How do Atheists know they are good people? By what standard?

Question

Mr. Could: Your right, everyone knows the difference between right and wrong. And the God of Israel has made it known to man. As for animals, they are still clueless.

wes: And who's laws are we to follow?Yours or mine? Believe me, you should be thanking God that I follow His laws.

taelec: Basic decency? Mine or yours?

Garrett B: Who are to say that your sister stealing is bad. Where did you get that truth?

Gorg: Where did 'heart felt compassion' evolve from? Survival of the fittest?

A.is smarter than C.: You seem like a nice person. Just admit you learned charity from Christians. You would be smarter if you did.

Wes: But God did make the laws for this planet. Your under His laws all the time. You just fail to acknowledge this fact. Nazi Germany made laws that I believe were wrong. But I guess you would let them decide for you what is right or wrong.

wes: Why the rant? Can't we discuss? Ignorant lives? I mean, come on. Do you really think we're ignorant? I don't cheat on my wife because the Bible says it wrong. I don't deceive my co-workers because the Bible says it wrong. I'm gracious to my neighbors because it's the right thing to do. There are no man made laws about being decent to each other. I'm decent because it pleases God.

Nadine P: I'm happy with what ever you want to believe. I'm just looking to see what standard you use to measure right from wrong. If moral relativism is your standard than just say it. Then we can move on to the logic or illogic of relativism.

Answer 1

you make a very good point and so far , in everyone's wordly wisdom, I don't see anyone that has actually answered your question.

They dont seem to get the whole , who or what is the ultimate authority over what is and what is not moral. It is quite obvious that we cannot be our own authority, everyone cannot decide for themselves what is and what is not moral.
The person that steals a loaf of bread because they are hungry may feel they are right in doing so but the person that was stolen from does not see that there is any reason ever someone should steal. One can steal for the sport of it while another steals for bread- who can judge their heart or intent??
This universe revolves around law and order - if fallible man was alone responsible for keeping law and order , there would be nothing but chaos. All of the laws of our land are based on God's laws and His order - eve the atheist follows the laws God created, they just refuse to credit Him for it.

Man is not even capable of keeping his own tongue and heart in perfect order- how can anyone think the order and morality of the universe can be soley attributed to man??
There has to be a standard, a foundation for what is right and wrong and God is that solid rock foundation- unchanging and infallible.

Answer 2

>>And who's laws are we to follow?Yours or mine? Believe me, you should be thanking God that I follow His laws.<<

Why? If you didn't believe in God, would you randomly go around murdering people? Would you go around robbing people? Would you neglect your children? You do not seem to grasp the idea that atheists do not believe in God so why would they thank him for anything? Why can't you just accept the fact that there are people who do not think and believe as you so and that they have the right to not think and believe as you do? Be happy in your faith and let others be happy in their lack thereof. Edit: What are you talking about? I do not murder; I do not steal; I volunteer; I donate; I take care of those less fortunate than I am; I try to help when I can. I raised my children to be caring, thoughtful people with critical thinking skills. Caring and thoughtful because we all live on this small planet and if we all didn't care about each other, there would be anarchy. I treat others the way I would like to be treated because it makes logical sense to do that. And my "morality" does not come from God. Maybe you wouldn't know what was right or wrong without God telling you...but I can make that distinction.

Answer 3

I do not say I am good or bad. I see Christian hypocrites say they are good and do bad things. My oldest sister sits in church 3 times a week and then steals, blackmails, slanders and even slyly tries to kill people to take their property. I do not trust her with Mom. I am much better than she is for sure. I find my standards by logic, and I need no outmoded book about some primitive deity that is filled with contradictions and errors in science to tell me how to behave. Much of the stuff in the Bible is designed to make people feel guilty over nothing at all. I reject such nonsense as that. i just saw a man at a bus stop who said he is studying some Bible program at a mission and he has problems not looking lustfully at attractive women walking by. I told him nothing is wrong with that. if he didn't, he might be gay or a eunuch. I see that stuff in the bible is just silly. I use logic, rather than blindly following nonsense, as the man at the bus stop does.

Answer 4

honor, pride, chivalry

here are some facts, most atheists know science well or just enough, when people are smart like that, they tend to be good people because they obey the law, they have good jobs, and they just want a happy life. people like you are ether young and dont know, or are so blindedd by faith and religion you cant see anything else.

edit:
the laws of the country, the laws of the state, the laws of the city, and the laws of the town you live in, you do not live by the laws of god, u live by the laws made by those who created religion and those who changed them. god has nothing to do with what laws are on the planet, if god did, god would make sure the whole planet, the whole civilization, the whole universe would know. think before you speak, go back to school.

edit2:
you are blinde, you wont except any real answer, you only except the one u think is right in your head that you made up before even asking the question. all of you people need to do one thing for a year, THINK ON YOUR OWN, by that i mean, stay out of the religion u believe in, stay out of the one book you believe in, and think for your self, study, learn about the world, and if your still not convinced and know nothing, then continue on with your ignorant lives

Answer 5

Everybody knows the difference between right and wrong, even church folks.

You cannot hide behind your god. You do know right from wrong. No matter what kind of weird things your god did in the Bible you are still accountable for your own actions.

It might surprise you to learn your god does not exist, anyway.
So why not get real? You'll be glad you did.

Answer 6

By my own personal standard unlike a christian I will never expect to be forgiven for my acts I must live with them my entire life. This in and of itself is a good basis for morality.

Answer 7

From Harry Potter books.

Answer 8

Society sets up moral standards, not religion. If you look into the moral ethics of each religion, they are all basically the same, even those who have no religion.

Answer 9

Well, gee, let me think. I hold the door for elderly people when I can. I give to charity when I can afford to and I never litter. Oh, yeah...and I've never killed anyone, I don't steal and I never take a penny, but I always leave a penny. :) How do Christians know when "God" is listening? Do their ears burn? hehehe

Answer 10

By the same standards you use to determine "goodness", which you then claim is only understandable through your god... which, of course, is impossible unless you already have standards by which you measure goodness and badness, otherwise you wouldn't be able to tell that your god is "good".