Is it possible for an Athiest to be a moral person?

Question

Somehow I think not.
Someone once said those who believe in nothing now, will believe everything later and how sad it must be to know that every breathe you take is a Sin according to God.
Your very being disgust me to the point of sickness, you must glee with happiness to live your life in abomination.

How Sad.

Answer 1

Bottoms Up!

My dear sir, I do believe you are trying to get me drunk!

Answer 2

You make absolutely no sense. Sin doesn't exist, and neither does your god. Morality in humans, as in other social animals, evolved or the species wouldn't have survived. It doesn't take belief in a god to know that if you're not safe, neither am I. It's just common sense. In any event, if you've actually read the christian bible, you'd know that the morality contained therein is very different than the morality that we find acceptable today. We no longer stone disobedient children to death, nor do we have slaves.

Get off your high horse, and use your brain. Most of the world's knowledge is at your fingertips on the Internet. Take advantage of it and learn something.

* * *

Why Christians Must Steal From Secular Morality:
http://www.caseagainstfaith.com/submissions/steal_morality.htm
[Excerpt]

Christians must steal their moral rules from secular morality. They have no choice, as the Bible does not offer a moral system, it only offers a series of contradictory commands and a supposed threat of punishment in the "afterlife" for not following them - a punishment that is given equally to all violators - whatever the sin.

The Bible does nothing and can do nothing towards inculcating moral behavior on its own. Christians must steal from secular moral systems, and then merely graft their 'God threats' on top of this moral system. This is necessary. And the reason for this is simple: there is no morality in the Bible and there can be no morality in the Bible, because the Bible holds that 1) ALL 'sins' are equivalent (destroying any moral sense) AND 2) all moral behavior is immaterial, because works cannot save a person, AND finally all people are damned from birth.

In reality, Christians realize that some actions are more moral than others. They realize that moral actions exist in a hierarchy, and that rape is far worse than stealing a pencil. Yet the Bible holds that all 'sins' are equal, as all deserve the same punishment.

Christians also realize that humans can be moral agents... they expect moral behavior from others, and they view their own children as something to value. Yet the Bible holds that man is worthless, that he cannot be a moral agent, and that his sole salvation comes from grace. However, since Christians realize, implicitly, that all of these these points are obviously, prima facie false, they must steal from secular systems, that hold that 1) man obviously has a value 2) all 'sins' are obviously not equivalent and 3) a person cannot be held to be doing anything 'immoral' without intent.

* * *

Origins of the 10 commandments:
http://www.atheistalliance.org/outreach/news-2002_spring.php
http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/ten_commandments.htm

Morality Without God:
http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/cohen.html

Ethics Without Gods:
http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/ethics.html

Morals Without Gods:
http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=library&page=sharris_26_3

Evolution of Altruism:
http://endeavor.med.nyu.edu/~strone01/altruism.html

If It Feels Good to Be Good, It Might Be Only Natural:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/27/AR2007052701056.html?nav=rss_print/asection

The Subtle, Lethal Poison of Religion:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2007/09/hitchens_1.html

Answer 3

Yes that's right. Atheists (notice my correct spelling) gleefuly rub their hands together when they find out just how they can live so that they go against everything you think.

............

Of COURSE it's possible for an atheist to be a moral person, dumbass. Just because they aren't scared into being good with the prospect of hell doesn't mean they can't distinguish between right and wrong.

But I honestly think YOUR morals are sad. What happened to loving your fellow man? "every breath you take is a sin"???? Jesus. Lighten up, and don't be such an arrogant *rse.

Answer 4

it is possible. everyone is taught things in life. brought up a certain way. so how can you say that just because athiests cant be a moral person just because they dont believe in the same thing that you do. and athiests obviously dont believe in what you do. so every breathe they take isnt a sin. all im saying is dont be so judgemental. you're not being a very moral person thinking this way. just because you believe in a certain religion doesnt give you the right to look down on others that dont. or pity them.

Answer 5

Of course an atheist is a moral person. Morals are relative to the culture, and instilled in part by peers, parents and local society. The actions of every individual in every society are a result of their moral belief. The bomber who kills 100's in the city square has done so according to his moral belief that he has the right, the duty to enact his morals upon another. Thankfully in our society the higher morals we strive towards respect others and try to make the world a better place - ironically, a world with morals OUR culture values.

Answer 6

Boy are you flipped out. When you get that violation notice tomorrow, wake up.

I am the most moral person I know, and I believe all religion is silly, made up, pretend, and useless. I am honest, worthy of praise, kind, not that great of a cook, but sweet as sugar. I know to do the right thing, because it's the right thing to do. Not because some book tells me to. I'm a lot stronger than that.

Answer 7

1. Take a step off your high horse there chief, and take a seat.
2. Why is it not possible for an atheist, someone who merely doesn't believe in a larger entity, to be moral and well guided?

The morals that God teaches aren't religion-specific - they're common sense rules that everyone should follow regardless, they're only so closely associated with the bible because people believe that it's "God's word".

It's common knowledge that killing is wrong - the bible tells us this, and even I, an atheist, grew up learning this.
We all learn a sense of right and wrong - whether we're Buddhists, Atheists, Christians, Jews, etc.

Morals and moral code of ethics are not religion specific.
Atheists are generally very morally guided and well mannered.

Answer 8

I still live by a number of the values I was taught as a christian, and I've been through a spiritual wild ride all my life.. I considered Satanism for a short time and i'm not saying that to be silly, or provoke anyone...

I still believe in kindness to other people believe it or not, and for me that guiding principal illuminates my moral path in all other things regardless of where my spiritual journey takes me.

Answer 9

I take it you derive your morality from the Bible. Do you beat (technically, you're supposed to execute) your children when they are disobedient? If you say no, you're going against the Bible. Sure, you may say something such as, "Jesus changed all that." However, Jesus also said the Law (the 613 Old Testament laws) shall not change. If you do not execute your children, you are clearly basing your morality on some extra-Biblical source.

We as atheists realize that if we commit immoral acts, we are going to be remembered for them for the rest of humanity. However, Christians believe that they can be forgiven of all sins, so even the most heinous crimes can be forgiven.

Answer 10

Who is going to waste their time writing a good response when you obviously aren't going to pay any attention? Why are you even bothering to ask this question when you've clearly already answered it? And has it ever crossed your mind that there might be something more to morality than fear of punishment or hope for reward?

How sad.

Answer 11

Most of them are very moral and not an abomination
they just don't believe in God
this is not the way to convince them
Love is the key