Atheists, when you say the Biblical God is evil, what moral standard are you using?

Question

If morals are relative or taught by society, then how can we say that these actions, written in a different time in culture, are wrong or immoral?

((I'm an atheist. I'm not defending the God of the Bible. I'm just wondering if there is more to morality than society and "common sense."))

((Also, note that I didn't mean that all atheists make this claim.))

Sorry! Too many great answers! Vote it out...

Answer 1

Mine. My morality comes from many sources.

First, I am genetically predisposed towards group bonding. Therefore, compassion for those in my "group", however defined, and enmity towards those outside of my "group" is hardwired in me. Because we tend to live as groups, we tend to form societies. Much of our genetic hardwiring helps us live near each other in relative peace.

However, society evolves much faster than our biology. Groups tend to get greatly abstracted, and we, as a society, tend to interact in a much more complicated fashion than our genetics can cope with. So, part of my morality comes from what I learn from society and how I am brought up as a person. And that can include what government, churches, family and friends tell you is right and wrong.

Ultimately, though, my morality comes from personal experience. Each of us has a different life, so our moralities will tend to differ slightly from each other. However, since we are all human, our experiences also have a lot of similarity. But it is up to each of us to determine our own moral code.

An example is how women are treated. In ancient times, women were treated as property, and we can see evidence of that in the Bible. As society evolved, we eventually realized the contribution women give to society and in the last 100 years have finally allowed women a vote. (Though other more "primitive" non-Judeo-Christian societies had also discovered this earlier) I, as a modern man, recognize that women are equals. I judge ancient societies by my standards, but I understand that in that society they had different standards for various reasons. I may not agree with their morals, but I understand why they believed what they did.

"I'm not saying he should have killed her, but I understand." - Chris Rock

Answer 2

Well for one thing there is good and bad in all People. But True God Fearing, Christ saved, Born again Christians? Will have excellent moral standards. If not. Theys not a Christian. God Bless Ya, Chicago Bob imasinner There is more joy in Jesus in one day. Than there is in the World 365/24/7 I know, I tried them both. Numbers 6:24-26

Answer 3

When life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are no longer self-evident but just a personal preference your freedom of religion (and to have none) is in grave danger.

I love that this post points out that some standard is being referred to that is clearly outside personal preference, otherwise the claim would never phrased as an objective claim "God is evil" but always as opinion "I think God is evil."

CS Lewis points out that materialists always appeal to fairness or autonomy or some other value to try and suggest you should change youre behavior - which is obviously a claim that the value is objective and should be adhered to.

We give up the self-evidence of rights at our own peril....

Answer 4

As an Agnostic - I realize that I cannot state if god is evil or good - as I have no proof of either.

However, I will take a guess as to answer your question: each person has their own moral code, regardless if they realize it or not. This individual code is based upon a lifetime of experiences and learning - and this goes for Atheists as well. Thus, if an Atheist says that "God is evil", they are making the judgment based upon their own moral code vs. what they believe god's moral code to be.

Answer 5

The Biblical God created the material world which is awash with evil things. Hence, the Biblical God must be evil as well. Ironically, the early Christian Gnostics agreed with that view.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism

"Some Gnostic philosophers identify the Demiurge with Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament, in opposition and contrast to the God of the New Testament. Still others equated the being with Satan. Catharism apparently inherited their idea of Satan as the creator of the evil world directly or indirectly from Gnosticism."

Answer 6

Maybe the only thing we can go by is God's own set of rules (they'res lots), and when he contradicts himself in a hypocitical manner of action or speech, that is when he can be put in a negative light.

Personally I believe in individual morals, but universal morals cannot exist unless they are unaninmously enforced.

This is the universe we're talking about. We act like we're the only ones here, which is, mathematically, infinitely improbable.

Answer 7

Well... if we make a determination using any God's own standards and rules, then that deity should hold up with some integrity, I would think.

If they fail to live by their own set of rules and standards, then they cannot be an infallible deity, or are at least immoral.

Therefore, a deity who states killing or murder is wrong, and then commits such an act, would, by their own standards, be immoral.

I believe the Buddha (not a God, I know...) believed killing was wrong, and then proceeded to live in a way that did not harm others. That would be moral.

That's how I form my opinion.

Answer 8

Hmmmm dunno,I guess my parents,although I differ from my mother who is very liberal minded and a peace activist...me I would rather try to do right but if someone talks down to me or gets in my face I have a tendency to punch them real hard,so I guess I have to work on that one....Morals were around long before christianity and were due to social sensitivity or lack of....

Answer 9

Look at it this way, if we as human beings can agree on anything--killing of infants because of something their parents did or were--is not a moral thing. Perhaps you won't agree with that. If you do--Soddom and Gommorah, The Flood, The last plague of egypt, Jericho-----as a human being I find this to be immoral be it committed by man or Diety.

Answer 10

the standard set in the bible. i usually say, "based on the standards laid out in the bible for what good and evil are, god must be evil."

also, i suppose i could use my own sense of morality to determine that the god of the bible is evil. genocide, promotion of slavery, killing, and rape. these sorts of things are infringements on basic human rights. someone as all knowing as god allegedly is should know this. if he's not evil he's stupid.

Answer 11

The standards set forth in the Bible, and in today's society.

Moral: Of or concerned with the judgment of the goodness or badness of human action and character. Teaching or exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior: