How does an atheist determine what's right or wrong?

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by roger1003, Mar 22, 2016.

  1. artyarson

    artyarson Active Member

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    It's common sense, man. Not even conscience. The rule is simple "don't do anything to others that you don't wanna have to be done to you in the first place".
     
  2. TaurusHorns

    TaurusHorns Well-Known Member

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    It might also be important to add to your list that language is independent of consequence, and the goal of the bible is to not need the bible and instead become a specific type of person that acts towards specific results, which would transcend language, thus subsequently implying that morality is independent of language, and if the bible is dependent upon language, then morality is independent of the bible. Or something ;)
     
  3. ScooterBrandon

    ScooterBrandon Senior Investor

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    Natural law.
    It's pretty obvious what things are good and what things are bad.
    Things like murder, theft, rape are wrong. That's a universal truth everyone agree's on.
    All religion does is give people loopholes on violating natural law.
    Oh you killed a bunch of people? It's okay becuase they didn't worship the same God as you.
    Oh you stole a bunch of money from people who worked hard for it? Just repent and all will be fine (as long as the Church keeps getting its cut.)
    Oh you persecuted woman and subjected them to near slavery for a few thousand years? That's okay that's how everyone in the bible/koran/torah does things.
    Oh you abused innocent children, scarred them for life and ensured the cycle of abuse would continue? No worries you are a powerful religious leader we'll cover it up.
    Oh you were going to reclaim the holy lands, but it's too far away and too hot and difficult to do? Meh just take over Constantinople it's all good you got God on your side.
     
  4. erook7878

    erook7878 Well-Known Member

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    as an atheist and as someone that grew up in a non-religious home, these types of questions are pretty bizarre to me. The idea that you get your sense of right and wrong from a book is just very strange to me. Unless you are a complete sociopath, I'm fairly certain that everyone has an innate sense of what is right and what is wrong. Simply put, it is just natural instincts. The grief and sadness I feel when I see someone being hurt is not something I got from a book. I just know that hurting people is bad because I've felt that way before.
     
  5. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    Unfortunately I must disagree here, there are a lot of people (whether it's because of religious excuses or any other form of insanity) who believe that many of those things are alright.
     
  6. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    Except for psychos who can't tell the difference between right and wrong I believe that everyone will always pick up what's right and wrong as they interact with others. IMHO most religious people are hypocrites because though they are taught every week what they should be doing right, they don't.
     
  7. UnslaadKrosis

    UnslaadKrosis Active Member

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    Simple, I follow the rule of, "Do unto others what you want to be done to yourself" Almost all of my morality is derived from this simple, yet very powerful sentence. I don't steal, why? Because I don't want my things stolen from me. I help the old lady cross the busy road, why? Because when I become old like her, I'd want someone to do the same for my weak self! Simple!
     
  8. knitmehere

    knitmehere Well-Known Member

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    We base it on our own experiences and the things going on around us. That's not exactly an easy question to answer, though, because not all people who are religious completely agree with the morals of their church either.
     
  9. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    Personally I don't think that being religious and knowing whatsoever right from wrong are the same thing so an atheist is no different from a God fearing person.

    Knowing right from wrong is something that should be taught to you by your parents and being religious and going to church shouldn't have anything to do with your ethics or morals, but I'm sure a lot of religious people might disagree with that.
     
  10. djordjem87

    djordjem87 Well-Known Member

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    They actually use their brains and the power of free will. It also depends on how were you raised so basically you learn from your parents what are good and what bad things. I understand that bible teaches us what is right and wrong but do we really need to be told? I am a Orthodox Christian but I really do not need to read that killing is bad. I have that somewhere in my head and even that is only the fear of imprisoning and the fear of God. Animals have no moral clue on this. Even if we kill in self defence most of us would carry that to our graves. We would never be the same. So maybe we should follow the word of bible or maybe we should just do what we think is suitable. Imagine how depressed a crocodile would be if he would have a guilty conscience every time it killed some other creature?
     

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