6 replies to this topic

[Ungodly]

Since atheists are not blinded by religious dogma, is it reasonable and fair to expect that atheists should behave in a more ethical and moral fashion?

One might argue that the theistically impaired are being misled and may, perhaps, have a somewhat reduced ability to recognize immoral behavior, confusing it with justice because of their false belief in a sky monster.

So, if atheists are able to benefit from a rational perspective on issues, is it fair to set the bar higher for ethics when dealing with a known, practicing rational person?

I submit that ethical behavior is in the best interests of all persons, theist, atheist or anything in between. Therefore I would expect a person behaving rationally to usually make an ethical choice.

Of course in the final analysis each of us is responsible for everything we do and nothing that anyone else does.

What are your thoughts on this question?

[Great Ape]

Atheists can be either good or bad morally. The same holds true for believers. Neither atheism nor religion is a prerequisite to human behavior.

Although I do agree that the religious are capable of committing immoral acts with clear consciences. All because their holy book or religious leaders misled them to. I would say this is the biggest difference between atheists and believers morally. That a believer can use the word of God to commit immoral acts, believing they are acting in a moral fashion. While the atheist has no such recourse.

For the most part rational people do make good ethical choices. However, being rational does not exclude bad moral behavior. There are many rational people sitting in prisons that committed immoral acts.

Edited by Great Ape, 21 February 2012 - 11:46 AM.

[Phil]

Anyone can be good or bad, moral or unethical. But the thing that separates believers from non believers is a set of codes laid down by desert dwellers 2000 years ago. If you living the Bible then your living by a set of moral codes that were good for the time period. Quite frankly I believe the Bible or religion as a whole is one of the most immoral codes there is. If people cannot think for themselves and need a book of instructions to live life then they need to be in a loony bin somewhere being led around on a leash.

[alteredmind]

I would say it would be a good Idea for atheists to behave in a ethical and moral fashion or anyone for that matter because it will teach them virtue. If every atheist behaved in that manner and put ethics in to practice to there highest potential that would probably take the world into a new age. When I say virtue, I am talking about Aristotle's ethics, besides he was the founder of ethics if I am not mistaken.

[Cousin Ricky]

I think a better question is, "Should theists be held to moral standards as high as what rational atheists typically hold themselves to?"

[Ungodly]

Cousin Ricky, on 26 March 2012 - 09:18 PM, said:

I think a better question is, "Should theists be held to moral standards as high as what rational atheists typically hold themselves to?"

Wow, that is a much better question. Maybe a compromise can be reached between theists and rational people, and the theists could either be as moral as atheists or shut the fuck up about how holy they are.

[Great Ape]

That is a good question and one worth asking. Especially when theists can be counted on to abandon morality, when their God or religious leaders, say it is OK to do so.