Do we know now where those crazy atheists get their morals?

Question

Here's an article from Yahoo. Do you think this has raminfications for our understanding of empathy and correct behaviour within society?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20071212/ts_csm/ababy

Wow... my sarcasm is off today! Straight, it goes exactly to my point! :-)

Answer 1

In terms of the evolution of the human race, this makes perfect sense. If a young child were to trust someone that has been seen hurting other children, then it would probably have been hurt, or even killed (in prehistoric human societies). --Obviously, if you're dumb enough to think the earth is only 6000 years old, then this is meaningless to you, just turn on FoxNews and forget all about reality. -- So, children that kept near those they could trust were more likely to survive, pass on their genes, and this innate trait.

Answer 2

I know some atheists that have better morals than some Christians, and I know some Christians that have better morals than some atheists. I don't see any difference in morality levels, in general, between atheists and Christians or any other denomination for that matter.

As for the article you presented to us, it doesn't say anything about religion or lack of religion. If anything, the article shows that babies have an idea of what a good or a bad person is like before they know anything about religion. I think this article actually goes against your point.

Correction - I now see what your point is with this article. You are being sarcastic about what religious people think about atheists, and this article flies in the face of religion being where we get our morals. Good one! Forgive me, I can be a little gullible at times.

Answer 3

every society has their own basic ethical and moral values which are the "norm" and pretty much anyone with a conscious , follows them. YOU , as in the person who is reading this right now in the 21st century doesnt HAVE to read the bible to learn morals , especially if you live in a country who is primarily judeo-christain. WHY? becuase the bible and other holy books are SO old and so widely read that people who read them in the past ,passed their set morality from their generation to the next. Morality as we see it today is probably stemmed from some form of religious belief if you trace it far enough....so in truth , please dont bash the athiests and those who are atheists be aware that every day you dont lie,cheat,steal,kill; you are following a commandment from the bible ..even if its not your intension or you dont "belive in a higher power' . just becuase you cant see it doesnt mean that it does not exist , if you are so closed minded as to say that there is NOT somthing greater than you and me , and that "god is a delusion" well then why not contradict the laws of science and deny music if you are deaf and natural beauty if you are blind.. denyi love . god is is not somthing you can see , its a force you can only feel.

Answer 4

we are incredibly lots the same guy or woman different than i'm no longer financially able to circulate over seas, or holidays for that count. I volunteer, provide to charity, provide blood, and that i've got given rides to strangers, and drifters that are the strangest strangers yet have the appropriate memories and perspectives in existence. factor is that morals come from interior of. they seem to be a private determination that impact your character and the style you reside your stay. Morals do no longer come from a sequence of regulations created in a faith. every physique who says that Atheists have no morals and run around committing crimes would not understand the 1st ingredient approximately the two morals, atheism, or faith for that count.

Answer 5

Is the sentimental identification with others (empathy and sympathy) a firm foundation for morality? After all, they're just feelings and what moral authority do feelings have? None that I know of. Whatever happened to reason in making moral decisions?

Answer 6

I'm with Bregweid, except I have witnessed our social conditioning firsthand, and I do believe that is something that they do learn firsthand from us. I know our children have learned to discriminate, not just from their father and myself, but from how they have been treated by others.
I am not surprised by the findings of the study for. I discovered it for myself when I worked at a daycare, and children ARE naturally loving and accepting of people that they know are instinctively good. That's how you can tell if there is any sort of abuse coming from within the family home, although I never had to deal with that, other than mothers being beat, and stuff like that. Ugh, it was horrible, finding out stuff like that.

Answer 7

That was a very interesting article, thank you.

Genetics and babies are both more complex than we like to admit.
I find it a surprise that a baby can figure out who is being helped or hinderedThat study might not answer the question of morality but it does help peice it in a bit.

Answer 8

Indeed, I'd say that morals are basically embedded in out genetic material like in other species.

Similar "moral" concepts can be found among primates, dogs, and cats. A standard set of morals that allows them to socialize and to develop in their own societies. This includes (not limited to) natural selection of a pack leader, group hunting, and social development among it's own species.

Answer 9

By morals do you mean laws?
By using of laws all perish: Colossians 2:20-22.

By morals do you mean principles?
Leave principles to go on to perfection: Hebrews 6:1

As for atheists, let them play "their part": has "their end".
Dt32:20.Ps28:4.2Cor11:15.Gal 1:8.1Pet 4:14.Rev 21:8

It won't change the end of the God Shew already written,
but will make what's written in Galatians 3 more "evident".

Grace --> Mercy --> Peace with you all. Amen.

Answer 10

I get my morals from a far more decent place than a theist. My morals come from me, not some delusion. So though my morals may have been tainted by Christianity as a child, I'm right on track now.