Can Atheists be Moral?

[Mindful]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

 

[Mindful]

Socrates asks Euthyphro “Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good, or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?”


This is known as the Euthyphro dilemma.

If God is merely an agent advocating some universal morality, then morality exists independently of God and, given enough time, humans could discover it through reasoning. In this case, we would not need God—the only role for God would be to help speed up the process of discovery. God would be unnecessary.

 

[Crepitus]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

Of course they can.

The bigger question is "can religious folks, like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?"

 

[Mindful]

I like this idea:


Let’s say we have a few hundred gods to choose from and a few thousand religions.

 

[Moonglow]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

How can this God be moral when the past history of this God has God performing immoral acts and breaking his/her own rules, it's bullshit.

 

[Mindful]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

How can this God be moral when the past history of this God has God performing immoral acts and breaking his/her own rules, it's bullshit.

Send him to jail then. And visit him on Sundays.

 

[WillowTree]

Yes they can. Abortion loving democrats cannot! Pelosi should stfu!

 

[Moonglow]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

How can this God be moral when the past history of this God has God performing immoral acts and breaking his/her own rules, it's bullshit.

Send him to jail then. And visit him on Sundays.

I already did but no visitation that was over forty years ago..

 

[G.T.]

If God were the source of morality, then morality is not objective but instead mind dependent, i.e. based on God's subjectivity.

If the God cannot change his morals on a whim, God is not all powerful.

If the God of the bible is the source of morality, then it is moral to rape, pillage, genocide and also to murder babies.


Seems morality is a human construct based on the observable notion of cause and effect - and since we're a sentient, communal and empathetic creature, morals are based on the mitigation of suffering. This is proven over and over by the fact that over time, our morality has evolved and things that were considered moral hundreds of years into the past, or even just decades, are now considered barbaric.

Also, as secular society evolves in this way, theists have been conforming to the new secular standards, and have been forced to reinterpret much of the old-guard morality of their ancient scriptures.

 

[anynameyouwish]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

"1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not."


1. god doesn't exist. the source of morality for people why believe in god does NOT come from a non-existant god. It comes from a book written by uneducated, ignorant, primitive savages.

The fact that these people NEED a book (and a god) to tell them what is right or wrong, moral v immoral, is sad, pathetic and rather scary!

what if that book says "kill gays and atheists and witches!"?


And not just "I'm god....don't steal!"....

that wasn't enough to deter them or make them moral.

They needed FEAR!

So god had to say "I'm god....don't steal....or YOU WILL BURN IN HELL!"

Now THAT got their attention.

(2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

ridiculous.


I know right v wrong and I did NOT need a bible to tell me.

In fact, MOST of what the bible says is IMMORAL is BS.

 

[anynameyouwish]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

Of course they can.

The bigger question is "can religious folks, like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?"

No.

They are AMORAL.

They have no morals of their own. They merely embrace whatever morals their bible or religious leaders indoctrinate into them.

If they hate gays it is NOT "morals"

It is the brainwashing.

 

[Cellblock2429]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

Of course they can.

The bigger question is "can religious folks, like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?"

/----/ "like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?""
Pedophiles will play any role, take any job and pretend to be the opposite of what they really are so they can have access to their victims - children. Whitewashing Catholics as child-molesters as if it's part of our religion is as intellectually dishonest as labeling all Soccer coaches as child molesters because of a few bad actors.

 

[Meriweather]

That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

The Bible says differently. It says God's Law (or call it 'morality' if you will) is written on the hearts of all men--believers and non-believers alike. For those of us who feel there is truth and wisdom in the Bible we learn that mankind therefore has two attributes: We may all have a fallen nature, but we also retained our grasp on moral law.

As a whole--just like believers as a whole--atheists are moral people. There are exceptions/predators in both groups.

 

[cnm]

Morals are community norms. Valid morals are those which assist the survival of the community. This is demonstrated by the way successful communities have different norms.

 

[anynameyouwish]

That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

The Bible says differently. It says God's Law (or call it 'morality' if you will) is written on the hearts of all men--believers and non-believers alike. For those of us who feel there is truth and wisdom in the Bible we learn that mankind therefore has two attributes: We may all have a fallen nature, but we also retained our grasp on moral law.

As a whole--just like believers as a whole--atheists are moral people. There are exceptions/predators in both groups.

"The Bible says differently."

the bible....written by MEN!

when you quote the bible you are NOT quoting a god.

you are quoting primitive savages.

 

[Meriweather]

The bigger question is "can religious folks, like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?"

Isn't the bigger question, "Can anyone, like child molesters, be moral? Or, is the assertion, "Child molesters can be moral except child molesters who are Catholic"? Which then begs the question, Can Catholics be moral?

 

[Meriweather]

the bible....written by MEN!

Yes. Did this just become news to you? I was taught that as a child. And yet the Bible still contains truth and wisdom. Go figure.

 

[Mindful]

Jump to "Morality does not rely on religion" · The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics states that, "it is not hard to ... That means atheists are not only more than capable of leading moral ...

 

[Crepitus]

Many theists believe it is clear-cut. Humans can only have opinions about morality, and no one’s opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s. This leads them to the conclusion that an objective source of morality must stand apart from, and above, humans. That source, they say, is God. Since atheists, reject God, atheists can have no basis for morality.

This is really two separate arguments: (1) that God is the source of objective morality and humans can learn morality from God and (2) that humans on their own have no way to know what is moral and what is not.

Can atheists be moral? - Atheist Alliance International

Of course they can.

The bigger question is "can religious folks, like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?"

/----/ "like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?""
Pedophiles will play any role, take any job and pretend to be the opposite of what they really are so they can have access to their victims - children. Whitewashing Catholics as child-molesters as if it's part of our religion is as intellectually dishonest as labeling all Soccer coaches as child molesters because of a few bad actors.

Thousands upon thousands over decades with not only no repercussions but the next best thing to official sanction is not "a few bad actors" it's institutionalized pedophilia. Brought to you by your "moral superiors".

 

[Crepitus]

The bigger question is "can religious folks, like child-molesting Catholics, be moral?"

Isn't the bigger question, "Can anyone, like child molesters, be moral? Or, is the assertion, "Child molesters can be moral except child molesters who are Catholic"? Which then begs the question, Can Catholics be moral?

No, that's not the question.