Do atheists have morals

Answer 1

AnswerOf course. Everyone has morals however not everyone has the same morals or is motivated in the same way to apply those morals. A person that has no formal religious background is not necessarily without morals as a matter of fact there are many people who shun religion because of their own moral standards that may be on a higher level. AnswerMorals are ultimately drawn from human society. Religions reflect the morals of the society which created it. However, since religions are slower to change than human society, religion tends to prevent its strict adherants from having the same morals as the rest of society.

For example: modern western society does not condemn or persecute homosexuals. But some Christians do. Most Christians do not believe this any more, but some on the right still do.

The same goes for women: modern western society accords women equal status and rights with men. Most Christians agree. The Mormons, however, do not. Neither do many evangelists.

Answer

It should be noted that there are very good darwinistic reasons for morality. As mammals, we humans are very communal animals. We depend upon each other greatly, not just within a familial sense, but in a greater tribal sense as well. Examinations of the social interactions of other primates show us that it is not uncommon in nature for like animals to have an ingrained code of ethics when dealing with each other.

These codes of ethics are very rudimentary, and may not seem very moralistic to us humans, but it is easy to see how such behavioral norms are benificial to the speicies in an evolutionary way, and perhaps even a necessary part of any reasonably advanced social creature. After all, neanderthal man depended on his tribemates for survival. The neanderthal man who cheats, steals, and murders isn't as likely to pass on his genes as the neanderthal man who helps and loves his neighbors.

Thus we see how natural selection leads to morality.

AnswerYes they can. I am not an atheists myself but I do believe that they can be. A person who is atheist usually uses a myth approach which they teach in mythology in college. Being moral means to be good in nature and just because your religions views, or lack there of, is different doesn't mean that you can't be moral. Answer

It all depends on the person. There are wonderful people of every background and belief and some terrible people from every one, too.

Answer 2

Many people would be surprised to realise that morality is not determined by religious beliefs, nor by whether or not one is an atheist. Of course, there have been many religious people with high moral values, but consider the following: * Once, even religious people believed that owning slaves was moral, but now agree that slavery is not moral. * Once, religious people believed that those whose religious beliefs differed from their own could be killed at will, or forcibly converted. Now, good people of all faiths accept the right of everyone to hold their different religious views. So, atheists define morality by what they believe is right. It is true that ideas of morality have evolved over the centuries, but as seen above, that evolution has occurred in the most Christian centuries. Morality is conduct in conformance with moral and ethical principles. True morality is not merely conformance with the laws of the land or of religion, but with principles that contribute to a fair and harmonious society. One example of morality is observing correct sexual conduct. This is difficult to define, but there are minimum standards that almost everyone agrees on. Another example of morality could be a 'needlessly' honest act - for example, correcting a financial error in your favour, when you know that it would never otherwise be discovered. Answer: There is some question of whether atheists exhibit "morality" or "altruism".

Scientists have observed that "altruism" is a survival trait in animals that live in communal settings (herd animals, colony animals, tribal animals) that lets the species flourish at a cost to the individual. It is the action of "taking one for the team" that sees people reducing the selfish desire to get the best for themselves and letting everyone else suffer.

Calling it "Morality" tends to dress this innate impulse up, claiming it comes from some higher power. Atheists therefore act on the basic programming for survival when they are altruistic and exhibit "morality". This is somewhat the opposite of the view of the basic nature of mankind held by many "theists" who see basic human traits leading only to a "me first" outlook.

Consider the quote: A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.

~ Albert Einstein Atheists feel that they have the mental ability and common sense to escape being in Einstein's "poor way" and that they can do without the CCTV of a god(s) peering over their shoulder. === ===

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Answer 3

AnswerYes. Almost all religions seek to provide moral guidance to followers. So, Hindus have morals, as do Muslims, Buddhists and so on. Atheists and agnostics also have morals they live by, as evidenced by their relatively low representation among prison inmates.

Morals are really about following your conscience, not about what religion you choose to follow.

Answer 4

Of course they do: Common sense and conscience. If you are a normal human being you don't need to be told not to hurt people or not to kill. The Bible wasn't the first book to outline the sentiments in the ten commandments. People followed those rules long before.

Atheists see more then one side of issues and "morals" are in some cases disputable, especially those espoused by fundamental religious groups who are extremely unaccepting of anyone with different views.

Scientists have observed that "altruism" is a survival trait in animals that live in communal settings (herd animals, colony animals, tribal animals) that lets the species flourish at a cost to the individual. It is the action of "taking one for the team" that sees people reducing the selfish desire to get the best for themselves and letting everyone else suffer.

Calling it "Morality" tends to dress this innate impulse up, claiming it comes from some higher power. Atheists therefore act on the basic programming for survival when they are altruistic and exhibit "morality". This is somewhat the opposite of the view of the basic nature of mankind held by many "theists" who see basic human traits leading only to a "me first" outlook.

Consider the quote by Albert Einstein:

• A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.

Atheists know that they have the mental ability and common sense to escape being in Einstein's "poor way" and that they can do without the threat of a god(s) peering over their shoulder.

Answer 5

Yes, atheists are at least as likely to be moral people as are theists. Possibly more likely. What kind of person would set off a bomb in a crowded public place? Generally they are heard to shout Allah hu akhbar! (God is great) just before the bomb goes off.

The question is often asked, if morality does not come from God, where then can it come from? However, morality is very practical. Every one of us, whatever our religious beliefs or religious skepticism may be, has the chance to make the world better or to make the world worse. It is in everyone's interests to have a better world to live in. Morality is a sound strategy. It does not require supernatural justification.

Answer 6

A:Morality is unrelated to religious beliefs or non-beliefs. Therefore an atheists should be moral for the same reasons as a Buddhist, Christian, Muslim or Jew should be moral. Because we are good and altruistic people who care about others.