I wanted to chime in here, I actually thought hard about this double standard accusation. Self introspection is the only path to meaningful change, after all.
Anyway, my conclusion is this: religion can contribute to a person's good behavior, but it is not the cause, because religion and faith are side effects of the naturally evolving morality of humans. We are moral as much as we can be with or without religion. This can be demonstrated, because if religion caused more moral behavior, we would see that reflected outwardly in things like commission of crimes, and charitable acts, not just monetary contributions. But that isn't what we see. We see the opposite, actually. Non religious people are less likely to commit criminal offenses. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that religion does not make humans behave better. Religion was an early attempt to codify behavior into societal laws. But now we have secular laws to serve that purpose, and taxes to replace tithing. The purpose and result is the same, only more effective when secular governments with checks and balances perform it, instead of churches.
Any way, you cannot contribute moral behavior to Fath because there is no evidence that it actually causes better moral behavior than secular laws and inherent genetics in the first place. However, if a person believes they are doing the right thing by blind faith and religion, they can commit terrible atrocities. Suicide bombers deeply believe they are committing a moral act. Same with those who bombed abortion clinics, and sometimes those who mistreat minorities like LGBT folks and those of color. They can rationalize how it is GOOD to do a mean, cruel, hateful thing more easily, because they see it as owed by the creator. Any blind faith, including blind faith in a human leader or government can have this result, it isn't really about religion per say but blind faith, but in this country we see it more with the religious people, for now.
So I know CL won't agree, but I wanted to explain more fully why atheists often do this, and that it isn't hatred or a double standard, just evidence based observation.
Morality is in our genetics, and in our societies which sometimes use religion as a tool to enforce it, though it appears to be a less effective tool than modern democracy and exposure to other cultures.
Tldr, religion is not a cause, it is an effect of our inherent desire for a more moral society.
Anyway, my conclusion is this: religion can contribute to a person's good behavior, but it is not the cause, because religion and faith are side effects of the naturally evolving morality of humans. We are moral as much as we can be with or without religion. This can be demonstrated, because if religion caused more moral behavior, we would see that reflected outwardly in things like commission of crimes, and charitable acts, not just monetary contributions. But that isn't what we see. We see the opposite, actually. Non religious people are less likely to commit criminal offenses. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that religion does not make humans behave better. Religion was an early attempt to codify behavior into societal laws. But now we have secular laws to serve that purpose, and taxes to replace tithing. The purpose and result is the same, only more effective when secular governments with checks and balances perform it, instead of churches.
Any way, you cannot contribute moral behavior to Fath because there is no evidence that it actually causes better moral behavior than secular laws and inherent genetics in the first place. However, if a person believes they are doing the right thing by blind faith and religion, they can commit terrible atrocities. Suicide bombers deeply believe they are committing a moral act. Same with those who bombed abortion clinics, and sometimes those who mistreat minorities like LGBT folks and those of color. They can rationalize how it is GOOD to do a mean, cruel, hateful thing more easily, because they see it as owed by the creator. Any blind faith, including blind faith in a human leader or government can have this result, it isn't really about religion per say but blind faith, but in this country we see it more with the religious people, for now.
So I know CL won't agree, but I wanted to explain more fully why atheists often do this, and that it isn't hatred or a double standard, just evidence based observation.
Morality is in our genetics, and in our societies which sometimes use religion as a tool to enforce it, though it appears to be a less effective tool than modern democracy and exposure to other cultures.
Tldr, religion is not a cause, it is an effect of our inherent desire for a more moral society.
“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
