I'm just now getting into this thread, having posted on a similar subject elsewhere, so forgive me if I repeat what's been said before (will review the entire thread later)...
Morality is a measure of how we treat our fellow sentient beings.
The basis is a combination of our empathy (we feel the pain of others) and sense of reciprocity (how we would want to be treated in the other's place or the "do-unto-others..." rule).
The three commandments I try to live by are as follows:
1. Act with integrity
2. Respect the rights of others
3. Take responsibility for your actions
These commandments are not based on any dictates from a deity but rather how I would wish to be treated by others. This is called "the social contract". The existence of lack thereof of any god would thus have no impact on my behaviors toward others because my sense of empathy and reciprocity remain constant.
As a theist, you are free to believe that God gave me this conscience and sense of empathy and fair play if you wish. Others might suggest that evolution has taken its course, that humans being a community animal codependent on one another for survival would not have survived otherwise.
The imperative remains the same either way.
Morality is a measure of how we treat our fellow sentient beings.
The basis is a combination of our empathy (we feel the pain of others) and sense of reciprocity (how we would want to be treated in the other's place or the "do-unto-others..." rule).
The three commandments I try to live by are as follows:
1. Act with integrity
2. Respect the rights of others
3. Take responsibility for your actions
These commandments are not based on any dictates from a deity but rather how I would wish to be treated by others. This is called "the social contract". The existence of lack thereof of any god would thus have no impact on my behaviors toward others because my sense of empathy and reciprocity remain constant.
As a theist, you are free to believe that God gave me this conscience and sense of empathy and fair play if you wish. Others might suggest that evolution has taken its course, that humans being a community animal codependent on one another for survival would not have survived otherwise.
The imperative remains the same either way.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
