I've never taken those positions on either of these issues.
I can't speak for other atheists, but my own position is that life/(human) lives have meaning, but that meaning is 1) self-defined and 2) individual, and thus not to be generalized to all.
Regarding ethics, I have no problem with thinking about them as a society's best practices to keep conflicts at a manageable level while helping the society to keep growing and competing. Good and evil are subjective concepts, and I'm happy that they aren't static. Maybe adding my voice to the discussion won't have the effect I want, but I appreciate the opportunity to be part of the conversation.
I can't speak for other atheists, but my own position is that life/(human) lives have meaning, but that meaning is 1) self-defined and 2) individual, and thus not to be generalized to all.
Regarding ethics, I have no problem with thinking about them as a society's best practices to keep conflicts at a manageable level while helping the society to keep growing and competing. Good and evil are subjective concepts, and I'm happy that they aren't static. Maybe adding my voice to the discussion won't have the effect I want, but I appreciate the opportunity to be part of the conversation.
