Where do atheists get their morality?

farmerbyron · Mar 28, 2015

I think the surrounding culture has influence over a general sense of morality among atheists. Humans are naturally an altruistic species but we are higher functioning than most of the other species that exhibit the same behavior. I guess that is what people consider consciousness. The overriding truth of reality is its indifference toward the plight of man. The most moral are stricken with horrific diseases and misfortune and the most vile are often rewarded with good luck and fortune. It makes no difference either way. Sure, good fortune can come and often does to people whom act in a moral way. Just like being an ass can come back around at you. But that is a function of your actions and not the punishment or reward by a deity. You reap what you sew for the most part in regards for interaction with others.

RidgeHunter · Mar 28, 2015

Personally whenever I can't tell the difference between right and wrong I just commit the confusing act and wait for a religious person to tell me if it was wrong.

I only had to murder, rape and steal a few times before I got a decent dense of morality this way. I highly recommend it for those of you who are "hands-on" learners like myself. I can read in a book all day that beating the **** out of old ladies at the casino parking lot is wrong, but it never really sinks in, ya know? But bloody an octogenarian's nose in front of a Flawless Follower two or three times and buddy, believe me - there will not be a fourth. Apparently you "hate the sin" (gambling) not the sinner (grandma). Honestly...how was I to get that nuance?

I don't believe in god, but I sure thank him for making the majority of the world's population so much better than me.

farmerbyron · Mar 28, 2015

DrinkYourMilkshake said:
Obviously it requires some spark. Otherwise we'd all be selfish killers rapists and good for nothings.

I wonder if birds that mate for life have little birdie bibles and go to little birdie church on Sunday to learn about monogamy or caring for their young or chasing predators away from the group. Do they have little birdie suits and little birdie Sunday dresses? Do they all go to little birdie Lupes Cafe afterwards?

Not all species of birds exhibit monogamous behavior. I suspect that monogamy offers some evolutionary advantage to those birds that exhibit that behavior. And polygamy is widely practiced worldwide as very moral behavior. So I don't believe monogamy has anything to do with morality. It is just the societal norm for western culture.

DrinkYourMilkshake · Mar 28, 2015

farmerbyron said:
Not all species of birds exhibit monogamous behavior. I suspect that monogamy offers some evolutionary advantage to those birds that exhibit that behavior. And polygamy is widely practiced worldwide as very moral behavior. So I don't believe monogamy has anything to do with morality. It is just the societal norm for western culture.

Exactly my point.

The most righteous Christian on this board is most likely a lustful, evil pariah when viewed from the Amish community.

cjjtulsa · Mar 28, 2015

RidgeHunter said:
Personally whenever I can't tell the difference between right and wrong I just commit the confusing act and wait for a religious person to tell me if it was wrong.

And that would probably be shortly after they committed the same acts themselves. Only difference, they get to use the copouts that "all men are sinners", and they "asked for forgiveness". Pretty cool deal to be a perpetual sinner like the rest of society's dregs, but be able to use the perpetual get out of jail free card with an "I'm sorry, God".

DrinkYourMilkshake · Mar 28, 2015

That's kind of unfair to paint them with a broad stroke like that.

cjjtulsa · Mar 28, 2015

DrinkYourMilkshake said:
That's kind of unfair to paint them with a broad stroke like that.

Yes, not all Christians are like that I know, but it has been my experience with the bulk of the ones I've known (at least of the ones who like to boast about it). Then again, not all Atheists are out to remove the 10 Commandments monuments and have "In God We Trust" taken off of the currency, either - so it's a two way street. (For the record, I'm not an Atheist)

DrinkYourMilkshake · Mar 28, 2015

cjjtulsa said:
Yes, not all Christians are like that I know, but it has been my experience with the bulk of the ones I've known (at least of the ones who like to boast about it). Then again, not all Atheists are out to remove the 10 Commandments monuments and have "In God We Trust" taken off of the currency, either - so it's a two way street. (For the record, I'm not an Atheist)

I get ya.

I dunno, I must run in the right circles. I know Muslims, Christians, etc etc... and we all just get along. Never see much of the nasty stuff that makes any particular one of them look bad. I know there are some pretty disgusting ones out there, but I've never had a problem with any of them.

RidgeHunter · Mar 28, 2015

DrinkYourMilkshake said:
That's kind of unfair to paint them with a broad stroke like that.

Is broad strokin' a sin? Or only if you're watching porn?

Sincerely,

Donghanded in Tulsa

Eagle Eye · Mar 28, 2015

I find my morels in the woods around this time of year. :rotflmao:

Where do atheists get their morality?

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