Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have known self-advertised "christians" who think that it is ok to lie to, steal from, and even kill people who did not believe as they did. Any time a business advertises itself as "christian" I keep going to the next one. If they feel the need to be Pharisees, then I know which religion they truly believe in - Mammon.
Atheists can have a moral code where they realize that it is self-injurious to lie, cheat, steal, or kill. They can have a simple common sense approach to life, where harming others means ultimately harming themselves. Like some Christians use their religion, however, some atheists use their lack of religion as an excuse for their behavior - "I'm not going to Hell no matter what I do!" applies to both the immoral atheist as to the immoral Christian. The former because he doesn't believe in Hell, and the latter because he thinks it is for anyone else who doesn't believe as he.
I don't see why morality would be solely connected with belief in a higher power. Isn't that like presuming that the only reason people behave morally is out of fear of damnation to hell. If morality were so closely linked to fear of punishment, wouldn't our judicial system be working better?
I believe that people are moral because they want to be. There is a self-satisfaction in doing the right thing. I think I started to learn that by being of service to others (volunteering). That's why I think its so important for children and teens to do community service either through school or family. It leads to better empathy as well as pride.
I think morality is not tied to religion, although most religions give it at least superficial lip service.
As an agnostic, I try to live my life with a very simple goal --- to do the kindest thing. That's it, and it's worked pretty well. Do I always follow it? No, but not because I think I can't go to hell so BRING ON THE SIN! But because I'm human. Just like the ultra religous. I just don't pretend my transgressions are meaningless because I accept Jesus as my savior. Instead, I apologize to whomever I did wrong, and I try to not repeat that behavior again.
Although, if I flipped you off in traffic I am sorry but I can't promise that won't happen again
Since they believe that you answer only to mankind they have nothing to live upto but their own personal rules. Few can agree to the rules of others. Its a whatever you think is right world and it doesn't have to be good for anyone but yourself thing.Bart Simpson morals.
Since they believe that you answer only to mankind they have nothing to live upto but their own personal rules. Few can agree to the rules of others. Its a whatever you think is right world and it doesn't have to be good for anyone but yourself thing.Bart Simpson morals.
In the contrary, they recognize that if they screw up this time, they dont get to try again. This is the only chance they get, so they have to make this their heaven on earth, by treating other people fairtly and decently and honestly, so society will reciprocate, and they look at other people getting along, and feel OK with their conscience. (Christians don't need one of those, because they've got a pass.) Atheists can't do whatever they want to whomever they want, and then just accept the lord as their savior and start over again in some new heaven.
They can't just nuke some continent, and then say to God, "What do you want me to say, I'm sorry? OK,, I'm Sorry. Jeez!" And then everything is fine.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
