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How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God - Religion - Nairaland

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How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Kay17: 4:00pm On Jul 30, 2015
Since God does not exist, at least in our minds, I believe we atheists have a wild freedom. I am careful not to use to free will because that has it own crazy baggage.

In absence of an all seeing authority, we find ourselves being our own guides and authorities. The weakness of our will represents laxer restraints. What guidelines are necessary to create our own unique morality? What does our morality aim for, since morality is a means to a goal? Greater civilization? Excellent individuals? etc
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Idrismusty97(m): 4:14pm On Jul 30, 2015
Common sense will tell you not to steal or murder. And if you go out of the norms to commit these acts the long arms of the law will always catch up with you. Besides you wouldn't want to raise up your kids as a thief or murderer would you? We don't need a god or religion for morality, the world is changing. We are entering into a new era...Most irreligious countries are usually the most peaceful. E.g Denmark, Japan, Iceland etc

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Kay17: 4:34pm On Jul 30, 2015
Idrismusty97:
Common sense will tell you not to steal or murder. And if you go out of the norms to commit these acts the long arms of the law will always catch up with you. Besides you wouldn't want to raise up your kids as a thief or murderer would you? We don't need a god or religion for morality, the world is changing. We are entering into a new era...Most irreligious countries are usually the most peaceful. E.g Denmark, Japan, Iceland etc

Are you aware of Communism in East Europe?

If you are, you would know those Communists have in the past stolen and murdered, however under a different legal/moral order. They uprooted the bourgeois system which preserved the wealth of the bourgeois and replaced it with theirs. It then appears that social justice must involve some stealing and murdering with consequences tolerable to the masses. So stealing and murdering are not bad in themselves but in the consequences they are tied to.

Things are not really black and white.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by tartar9(m): 5:02pm On Jul 30, 2015
Idrismusty97:
Common sense will tell you not to steal or murder. And if you go out of the norms to commit these acts the long arms of the law will always catch up with you. Besides you wouldn't want to raise up your kids as a thief or murderer would you? We don't need a god or religion for morality, the world is changing. We are entering into a new era...Most irreligious countries are usually the most peaceful. E.g Denmark, Japan, Iceland etc
what if you want to steal or murder
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Scholar8200(m): 5:16pm On Jul 30, 2015
Idrismusty97:
Common sense will tell you not to steal or murder. And if you go out of the norms to commit these acts the long arms of the law will always catch up with you. Besides you wouldn't want to raise up your kids as a thief or murderer would you? We don't need a god or religion for morality, the world is changing. We are entering into a new era...Most irreligious countries are usually the most peaceful. E.g Denmark, Japan, Iceland etc
This common sense simply means every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no one dares enforces his 'right' on others! If it be so, then the only hope of man is the arm of the law (the length or shortness of it is also depending on the common sense of those in power!They also can restrain and release the arm subject to their common sense. The executive arm eg Police also comprise men whose common sense may also influence their actions. undecided .). I say this because common sense is too subjective! In fact, take away the arm of the law and there will be anarchy.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by basille(m): 6:08pm On Jul 30, 2015
Kay17:
Since God does not exist, at least in our minds, I believe we atheists have a wild freedom. I am careful not to use to free will because that has it own crazy baggage.

In absence of an all seeing authority, we find ourselves being our own guides and authorities. The weakness of our will represents laxer restraints. What guidelines are necessary to create our own unique morality? What does our morality aim for, since morality is a means to a goal? Greater civilization? Excellent individuals? etc
I believe the answer to the bold is Karma and Empathy.
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by basille(m): 6:17pm On Jul 30, 2015
Idrismusty97:
Common sense will tell you not to steal or murder.
Common sense will not tell you not to steal or murder.

A child who is trained and brought up by a barbarian in an uncivilized era, would behave like a barbarian a do such actions with little or no hesitation, is it then correct to say that such a person doesn't have common sense?

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Nobody: 6:34pm On Jul 30, 2015
I live my life to the fullest anyhow i want. If killing one makes me happy, so be it, but deep inside me, i knw that my mind wont be at rest if i kill and in the society am brought up, killing is seen as barbaric and wrong.


In a nutshell, as an atheist, my conscience is my guide, so does others.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by basille(m): 6:45pm On Jul 30, 2015
Kay17:


Are you aware of Communism in East Europe?

If you are, you would know those Communists have in the past stolen and murdered, however under a different legal/moral order. They uprooted the bourgeois system which preserved the wealth of the bourgeois and replaced it with theirs. It then appears that social justice must involve some stealing and murdering with consequences tolerable to the masses. So stealing and murdering are not bad in themselves but in the consequences they are tied to.

Things are not really black and white.
Nice point here. However there is no such thing as good and bad or right and wrong, this are just human concepts. There is only actions and it's equal and opposite reactions. In this case their actions payed off and the equal reactions were social justice and equality but this doesn't mean that negative (or rather opposite) reaction didn't (or wouldn't) befall those who started the action, this is where karma which i stated earlier comes in.
I know most atheist may not believe in karma, so i'm stopping here.

But it's safe to say that it is evident in everything we do. Even newtons law supports it.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by nynbrada: 6:53pm On Jul 30, 2015
Kay17:
Since God does not exist, at least in our minds.
oooo! Thank God , atleast you said in your mind. And my respect for you has increased a notch higher.

Hope you get enough constructive comments on your thread.
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Kay17: 6:57pm On Jul 30, 2015
basille:
I believe the answer to the bold is Karma and Empathy.

Karma is largely a Buddhist concept. Buddhism is an atheistic religion, however Karma hardly is relevant since it works within the cycle of life and death. It integrates an idea of afterlife which most secularists have rejected as part and parcel of a spiritual religion.
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by basille(m): 7:10pm On Jul 30, 2015
Kay17:


Karma is largely a Buddhist concept. Buddhism is an atheistic religion, however Karma hardly is relevant since it works within the cycle of life and death. It integrates an idea of afterlife which most secularists have rejected as part and parcel of a spiritual religion.
I know most atheist may not believe in karma, so i'm stopping here.

Forget karma, let's stick to our individual beliefs. How about empathy?

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Kay17: 7:28pm On Jul 30, 2015
basille:


Forget karma, let's stick to our individual beliefs. How about empathy?

Where does empathy lead us to? Heaven or earth?
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by basille(m): 7:37pm On Jul 30, 2015
Kay17:


Where does empathy lead us to? Heaven or earth?
Heaven on Earth. A better world.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Kay17: 8:07pm On Jul 30, 2015
basille:
Heaven on Earth. A better world.

But that is pinned on the hope others reciprocate. Nonetheless it is a starting point.
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by johnydon22(m): 8:45pm On Jul 30, 2015
[b]Morality as we know it is a human concept and varies from society to society. Some rooted in the culture as we see in most religious books while others more so are rooted in empathy and intellect like we see in secular society..

Empathy is judging your actions with the feelings of others (Seeing with the eyes of others, feeling with the heart of others)

You do not need any creed or doctrine to tell you that killing your mother is wrong because if you do then it shows lack of independent ethics and moral basis even a lioness do not need you to tell it that murdering her cub is wrong.

you also do not need anybody to tell you that stoning a non-virgin bride to death (as seen in the old testament) is wrong.
Or
Killing apostates as seen in the quran is bad. . .

This shows we have an innate ability to recognize what we see to be good or not and what we think is ok for the society, you don't need anybody or book or doctrine to teach you that.

Secular definition of morality are Actions that decreases individual human suffering and/or betters societal well being, freedom, equality and justice.

Am an agnostic atheist and i recognize actions that fall within these stipulated factors, i let my empathy and compassion towards others guide my actions and this also we do without expectations of any reward after we are dead.

Morality is not distinctively Muslim, Christian or Hindu or any religion, it is a human concept and it belongs to no ism. it is not dependent on any creed, doctrine, book or supernatural for foundations because morality itself is a foundation.

What religious doctrine tag Sin has absolutely no weight on the moral weight of an action it only are actions that goes against the religious stipulated will of god whether good or bad.

Mentally, physically and emotionally we are the same. We all have the potential to great good or evil and to be overcome by disturbing emotions such as hatred, anger, suspicion, fear and greed. On the other hand if you cultivate loving kindness, compassion and concern for others there will be no room for anger, jealousy and hatred..

You do not need the concept of God or religion to have morals, if you cannot determine right from wrong then you lack empathy not religion.

And the only thing we consider good or bad are your actions towards others and the world around you.

Atheist are independent in their moral basis and also loyal to the stipulated laws of the state. . Of course i can only be sure of myself [/b]

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Kay17: 10:15pm On Jul 30, 2015
But if a moral system which abhors suffering, is created; we will be prohibiting progress itself. Because most endeavors of progress require some measure of suffering. Probably the suffering you are speaking about is meaningless suffering which no one can really comprehend.
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by chinnyonwu(m): 8:07am On Jul 31, 2015
I might be wrong, but this is why i support religion. A lot of people are not murderers et al today cos of fear of being burnt forever. So i guess religion serves a good purpose.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Eddlad: 8:59am On Jul 31, 2015
chinnyonwu:
I might be wrong, but this is why i support religion. A lot of people are not murderers et al today cos of fear of being burnt forever. So i guess religion serves a good purpose.

Unfortunately you are wrong.The bible preaches God's kingdom essentially love, peace etc, when anyone refrains from sin because of fear of he'll, they are not Christians.Such fear is temporary and those who outgrow it often turn out worse.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by plaetton: 6:16pm On Jul 31, 2015
Whether atheists, theists, religious or irreligious, people are usually tethered to, and hardly ever rise above the moral thresholds of their environment.

Therefore, for example, a Country known for corruption will most likely have corrupt atheists, theists, religious or irreligious,corrupt pastors and priests.

Religious beliefs are often a veil, not the definer of a person's moral thresholds.

I remind everyone that spanish christian explorers mercilesslly genocided native South Americans for the purpose of gifting them with the love of Jesus.

And that christian slave merchants read bible surmons and sang hymnals while slaves were languising and dying in the lower decks of their slaveship "The good ship Jesus".

So, morality is environmental, not religious.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Joshthefirst(m): 7:05pm On Aug 01, 2015
plaetton:
Whether atheists, theists, religious or irreligious, people are usually tethered to, and hardly ever rise above the moral thresholds of their environment.

Therefore, for example, a Country known for corruption will most likely have corrupt atheists, theists, religious or irreligious,corrupt pastors and priests.

Religious beliefs are often a veil, not the definer of a person's moral thresholds.

I remind everyone that spanish christian explorers mercilesslly genocided native South Americans for the purpose of gifting them with the love of Jesus.

And that christian slave merchants read bible surmons and sang hymnals while slaves were languising and dying in the lower decks of their slaveship "The good ship Jesus".

So, morality is environmental, not religious.
Morality is neither environmental nor religious. It may be affected by either, but it is fundamentally innate.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 7:09pm On Aug 01, 2015
Joshthefirst:
Morality is neither environmental nor religious. It may be affected by either, but it is fundamentally innate.


You finally make some sense.
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Nobody: 7:16pm On Aug 01, 2015
The fool says in His heart that there is no God.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by plaetton: 7:43pm On Aug 01, 2015
Joshthefirst:
Morality is neither environmental nor religious. It may be affected by either, but it is fundamentally innate.

FundamentLly innate? shocked

You've got to be kidding, right?
That makes no sense, and cannot ever be true.

Your innate darwinian impulses cannot allow you to be innately moral.

Morality evolves along with the social evolution or social order of the community or society.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by onetrack(m): 7:49pm On Aug 01, 2015
Morally, there is no difference between atheists and theists. Both a Christian and an atheist can steal a bike. The atheist doesn't worry about punishment in the afterlife, and neither does the Christian; they just pray for forgiveness.

"I prayed to God for a bike, but I didn't get one; so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness" grin

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Nobody: 8:25pm On Aug 01, 2015
Guys keep it coming. And please no attempt should be made at bringing ' the stupidity of Religion into this'. Think..Think..Think..

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Pr0ton: 8:28pm On Aug 01, 2015
How Do Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God?

I believe a person asking this question has in mind, either personally or through environmental influence, that the acknowledgement of the existence of God (or a supreme monitor) is essential for one's morality. In other words, for one to be morally upright he has to have this fear of punishment for the immoral behaviour he does. But, critically thinking, this notion is wrong.

I believe morality is inherent (or became inherent along side human evolution and civilization). To do good or evil can be achieved with and without the acknowledgement of the existence of God. But how do you know what is good and what is bad? By comparing such feeling you get from such action in relation to your fellow humans, or vice-versa. It's a choice to either pass on or refrain from passing such action to others. The introduction of whatever kind of punishment for making a bad choice doesn't essentially and sufficiently stop a person from making a bad choice. Here is why:

From all of the laws of the Bible, Koran, Government, Organization, Community, Groups etc, one thing is common to all - there are always lawbreakers. So the imposition of law (which in some cases leads to the acknowledgement of the existence of God) does not stop people, at least essentially and sufficiently, from being good or bad.

I believe the acknowledgement of morality is in us (everyone). I believe morality is in us. But exercising it is not the consequence of the acknowledgement of any law or the existence of God; it is pivotly a choice.

So how do I handle morality in the absence of God? By exercising the intrinsic morality in me whenever I intrinsically deem right and necessary. No one is better.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by okeke00(m): 8:50pm On Aug 01, 2015
[b] The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17 NKJV)
1 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.
3 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.[/b]
5 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
6 “You shall not murder.
7 “You shall not commit adultery.
8 “You shall not steal.
9 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”
how does the first four commandment sound to you and give me any moral in it?

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by Nobody: 11:56pm On Aug 01, 2015
You are free but your freedom MUST not affect another man's freedom.

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Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by dukeposer1(m): 1:28am On Aug 02, 2015
Hi all.

"Adolph Hitler killed six million of God’s chosen people. As long as he believed in his heart that it was the right thing to do, then it was perfectly right. We need to be tolerant of other people’s views because if it is right for them, then it is right. If it is true for them, then it is true".
What can we say to that?
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by dukeposer1(m): 1:34am On Aug 02, 2015
What is Truth? Is it whatever we say/feel it is? Is truth Relative? Or there is an Absolute Truth?
Re: How Atheists Handle Morality In The Absence Of God by elobyobi: 1:55am On Aug 02, 2015
I'm just here to get likes for Jesus. grin
But seriously I believe the Holy Spirit is the Master of common sense. That being said, atheists will always fall short of the passmark on the morality meter.
Likes fo r Jesus, people!

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