I asked because I met plenty of athiests who are good people with good hearts, help those in need, some are frinds I was in the military with. Some act like good Christians as far as their conduct and the way they treat people.
Me without God I think I would just do whatever I want, it Jesus that is helping me change my life around.
How do you guys do it on your own?
2007-09-20 16:18:07 · 40 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is because morality lies in a person's heart, not a book written more than 2,000 years ago with a set of rules that applied to the times and are now antiquated. Sometimes rationale helps us recognize that rather than pay homage to any god we must be good to the whole of humanity. God is a concept. Your concept of God, of Christ, is helping you. That's a good thing. But deep down, I believe, you in your heart are the one helping yourself, and perhaps a few others who aren't getting the recognition they deserve. Why would you do whatever you want? Do you enjoy hurting others? I doubt it. If there was no God, would you want to ruin what may be your one chance at life by being a terrible person. Whatever you call God I call a willingness and want to do right but those around you. I don't need ancient rules to tell me right from wrong. I don't think anyone does. It is the light we allow ourselves to shine and the light given us by others that makes us who we are. I wish more people would come to recognize that within themselves rather than give it all to someone who has never shown proof of existing at all.
This 'some' thing is rather prejudiced. "Some atheists". I think you'll find that most of us are pleasant and easy to talk to once you stop with the judgments. It is not "acting Christian", it's being humane. We are humane because we love life and feel compassion and empathy towards others. I doubt Christ would have appreciated the notion that only Christians can have a surplus of humanity. Didn't he preach to treat others as you would like to be treated?
2007-09-20 16:39:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Morality is the sense of treating others as you wished to be treated. It's sacraficing rights so that you can enjoy not having other people express theirs. (i.e. giving up playing music at 3 in the morning so that no one else will when you're trying to sleep)
But sometimes we do things just to be nice. Humans are social animals, and in that sense, we have a desire to help others for no apparent reason. Some people are void of this feeling, others have it buried under hate and stress, and some of us just do it for the heck of seeing that smile on the other persons face, the satisfaction of knowning we made that person's day just a little better. Without God, we have to choose whether to be nice or to be mean. I don't know about you, but when I'm nice, I'm usually cheerful, and when I'm cheerful, life is good. Everyone benefits.
2007-09-20 16:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by Ghost Wolf 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think of my friends and family. I love them and want to stay out of trouble. I also want to make a good living when I'm older, so I'm pursuing a college education and making straight A's, for the sheer pleasure of learning and seeing if I can surpass the standards I set for myself.
I'm also living in a free market secular democracy. That means I'm free to believe and behave as I want, and I do not need to worry about political or social oppression. I have no reason to live in poverty, steal food, use drugs, starve from lack of food, or any of the other realities for some people in the third world, and in our own countries.
I have no reason to behave wrongly. I also have innate compassion for human beings, and I'm naturally disgusted by violence and the oppression of other people, including women.
When I do feel the urge to behave in a naughty way, I make sure it is safe, legal, and will not haunt me later on (for example, if sleeping with a significant other, use contraception, etc. I'm not into dating of any kind at this point, but it's an example to help you get it).
The only thing that doesn't seem to work for me moral-wise is laying off the chocolate and losing the last 20 lbs. But I'm getting there, and trying 5 servings of veggies daily. Hope this helps!
2007-09-20 16:26:21 · answer #3 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
May I just say that, for you, then, I'm glad that the whole religion thing exists. If there are people out there who, without religion, would just do whatever they want without regards for others, then I am so glad that religion exists.
Look at animal societies - helping each other, working together - they do it because that kind of behavior benefits the entire group, including the person who is cooperating. It's just the best way to live your life as a member of a society.
2007-09-20 16:32:52 · answer #4 · answered by Maureen 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
>>>whilst christians say that morality isn't conceivable and not utilizing a theory in god.. Are they actually saying that they themselves might have not have been given any concern killing, raping, and stealing in the event that they knew no person replaced into finding?<< Christians do not say that morality is impossible with out God. a minimum of not Christians who fairly comprehend their stuff. Morality is amazingly conceivable with out God. The query is, no count if salvation is conceivable with out Him. a very different concern. As for killing etc ... background has shown that a guy or woman, or a society, is a few distance extra in all probability to do those issues whilst they are starting to be rid of God from the photograph. this is why the main murderous regimes in human background have been Atheist Communist ones. .
2016-10-19 06:49:28 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a conscience. Empathy. Compassion. The realization that other people are really PEOPLE, with the same capacity for joy and pain you have. The understanding that the actions of each person affects others, and the way you treat other people will make a difference in how you are treated.
Is your own morality based entirely on fear?
2007-09-20 16:25:42 · answer #6 · answered by au_catboy 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Morality... instilled by my parents, family and my upbringing. My parents didnt worry about teaching me what to believe in they taught me how to know what is right and what is wrong. I am this way because it is how I was raised, I didnt have religion in my life I didnt need it. The way I look at it no change can be sincere unless you are that change.. nobody helps you change yourself its up to you. I guess I was taught self-reliance and self accountability... I rely on myself to do what is right and I accept that I will suffer the consequences of I do wrong. I believe that all we do in this life reflects back on us.. if you do wrong you will get back what you give, if you do right you will get back what you give. I want to get good things back in my life, so I do good. When you live by that rule you can only be a good person. It makes no sense to set yourself up for a crappy life because of your own actions.. if you are good you get good back. I dont need a Jesus or a God to help me with that..
2007-09-20 16:31:41 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My own experience has shown me how it feels to be in pain - emotionally & physically. I didn't enjoy the feeling, so I do what I can to make sure I don't cause other people to feel that way. Just because you may not believe in an afterlife, doesn't mean you have the right to make this one & only existence for someone, negative & painful.
2007-09-20 16:34:15 · answer #8 · answered by MJF 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a decent human being, not a sociopath.
If you're a sociopath without God, well...
That's scary.
I understand that we're social creatures who need to get along if we're to achieve the desired end of a healthy society. Cooperation and kindness are necessary in the pursuit of our continued coexistence. As social creatures, we've developed an innate sense of moral necessity. It's necessary to be "good" to each other. If that isn't built into you then you're truly are a step back in terms of evolution.
2007-09-20 16:22:46 · answer #9 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 13⤊ 0⤋
I am an Atheist.
To me, god or gods have nothing to do with right and wrong. I have morals and values. People just know it is wrong to steal, lie, intentionally hurt people, etc.
I have issues with Christians who do horrible things (rape, molest, murder), yet they are continually forgiven by their churches. I know that no one else can justify or redeem my actions - every day, I am 100% accountable for my every word and behavior - if I mess up, no one can save me. I must live with myself. And if I ever intentionally wronged someone, I would not like myself very much.
2007-09-20 20:30:11 · answer #10 · answered by DSL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋