Can Godless Atheists Have Moral Values?
Friday February 8, 2008
A popular claim among religious theists is that atheists have no basis for morality - that religion and gods are needed for moral values. Usually they mean their religion and god, but sometimes they seem willing to accept any religion and any god. The truth is that neither religions nor gods are necessary for morality, ethics, or values. They can exist in a godless, secular context just fine, as demonstrated by all the godless atheists who lead moral lives every day.
Read Article: Godless Moral Values: Can Godless Atheists Have Moral Values?
Comments
The morality itself is more important than its basis. Having a basis for morality is no guarantee that the morality itself is in fact, moral.
In the current USA, “having moral values” means NOT HAVING SEX. It does not mean being generous, loving one’s neighbor, or treating others with kindness and respect. It means NOT HAVING SEX. Americans are so hung up on SEX that their silly religions have devolved to this one thing, NOT HAVING SEX…at least NOT HAVING SEX outside the narrow boundaries established by narrow, ancient religious dogma. What it comes down to is a generous, helpful, nonjudgmental, tolerant, kind person who likes SEX and enjoys SEX outside of the established boundaries is an unacceptable sinner, where a nasty, arrogant, murderous, intolerant, avaricious person who refuses to have (or cannot get) SEX is considered to be morally superior. It is no wonder the USA is governed by wealthy hypocrites. The anti-sex religious suckers vote ‘em in to control the SEX, not the STEALING or the KILLING or the KILLING. What a country!
DaveTheWave - your comment is made of extreme win. Thanks!
Welcome!
Thanks for letting me rant.
TYPO: I meant one of those KILLINGs to be LYING, but I like the effect of two KILLINGs anyway.
Cheers, all!
Stop it, Dave, you’re turning me on
I’m always offended when the religious accuse atheists of immorality. Religious doctrine and dogma do not inherently provide morality, morality is based upon personal grounds not religious. Though religions often preach moral-codes under various pretexts, these can be lacking and skewed. Morality and values should be personal not universal and not dogmatic.
Another problem with morals coming from religion is that only certain values will be picked out that fit with that particular denomination’s dogma. They might follow a “thou shall not kill” value but it will only apply to those of that denomination, but it will be conveniently overlooked when someone from another denomination or another religion is killed.
Actually, religion is no basis for morality at all. Imagine this, what if your god comes on breakfast TV news tomorrow morning and states that he has now decided eating babies is now good.
What do you do?
…what if your god comes on breakfast TV news tomorrow morning and states that he has now decided eating babies is now good.
What do you do?
Dig out the meat tenderizer, line up your favorite spices; and…
‘Fire up’ the griddle?
(Dig out the meat tenderizer, line up your favorite spices; and…
‘Fire up’ the griddle?
Seriously, Any parent who has raised a child understands why it is that some animals have been known to eat their young!!!!