought to be moral tomorrow?

With no divine author or judge there is no reason to think that there should be any moral laws that we are obliged to recognize and keep, except for self-serving reasons. And yet, morality aligns with our deepest intuitions: we expect others to recognize it; we urge our kids to exercise it; therapists get rich repairing the effects of its abuse; we judge criminals insane if they do not recognize it; and all cultures affirm it in common principle if not in individual application.

Answer 1

my brain tells me whats right and wrong

Answer 2

That is just stupid.
Hitler was a Christian and Gandhi was a Hindu, are you claiming that their religion was the deciding factor in how they behaved and the choices they made? That's a damning opinion of Christians you have there!
That is how stupid your question is.... just because I act morally without fear does not mean I pick and choose my right and wrongs. Civilisation has only survived due to common morals which are upheld in the majority and evolved along with advancements.
I'm certainly no the right person to explain morality to you but then, I also think you are being more than slightly facetious in you question.
Why do some Christians hate homosexuals but work on a Sunday? Why do some Christians accept that the bible is not literal and use it as a comforting "guide to life" and some will argue the earth is about 6000 years old?
the use of common sense has an astonishing affect on the beliefs that one holds and the manner in which one lives their life.

Answer 3

LOL

You're kidding, right?

In case you're not, let me enlighten you. First of all, atheists are among the few who practice objective morality. It is not atheism that preaches that Gandhi went to hell, but Hitler went to heaven.
Personally, I decide if something is moral based on the question, "How would the world be if everyone did this?" If the world would be worse off, I assume it is immoral. If the entire world walks into a store and steals, the store would go out of business. If everyone started murdering others for reasons other than self-defense, society could lose contributing members.
Atheists don't need a "divine author or judge," because they are smart enough to use their own brains. I suggest you try to do the same. It won't be easy at first, but once the affects of your brainwashing start to wear off, you'll see how much more logically you can lead your life.

Answer 4

"With no divine author or judge there is no reason to think that there should be any moral laws that we are obliged to recognize and keep ...."

But there are. We live in a society, with other people. Morality is the glue that holds society together, and the grease that keeps it moving along. We have morals in order to live with each other. Why do we need to have some heavenly scorekeeper keeping track of us when we should just do it so that we can live together?

Answer 5

I must have answered this a couple dozen times already .
Morals did not originate from religion . Sure , churches teach certain morals , but morals far predate any of the present religions .
Morals are closely related to civil law . Both started back in the stone age. Rules were made to protect the weak from the strong , to protect a persons property , to protect children and women , to care for the weak or sick .
The name for morals and laws is civilization - - - not religion.
One of the commandments says , " Thou shalt not steal " , but the church doesn't hesitate to steal credit for the morals that are practiced by all civilized people .

Answer 6

These are the facts.
I am an atheist of some 53 years standing (and sitting and lying down).
I do not need an invisble and silent supposed supernatural entity to define how I live my life.
I do not need the fear of a non-existent hell in order for me to behave in a civilised manner.
It comes naturally.
Religion is a curse upon mankind.
For any christians, or even muslims, reading this, do try researching the Egyptian god Horus and see, maybe for your first time ever, where your cloned religion actually originated.
Then out your brain to work and re-think your stance.
This could be the first step towards accepting reality.
This could change your life.

Answer 7

How could I deny it. I really don't know what you mean by objective morality.

I believe we have evolved to have empathy. I believe there are objective logical truths (mathematics and logic ) which we apply to ethics because we have that evolved empathy. Without an explicit definition of what you mean by objective morality it is hard to answer the question.

I don't believe in an imaginary god. But I do believe there are objective truths.

If there is an objective morality it certainly is NOT the Christian moralty which has no problem with slavery but clearly states that working on Sunday is expressly forbidden.

Answer 8

The very fact that you have a sense of morality at an instinctive level should tell you that it is a product of evolution. Take a look at all social animals, they tend to exhibit many of the same morals that we do, if not to a higher degree. In species that fight over a spouse, the combat is terminated prior to death, even though it could continue. Chimps practice cannibalism, but only on defeated enemies. The list of corollaries goes on.

Answer 9

well...
i'm gonna give this a pretty short answer...
i think there is such a thing as objective morality, because of our shared human experience allows us empathy.
a good action is that which reduces human suffering, and a bad one is that which increases it.
sorting out the proper course of action is often tricker than that, though - but that's the "rule" I go by.
there are definately actions that are good-- those which give aid to other people while harming no one else, that is the ideal..
and then there are evil actions, actions which harm many others for the benefit of the few, without any pressing need to do so.

Answer 10

So basically, you're saying that without the threat of some supernatural being looking over your shoulder, you can't behave yourself. Well, don't project that onto the rest of society. People had consciences before they ever dreamed up any gods, and it only takes a little empathy, intelligence, and common sense to discern right from wrong.

That's how a society functions without leafing through some ancient book of scriptures every time it needs to pass a law. Societies share common societal values. If you don't have those, you are, by definition, antisocial. And if you think that only God's laws count, then you are indeed antisocial.

I don't need a god to tell that me killing and stealing are wrong. I'm sorry that you do.

Besides, history has shown all too painfully that belief in gods has never stopped people from torturing and killing. Those things have often been done in the name of gods.

And do you really want to take your morality from Bible God? Well, then, you'd better be prepared to stone your children to death when they mouth off at you. Or be prepared to die yourself if you do any work on the Sabbath. Assuming you're female, I hope you don't speak in church, either.

Thanks, but I'll stick with my own common sense. And I'm happy to rely on human-appointed cops and judges to take care of society's ruffians. If you want to live in a country where right and wrong are dictated by religion, I think there are several Middle Eastern countries that might appeal to you.

I've never killed anyone. I've never stolen. I've never thrown a punch in my life. I don't get drunk. I've never used illicit drugs. I don't cheat on my taxes, or my wife. I give to charity. And I do all this without believing in a personal god who will judge me when I die.

Imagine that.

Answer 11

I am an anarchist. I do not live buy the code of others, but by a code of my own Invention. To unquestioningly follow an established set of rules or standards is to blindly follow authority. I have decided what is right and wrong for my self. I have found my own way to judge an action as either right or wrong. Unless you do the same you will never know your true self. You will never know what you actually believe. Religion is a crutch. It is for those to weak to think for them selves.