Question: "Can an atheist be a good moral person?"

Answer: Can an atheist act in moral and ethical ways? Certainly, he can. All humans still retain the image of God upon them, even after the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. The image of God was effaced at the fall, but it was not erased, and so man still understands right and wrong no matter how many try to say otherwise. Even atheists react to this inherent knowledge of right and wrong, some even to the extent of living exemplary lives.

C.S. Lewis put it this way: if a man sees another in danger, the first instinct is to rush to help (altruism). But a second voice intervenes and says, “No, don’t endanger yourself,” which is in keeping with self-preservation. But then a third voice comes into play and says, “No, you ought to help.” Where does that third voice come from, asks Lewis? This is what is referred to as the “ought-ness” of life. Morality is what people do, but ethics describe what people ought to do. And yes, people know what they ought to do, but that doesn’t mean that they always act according to that knowledge.

The difference between the atheist and the Christian in this sense is that the atheist may act ethically for certain reasons (e.g., not wanting to go to jail, it disrupts social order, it makes them look good to others, etc.), but he has no ultimate reason for acting ethically because there is no ultimate moral authority that exists over each sphere of his life. Without this ultimate authority, each atheist defines morality on his own terms, although his morality is influenced by the remnants of morality from the image of God within, along with the strictures and constraints of the culture and society in which the atheist exists.

The Christian, on the other hand, acts morally out of the knowledge of the moral law given by God in His Word and a love for the Law-giver Himself. In addition, that knowledge is continually increased and personalized by the indwelling Spirit of God, whose task it is to bring the Christian “into all truth” (John 16:13). From within believers, He directs, guides, comforts, and influences us, as well as producing in us the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). To the atheist who is without the Spirit, God’s truth is “foolishness,” because it is “spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14), and the only fruit of righteousness is self-righteousness, not the righteousness of Christ.

When confronted with a situation that demands both the Christian and the atheist to make moral choices, a situation in which societal constraints are removed, the reaction of each will be vastly different. If a society deems it morally acceptable to kill unborn babies, for instance, the atheist sees no reason to oppose the practice. His own “moral law” even tells him it’s the compassionate thing to do in cases where the child is the result of rape or incest. The Christian, however, knows abortion is wrong because his moral choices are built upon the moral Law-giver who has declared all human life to be sacred because it is created in the image of God. The Law-giver has proclaimed, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) and, for the Christian, there’s the end of it.

So can an atheist act ethically? Certainly, but he has no ultimate reason to do so and no ultimate authority to look to in order to ensure his line is indeed straight and unbendable.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/atheist-morality.html#ixzz39iSH3Qo8

So can an atheist act ethically? Certainly, but he has no ultimate reason to do so and no ultimate authority to look to in order to ensure his line is indeed straight and unbendable.

This right here is the 'highest' form of morality.
Tell me, Ola, do you do good because you fear hell and hope for a reward, or because it is the right thing to do?

This is why I contend that atheists--("baby killers", "godless people", "infidels"-- are more moral than theists is because they do good out of fear and greed. Fear of eternal punishment, and greed for everlasting life. I'm sure if they were told there was no "hell" or "heaven" Christian, Muslims, --theists, -- will show their true colors. Even now they believe in the sky daddy (god), sky fairies (angels) and heaven and hell, they are still more immoral than we heathens.


Einstein said it best:
"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed. The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge. ..."
- Albert Einstein, quoted in: All the Questions You Ever Wanted to Ask American Atheists, by Madalyn Murray O'Hair


Survey reveals only 0.02% of prisoners identify as atheists not 2% not 0.2% but 0.02% guess who makes up the remaining 99.98%?
That is, 2 people in 10, 000. and we are the bad people?

This is a very Machiavellian proposal. The OP is arguing that Christian morality comes from a dictator who dishes out the most gruesome punishment imaginable to disobedient offenders.

His bible is filled with mass murders like Moses, Joshua, Ezekiel, etc. . .These are the people he reveres. mass murderers and people that engage in annihilation of others. . .Fools like Oladegbuu do good because they are afraid. . .

Do you OP agree that rape is morally wrong in all cases? If so how do you know? Afterall it is endorsed in some passages.

He won't understand what you are getting at here. He has lost the capability. He's literally given up the ability to make ethical and moral considerations for himself and it shows in his character.

Apatheist:


This right here is the 'highest' form of morality.
Tell me, Ola, do you do good because you fear hell and hope for a reward, or because it is the right thing to do?

This is why I contend that atheists--("baby killers", "godless people", "infidels"-- are more moral than theists is because they do good out of fear and greed. Fear of eternal punishment, and greed for everlasting life. I'm sure if they were told there was no "hell" or "heaven" Christian, Muslims, --theists, -- will show their true colors. Even now they believe in the sky daddy (god), sky fairies (angels) and heaven and hell, they are still more immoral than we heathens.


Einstein said it best:
"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed. The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge. ..."
- Albert Einstein, quoted in: All the Questions You Ever Wanted to Ask American Atheists, by Madalyn Murray O'Hair


Survey reveals only 0.02% of prisoners identify as atheists not 2% not 0.2% but 0.02% guess who makes up the remaining 99.98%?
That is, 2 people in 10, 000. and we are the bad people?

PastorAIO: He won't understand what you are getting at here. He has lost the capability. He's literally given up the ability to make ethical and moral considerations for himself and it shows in his character.

Pls save your preaching for your mugu congregation

Weah96: This is a very Machiavellian proposal. The OP is arguing that Christian morality comes from a dictator who dishes out the most gruesome punishment imaginable to disobedient offenders.

Offenders. Yes.

Offenders will be punished always. Being angry with this notion is hypocritical. As even the secular humanitarian society which you support punishes offenders.

Human law is also enforced. Obedience to societal law is two-fold. Out of love for society and out of fear of the fierce hand of the law.

Foolish men whining hypocritically and baselessly.

1ord: Pls save your preaching for your mugu congregation

Lol. Maybe you didn't even read his post. Just saw the moniker and lashed out foolishly. SMG. Coming from an educated 20 year old who thinks for himself. Shame.

Joshthefirst: Offenders. Yes.

Offenders will be punished always. Being angry with this notion is hypocritical. As even the secular humanitarian society which you support punishes offenders.

Human law is also enforced. Obedience to societal law is two-fold. Out of love for society and out of fear of the fierce hand of the law.

Foolish men whining hypocritically and baselessly.

Punishment is supposed to be humane and it is also supposed to fit the crime. . Why should a person burn in fire for 1000 years just for unbelief?. . .isn't that sadistic and barbaric?. . .

mazaje:

Punishment is supposed to be humane and it is also supposed to fit the crime. . Why should a person burn in fire for 1000 years just for unbelief?. . .isn't that sadistic and barbaric?. . .

nonsense.

You have a habit of clustering nonsense together and giving it to someone to interpret, and then misinterpreting and ignoring simple interpretations given.

How many times have I told you that no one goes to hell for unbelief? You go to hell for stealing and lying and greed etc. Not primarily for unbelief. Its like saying someone will be put in jail because he doesn't believe he exists.

And there's notime in eternity. You're here to show where your loyalty lies. If you prove rebellious here, you'll be ostracized with the rebellious ones.

Joshthefirst: nonsense.

You have a habit of clustering nonsense together and giving it to someone to interpret, and then misinterpreting and ignoring simple interpretations given.

How many times have I told you that no one goes to hell for unbelief? You go to hell for stealing and lying and greed etc. Not primarily for unbelief. Its like saying someone will be put in jail because he doesn't believe he exists.

And there's notime in eternity. You're here to show where your loyalty lies. If you prove rebellious here, you'll be ostracized with the rebellious ones.

That means good muslims, buddist, taoist, athiest, shinto, yidzis etc will all go to heaven. . . Since they don't steal, cheat, fornicate, murder, etc. . . .

mazaje:

That means good muslims, buddist, taoist, athiest, shinto, yidzis etc will all go to heaven. . . Since they don't steal, cheat, fornicate, murder, etc. . . .

Yea, apparently this guy doesn't read the bible. There is only one way to enter heaven, and it involves accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.

Joshthefirst: nonsense.

You have a habit of clustering nonsense together and giving it to someone to interpret, and then misinterpreting and ignoring simple interpretations given.

How many times have I told you that no one goes to hell for unbelief? You go to hell for stealing and lying and greed etc. Not primarily for unbelief. Its like saying someone will be put in jail because he doesn't believe he exists.

And there's notime in eternity. You're here to show where your loyalty lies. If you prove rebellious here, you'll be ostracized with the rebellious ones.

U guys never cease to amaze me.... Do u REALLY read ur bible at all?

What is God's moral grounding?

mazaje:

That means good muslims, buddist, taoist, athiest, shinto, yidzis etc will all go to heaven. . . Since they don't steal, cheat, fornicate, murder, etc. . . .

there's no such thing as good Muslims and such.

None is good

Everyone has sinned. Including you and I.

Joshthefirst: there's no such thing as good Muslims and such.

None is good

Everyone has sinned. Including you and I.

But somehow those who were born before Jesus have a different standard from those who have never heard the gospel, right?

musKeeto:
But somehow those who were born before Jesus have a different standard from those who have never heard the gospel, right?

yes. Those who have never heard the gospel.

finofaya:

What is God's moral grounding?

Check it out here ==> www.NeedGod .com

Joshthefirst: yes. Those who have never heard the gospel.

For those who have never heard of this gospel, their existence in the afterlife will be determined on what basis?

Joshthefirst: there's no such thing as good Muslims and such.

None is good

Everyone has sinned. Including you and I.

You are just all over the place, all have sinned how?. . .There are muslims, hindus, taoist, atheist, Shinto etc that don't kill, don't commit adultery, don't steal, try as much to love their neighbors as they love themselves, stay away from trouble etc. . .You said people will be punish for sins, now you say all have sinned. . .What the hell are you on about?. . .The bible clearly says that he that does not believe in the message of Jesus is condemned already. . .It also says Jesus is the only way to god. . .Those that do not believe in Jesus will perish according to the bible, not those that do good, because the bible says people's righteous acts are like filthy rags in the eyes of god. . .So it all boils down to one thing, which is believe in Jesus and be saved disbelieve and burn in hell for eternity. . .The question is why should people suffer in eternity just because they disbelieve in some stories that lack evidence?. . .As a christian remember that you will also burn in allah's hell for not believing in his own revelation and his last prophet Mohammed.

mazaje:
.You said people will be punish for sins, now you say all have sinned. . .What the hell are you on about?.

I guess he's saying that everyone is going to hell including himself.

Weah96:

I guess he's saying that everyone is going to hell including himself.

\a

He'll come and spin it by saying only those that believe in Jesus will be saved. .

Very rich coming from someone who considers Abraham his father. Someone who tried to kill his own son because of a voice in his head supposedly from his sky daddy. If the op consider such an act worthy of admiration and emulation,what could he possibly consider reprehensible?
Again,if all morality stems from god like ola would have us believe,where does god get his morality?

mazaje:

You are just all over the place, all have sinned how?. . .There are muslims, hindus, taoist, atheist, Shinto etc that don't kill, don't commit adultery, don't steal, try as much to love their neighbors as they love themselves, stay away from trouble etc. . .You said people will be punish for sins, now you say all have sinned. . .What the hell are you on about?. . .The bible clearly says that he that does not believe in the message of Jesus is condemned already. . .It also says Jesus is the only way to god. . .Those that do not believe in Jesus will perish according to the bible, not those that do good, because the bible says people's righteous acts are like filthy rags in the eyes of god. . .So it all boils down to one thing, which is believe in Jesus and be saved disbelieve and burn in hell for eternity. . .The question is why should people suffer in eternity just because they disbelieve in some stories that lack evidence?. . .As a christian remember that you will also burn in allah's hell for not believing in his own revelation and his last prophet Mohammed.

As I said, all I see here is you deliberately misinterpreting and ignoring my points and doggedly clinging to your own idiotic notions. Going around the same table barking like a rabid dog refusing to let anyone stop you.

I have told you a simple thing, explained a very simple child-like point of life and you go around ignoring it?

Please what is difficult to grasp in the fact that everyone, including you and I have done some form of wrong, and ought to be punished for it?

The only difference is that i have accepted someone elses's substitution and mercy and gained a new life, while you in your love for evil reject it and doggedly cling to meaningless foolishness.
I have said enough as a witness.

Goodbye.

Joshthefirst: As I said, all I see here is you deliberately misinterpreting and ignoring my points and doggedly clinging to your own idiotic notions. Going around the same table barking like a rabid dog refusing to let anyone stop you.

I have told you a simple thing, explained a very simple child-like point of life and you go around ignoring it?

Please what is difficult to grasp in the fact that everyone, including you and I have done some form of wrong, and ought to be punished for it?

The only difference is that i have accepted someone elses's substitution and mercy and gained a new life, while you in your love for evil reject it and doggedly cling to meaningless foolishness.
I have said enough as a witness.

Goodbye.

You have truly renounced the use of reasoning.

Joshthefirst: As I said, all I see here is you deliberately misinterpreting and ignoring my points and doggedly clinging to your own idiotic notions. Going around the same table barking like a rabid dog refusing to let anyone stop you.

I have told you a simple thing, explained a very simple child-like point of life and you go around ignoring it?

Please what is difficult to grasp in the fact that everyone, including you and I have done some form of wrong, and ought to be punished for it?

The only difference is that i have accepted someone elses's substitution and mercy and gained a new life, while you in your love for evil reject it and doggedly cling to meaningless foolishness.
I have said enough as a witness.

Goodbye.

You have not said anything meaningful. . .The bible very clearly says that belief in Jesus is the only hing that saves people, as long as you do not believe you are condemned already. .So why are you talking trash about good deeds and other nonsense?. . .From the bible:

[i]
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son [/i]John 3:18

Why should people be condemned and thrown into fire just for not believing in a story that is unbelievable?. . .I notice it doesn't make sense to you that is why you are trying to run away from it by doing some gymnastics that makes no sense at all . . .

By the way,hope you know that you will also burn in allah's hell for not accepting Mohammed his last messenger and the Koran which he revealed to mankind?. . .You keep talking all over the place. . .

TheBigUrban2:





You have truly renounced the use of reasoning.

I couldn't have said it better. . .This guy has lost it completely. . .

mazaje:

You have not said anything meaningful. . .The bible very clearly says that belief in Jesus is the only hing that saves people, as long as you do not believe you are condemned already. .So why are you talking trash about good deeds and other nonsense?. . .From the bible:

[i]
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son [/i]John 3:18

Why should people be condemned and thrown into fire just for not believing in a story that is unbelievable?. . .I notice it doesn't make sense to you that is why you are trying to run away from it by doing some gymnastics that makes no sense at all . . .

By the way,hope you know that you will also burn in allah's hell for not accepting Mohammed his last messenger and the Koran which he revealed to mankind?. . .You keep talking all over the place. . .

I remember I and another guy explaining very clearly to you that Man is already condemned because he has done wrong. Refusal of the only solution leaves you in hopelessness.

You're a deliberately thick headed man and yours is to deliberately throw away meaning so that your foolish and meaningless notions of life will hold water.

The wages of sin is death.

Joshthefirst: I remember I and another guy explaining very clearly to you that Man is already condemned because he has done wrong. Refusal of the only solution leaves you in hopelessness.
You're a deliberately thick headed man and yours is to deliberately throw away meaning so that your foolish and meaningless notions of life will hold water.
The wages of sin is death.

The wages of sin is death sis not the same as he who does not believe is condemned already. . .The bible is very clear on what it says in John 3:18. . . who ever believes in Jesus is not condemned is what it says, it then goes on to say that who ever does not believe in Jesus is condemned already because they refuse to believe in god's only son. .It clearly states the reason .That is pretty clear, i really do not know what you are on about. . .

Apatheist:


This right here is the 'highest' form of morality.
Tell me, Ola, do you do good because you fear hell and hope for a reward, or because it is the right thing to do?

This is why I contend that atheists--("baby killers", "godless people", "infidels"-- are more moral than theists is because they do good out of fear and greed. Fear of eternal punishment, and greed for everlasting life. I'm sure if they were told there was no "hell" or "heaven" Christian, Muslims, --theists, -- will show their true colors. Even now they believe in the sky daddy (god), sky fairies (angels) and heaven and hell, they are still more immoral than we heathens.


Einstein said it best:
"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed. The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge. ..."
- Albert Einstein, quoted in: All the Questions You Ever Wanted to Ask American Atheists, by Madalyn Murray O'Hair


Survey reveals only 0.02% of prisoners identify as atheists not 2% not 0.2% but 0.02% guess who makes up the remaining 99.98%?
That is, 2 people in 10, 000. and we are the bad people?

Either you like it or not both atheists and theist have the image of God that makes them do good, one fears the arm of the law while the other obeys God who has absolute morality.

Weah96:

This is a very Machiavellian proposal. The OP is arguing that Christian morality comes from a dictator who dishes out the most gruesome punishment imaginable to disobedient offenders.

But you fear going to jail, don't you?