Hi Padraic.
Well, my question was “assuming atheism is true, why do atheists such as Russell feel any need to complain about the alleged immorality of theists?” I did not assert that "atheists are immoral/amoral." I’m asserting that the whole question of morality is absurd for the atheist.
That’s the point. If morality is merely conventional or preferential, why don’t atheists make such a claim?
Ethics is a meaningless concept for the atheist. Morality is a meaningless concept for the atheist. They are merely matters of opinion or tradition, which are both meaningless. The universe doesn’t care what meat-machines do to each other. Why should you or I?
Why bother living within such constraints? When you die you’ll cease to exist and the universe could care less how you lived your life. Live a moral life, live an immoral life, both are absurd and meaningless notions. Why the pretense that you live a moral life?
“Moral law,” “moral relativism,” and “moral authority” are absurd and meaningless concepts.
All of which are absurdities in an atheistic universe. Again, I am accusing no one. I just asked the question “assuming atheism is true, why do atheists such as Russell feel any need to complain about the alleged immorality of theists?” My intention is not to be personally offensive, but to underscore the inevitable result of atheistic presuppositions regarding ethics. Just as I have little patience for Christians who deny the doctrine of Hell because they find it distasteful, so I have little patience for atheists who make a great show of affirming the existence of moral standards in a universe where there are none, and indeed wherein the very concept of morality is an absurd one.
Quote:Oh dear here we go again. THAT old canard "atheists are immoral/amoral."
Atheists have one and only one thing in common: a lack of belief in god(s). There in no such thing as an "atheist position" on any other subject whatsoever.
Well, my question was “assuming atheism is true, why do atheists such as Russell feel any need to complain about the alleged immorality of theists?” I did not assert that "atheists are immoral/amoral." I’m asserting that the whole question of morality is absurd for the atheist.
Quote:Straw man fallacy.I have never made such a claim,nor seen,heard or read of any other atheist do so.
That’s the point. If morality is merely conventional or preferential, why don’t atheists make such a claim?
Quote:No does not.. Atheism implies (suggest) or infers (concludes) NOTHING apart from a disbelief in god(s)
Ethics is a meaningless concept for the atheist. Morality is a meaningless concept for the atheist. They are merely matters of opinion or tradition, which are both meaningless. The universe doesn’t care what meat-machines do to each other. Why should you or I?
Quote:I speak for myself. I do not speak for other atheist nor they for me. I'm a moral relativist.That means I reject the notion of absolute moral imperatives,not the notion of morality.Day-to-day ,I live within what would be called a Judaeo-Christian moral/ethical frame work: I obey the law pay my taxes (I have never cheated on my taxes in my life because I believe it's morally wrong) I don't lie, steal, harm other living creatures nor sleep with other mens' wives.These are all moral prohibitions,a based on my guiding life philosophy which is egoism,(moral,rational and psychological).
Why bother living within such constraints? When you die you’ll cease to exist and the universe could care less how you lived your life. Live a moral life, live an immoral life, both are absurd and meaningless notions. Why the pretense that you live a moral life?
Quote:I assert that there are exceptions to every absolute moral law of which I've ever heard. THAT'S what I mean by moral relativism.Be thrilled if you can give me an exception without appealing to revealed text,which I reject as a moral authority..
“Moral law,” “moral relativism,” and “moral authority” are absurd and meaningless concepts.
Quote:To come to this forum and accuse me,others members and atheists generally of amorality is arrogant, ignorant and offensive.
All of which are absurdities in an atheistic universe. Again, I am accusing no one. I just asked the question “assuming atheism is true, why do atheists such as Russell feel any need to complain about the alleged immorality of theists?” My intention is not to be personally offensive, but to underscore the inevitable result of atheistic presuppositions regarding ethics. Just as I have little patience for Christians who deny the doctrine of Hell because they find it distasteful, so I have little patience for atheists who make a great show of affirming the existence of moral standards in a universe where there are none, and indeed wherein the very concept of morality is an absurd one.
