Q to Atheists on Morality?

Question

I'm an atheist and I've heard from various people who didn't know where I stand that "atheists are immoral" and "atheists are amoral."

My question is this: How do you view yourself vis-a-vis religious people (regardless of their faith) when it comes to morality?

Have you encountered the same kinds of stereotypical arguments and if so, how do you deal with them?

Does it make you angry or are you okay ignoring them? Do you argue and/or challenge the statements?

Thank you all for your considerate and intelligent responses. It is obviously impossible to pick a "best answer", so I won't, but I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has encountered this problem. I do agree with the statements that atheists have a keener sense of morality and have to examine moral rules on the merits, rather than just accept them as given. I feel reassured to continue to "ignore and live by example," though at times it is hard to maintain composure esp. now that atheism is a hot topic again in the media.
Thanks again :-)

Answer 1

easiest to ignore-at best its a drinking question and i treat it accordingly-my profile answers that question if they are really curious so i assume most are just trolling for a response--just my thoughts-smile and enjoy the night

Answer 2

It makes me very angry, because they're judging something that they can't possibly know about me.

I think I'd probably use the, "Well, if I'm immoral, I think I'm going to go get that knife in my kitchen and cook you up now."

But on a more serious note, I think that we, as atheists, hold ourself to a much more daunting moral code than any religious person could dream of. We don't have some big scary guy in the sky telling us 'no killing' or there's 'hell'. We have to be moral for the sake of morality, for the sake of loving people (without having to be told that loving people is good), and without anyone threatening us with punishment. It's like becoming an adult. You don't steal candy because "Mommy said no," you don't steal candy because you just don't do that to the store owner who has bills to pay and isn't doing so well financially.

However, if you say an atheist is more moral than a theist, good luck with the uproar. They won't even listen. Which makes me think that ignoring is best, because listening is something theists rarely do.

Answer 3

I despise the word morality. Morality is the word you apply to yourself to make it feel as though what you do is verifiably kind and right, and gives you leverage to question others behavior. I have no say on what is moral and what is not, and I will not say that I, myself, am moral by definition. I could not even say that I was a good person, that I am even worth the air that I breathe. And, yet, other people tend to think that I am a good person. I try not to give off the air of someone who is that intentionally, however.

I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't have sex, I don't have fights, I don't curse (well, too often, at least), I rarely get into arguments, and I don't do drugs. But that doesn't make me moral, because I do not abstain from such activities due to ethical principles...I just don't do them because I haven't had the opportunity or because I am afraid of doing it...or at least that's what I like to say...

Answer 4

I think the idea that morality comes from the bible (or any other scripture for that matter) is ridiculous. If you read the bible it is pretty clear that it condones and glorifies some pretty heinous acts. People can differentiate between good and bad in the bible, but not because the bible gives you guidelines on it, rather because it is common sense. People can cherry pick right and wrong from the bible which proves that they have some sort of independent thought on the subject.

Besides as I've said many times before, a person being good in hopes of a reward or in fear of punishment is not a good person with a noble reason to be good.

Answer 5

Is it moral for the christian community to have to be told what to do - when and how etc. They are apparently infants and will remain so if they cannot decipher right from wrong.

Their book of morals....Read the story of Job, he was tormented lost everything including his first wife and children. Then when the good god said 'enough' he was awarded a new family. What a nice moral ......He takes it all away - like it never happened then gives anew.....Then the dashing of babies against the walls and tearing open of pregnant woman is another great moral. Please --- what kind of morality does that book give anyone?

Answer 6

1st q- i feel i am more ethical and follow my morals for a better reason. i am not scared into being good, and i don't think if i do something bad i can just get off the hook by asking an imaginary friend for forgiveness.
2nd q- only on this forum really. most of my friends are pretty open minded.
3rd q- i'm ok ignoring them, but sometimes it's ok to challenge the statement if you think you can really get through to the person. some people i just don't bother trying to talk to because they don't want to listen.

Answer 7

I personally don't mind what others believe as long as they don't ram it down my throat. I think that seems to be the only issue that I have, as many who do believe seem to think that everyone else should and then see at as their mission to enlighten those who don't. This irritates me as from my point of view I find it extremely annoying to see people so involved in worshiping something that I see as silly nonsense but I don't tell them they should stop, where they seem to think they have the right to tell me what to do.

I have a high set of standards and rules for my own life and family and try very hard to do the right thing by others and religion isnt going to help or hinder my moral standards

Answer 8

I'm an Atheist, and I don't need to believe in a higher power in order to follow my morals. I do what I feel is right, not following a handbook only because I'm afraid to go to hell. I'm a very moralistic person and when deeply religious people stare down on me, I think it is very ignorant and they should probably check their own morals with their god for being so judgemental before insulting mine.

Answer 9

Anyone who would believe that just because someone is an atheist that they're an "immoral" person is an absolute idiot who is not worth my time. However, I do like saying "now let's say, obviously hypothetically, we were able to prove that god does not exist for a fact. Would you all of a sudden go out on a murdering rampage, stealing, and coveting thy neighbor's wife? Of course not."

Answer 10

oh but if you don't believe in god, then you must be a child molester, liar, thief, killer, etc etc. cause the bible has ten commandments. and stupid ppl believe if you don't follow the bible, you must break every common sense rule out there.....they cant figure out how someone can be a decent human being if they don't drop coins in their collection plate. i don't bother arguing with close minded ppl , so if i were you, i would never bring religion up, like at the work place, etc. Christmas hymns don't bother me, i think they are cute, i wont pray when someone else does before eating, but i don't belittle them either. just go on with your life, be happy, and show the world your a good person.

Answer 11

I think that atheists are far more moral than those who worship a book advocating decapitation and stoning to death non-virgin child brides.

Human empathy is constant and cultureless. I don't need to wander around mumbling to an invisible sky deity to know right from wrong.