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In general use, it seems to me that morality means to do something that is 'good' or 'right' even if this goes against self interest. If assumes that God exists, the route of this moral code is easy enough, it is the code of God.
In a world without God, however, then there would appear to be no possibility for a transcendental moral code. Thus morality must be held in individuals, and there can be no universal wrongs or right. This means that murder, or rape, can only be wrong as a matter of perception of the individual, not inherently wrong.
I wonder how morality functions for atheists who wish to be moral? There seems no reason for morality above self interest in certain circumstance.
Moral behavior comes naturally to most people, even those who think it's "god" are still following their own code. There are technically no universal rights or wrongs, but we have evolved the intelligence to be able to comprehend emotions, unnecessary cruelty, etc, and being kind to others is also helpful to our species continued growth, considering that when you do something nice for someone else, you are likely to receive something similar in return. People call it karma, but it's simply cause and effect. You wouldn't say a lion who slowly kills an antelope simply because it wants to draw out the kill as a form of play is immoral, but if a human did the same thing they would in most societies, be looked down on. This is only because, like I previously stated, we are intelligent enough to understand the unnecessary pain we are causing to the antelope.
A "god" has absolutely nothing to do with our moral instincts. This is very clearly evidenced by how kind and helpful many atheists are, and by how many horrible cruel things are done in the name of "god".
There are bad people, and good people, everywhere, it boils down to genetics, environment, and instinct.
Moral behavior comes naturally to most people, even those who think it's "god" are still following their own code. There are technically no universal rights or wrongs, but we have evolved the intelligence to be able to comprehend emotions, unnecessary cruelty, etc, and being kind to others is also helpful to our species continued growth, considering that when you do something nice for someone else, you are likely to receive something similar in return. People call it karma, but it's simply cause and effect. You wouldn't say a lion who slowly kills an antelope simply because it wants to draw out the kill as a form of play is immoral, but if a human did the same thing they would in most societies, be looked down on. This is only because, like I previously stated, we are intelligent enough to understand the unnecessary pain we are causing to the antelope.
A "god" has absolutely nothing to do with our moral instincts. This is very clearly evidenced by how kind and helpful many atheists are, and by how many horrible cruel things are done in the name of "god".
There are bad people, and good people, everywhere, it boils down to genetics, environment, and instinct.
Whilst I don't disagree with what you say, it seems to me that what you have described isn't morality in its general use. Morality in your description comes down to self interest and biology - which seems not really to describe morality.
If morality is simply a matter holding to the rules of society, that have proven to have been in the self interests of people in that society, doesn't it stop being morality and start being basic self interest?
In general use, it seems to me that morality means to do something that is 'good' or 'right' even if this goes against self interest. If assumes that God exists, the route of this moral code is easy enough, it is the code of God.
In a world without God, however, then there would appear to be no possibility for a transcendental moral code. Thus morality must be held in individuals, and there can be no universal wrongs or right. This means that murder, or rape, can only be wrong as a matter of perception of the individual, not inherently wrong.
I wonder how morality functions for atheists who wish to be moral? There seems no reason for morality above self interest in certain circumstance.
People that need an outside source for moral guidance scare me.
In general use, it seems to me that morality means to do something that is 'good' or 'right' even if this goes against self interest. If assumes that God exists, the route of this moral code is easy enough, it is the code of God.
In a world without God, however, then there would appear to be no possibility for a transcendental moral code. Thus morality must be held in individuals, and there can be no universal wrongs or right. This means that murder, or rape, can only be wrong as a matter of perception of the individual, not inherently wrong.
I wonder how morality functions for atheists who wish to be moral? There seems no reason for morality above self interest in certain circumstance.
Good grief, this old pile of dung again? The majority of immoral people in this word are believers, not atheists...Look at the prison statistics for a start.
Good grief, this old pile of dung again? The majority of immoral people in this word are believers, not atheists...Look at the prison statistics for a start.
If people follow the moral codel is irrelevant to if a moral code can exist without God.
There is no such thing is a moral "code", just moral behavior.
Which by the way, exists everyday without a "god", considering a "god" does not exist.
If you refuse to understand that people choose to be moral because they understand the reasons to be moral, and not because of some "code" or "outside guidance" then I just don't know what else to say.
I will never understand why so many people have a hard time accepting that you can be a good person without being religious. It really is disheartening.
Yes, a moral code can exists without God because morality is real; and God isn't.
If morality is real then it must exist somewhere, if its not just held by individuals then it must be held externally. So the question comes as to where?
Moral codes exist because humans choose to live together. In order for a society to thrive and survive - there needs to be some sort of moral code. Different cultures have different moral codes. This is not necessarily based on religion or lack there of. A society could not exist where killing, rape, and stealing were running rampant.
Factor in also that for almost all people - killing other humans, raping, and stealing are not our natural instincts. If these are your natural instincts - you probably have some serious psychological problems.
I'm not religious. I am still a moral person and I always have been.
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