Morality Without God
Byrnzie
Posts: 21,037
First in a Series:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 7xt5LtgsxQ
Morality 1: Good without gods
This video refutes the claim that some people make that atheists cannot possibly be moral since god and morality are intertwined in their minds
Some people claim that morality is dependent upon religion, that atheists cannot possibly be moral since god and morality are intertwined (well, in their minds). Unfortunately, this is one way that religious people dehumanise atheists who have a logical way of thinking about what constitutes moral social behaviour. More than simply being a (incorrect) definition in the Oxford dictionary, morality is actually the main subject of many philosophers' intellectual lives. This video, the first of a multi-part series, begins this discussion by defining morality and then moving on to look at six hypothetical cultures and their beliefs.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 7xt5LtgsxQ
Morality 1: Good without gods
This video refutes the claim that some people make that atheists cannot possibly be moral since god and morality are intertwined in their minds
Some people claim that morality is dependent upon religion, that atheists cannot possibly be moral since god and morality are intertwined (well, in their minds). Unfortunately, this is one way that religious people dehumanise atheists who have a logical way of thinking about what constitutes moral social behaviour. More than simply being a (incorrect) definition in the Oxford dictionary, morality is actually the main subject of many philosophers' intellectual lives. This video, the first of a multi-part series, begins this discussion by defining morality and then moving on to look at six hypothetical cultures and their beliefs.
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People always used to point to Mother Theresa as the most "moral" person in the world. I have a friend from Bombay who would disagree since she would intentionally deny access to birth control for women asking for it... But I digress.
I always point them to her diaries that were released after her death that showed that Mother Theresa didn't believe if God. It hurt her to admit she had never actually "felt" any connection to her religion.
She did what she did not because she was afraid of God but because she thought it was the right thing to do.
Cool, eh?
:thumbup: (Though I don't know why this little yellow emoticon man is grinning like a freak on acid. It's possible to give a thumbs-up while keeping a straight face. I'd like to meet this little yellow emoticon man and slap him top-side-of-the-head).
Morals are just basic human guidelines that the mentally stable folk already follow.
Oh.
Well then.
kinda counts me out, doesn't it?
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
this site is full of people that think they have it all figured out,it's all good.
your response is on the money !
Godfather.
this my religion
I don't think about who believes or who doesn't...
thats a non issue.
Treat everyone with the love and the respect they deserve as human beings.
Not everyone deserves love and respect.
I.e, there are people in this world who have engineered wars that have seen the deaths of millions. These people don't deserve any more love or respect than a concentration camp guard deserves, in my opinion.
A now famous young woman who's name I will not say,
most think she does not deserve love and respect....
I am angered too and fighting off hatred.
We were all children once, learning what we learned, helpless,
we were molded in the wrong ways.
But we can change.... she can change.
I feel everyone deserves understanding and love.
That might just make a difference in who they are
and perhaps over time they can earn respect.
The ethic of reciprocity (golden/silver rule to some) is an ancient philosophical concept dealing with basic humanity and social interaction. As such, this 'rule' would naturally be integrated in many organised religions - some may see then see this as a 'god' thing though there is absolutely no reason for it to be exclusive to 'god'.
I don't. Evil is just a religious word that's used to describe a kind of base, depraved behaviour and/or complete lack of empathy for others. That's all.
A power, I've felt it, like love and it guides just as love does.
No religion to it
but those who don't believe in God make it all about religion
because that is easier to shun, ridicule, dissect, understand ... instead of just feel.
When there are no religions there will still be the power that is God.
It depends what you mean by 'God'. You say God is a power. Is that as far as it goes? Care to elaborate?
Nice.
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I don't think it's a particularly religious word, though religious writings sure like to use it. For religious purposes it's used for all that opposes 'god' and his ways (except Buddhism). From a 'normal' point of view, evil can represent so many different things - is it a person (someone fundamentally evil - what is that?)? Is it a particular act that is evil (though what may seem evil to one, is not to the other)? Is is just another word for bad? Antonym for good? Whilst some acts may be universally considered evil, would 'common' evil not be defined by one's cultural environment (in the same manner as good or 'moral')? Some cultures don't even have 'evil' in their language - something more like 'out of sync'!
We then go down the 'morals' route - what is good or what is bad? And for whom?
Edit: made me look up the etymology for 'evil'. Yep... seems the origin of the word meant nothing more than 'uppity'. Over the millenia, the meaning of it got more and more sinister to it's current most common meaning of "extreme moral wickedness" (from the 18th century). "It seems theologians have had considerable influence upon shaping words to cause us to see according to their doctrines rather than what is plainly written." So maybe, in a way, you are right Steve - the word itself is not religious, but the meaning has been shaped by theology.
Nothing complex is ever simple except when it comes to God's love.
I feel God is a guiding intelligent power based in love.
Unconditional love that we, as humans, have not yet achieved.
I know nothing of man made religions, they don't speak to me
but I respect those who find solace there and admire their commitment.
I know God and He is great and I am thankful to know him.
Him?
Of course there is good without God.
Of course people have morals without religion and some with religion have none.
It is as individual as the individual .. why we should not judge
and why we should live and let live and love.
I like that better than IT that is all
I'm no expert as I didn't study ethics when I did my philosophy degree, but mostly it just seems like common sense to me.
So you'd excuse Joseph Goebbels then?
Even if you didn't focus a bit more on ethics (various cultures, etc.), you know that there are so many train of thoughts anyway that this question of good/evil, morals with or without god has been debated in so many different ways, with each 'school' of thoughts' having the 'answer' (or admitting there is none!).
I still believe that one doesn't need a 'power above' to guide your life. If one finds a need for this in order to live a 'good' life, then so be it. If some need a 'god' to be good, some can do this of their 'own free will'.
He doesn't look very happy does he?
When I see people who have lived their life like this man
I wonder how and why he chose his ways.
As a small child was he without love?
Did he learn to hate?
Was he mentally ill?
Was he born evil or let evil in?
It's not up to me or you to forgive but we have an opportunity to learn.
Yeah, I prefer the word "ethical" over "moral" myself, since religion has seemed to have adopted the word. And religious folks do tend to use it as ammo a lot when judging others' behavior. It's something I find ridiculous because many people in my experience shout morality when their own behavior shouts hypocrisy.
Religion, for the most part, is a positive influence in most people's lives and it sets guild lines and expectations for acceptable behavior. But just because someone isn't religious, it's foolish to think that they don't know the differences between right and wrong, good and evil.