As my mother says there are three sides to every story. Your side, my side and the truth. So while many of us agree that being atheist is not synonymous with being amoral, I think there are sound reasons why some atheist take that road and it’s worth exploring those reasons objectively before we condemn those who take it.
Truth is, the Church has fucked up the very concept of morality (as I said elsewhere, I’m not being profane, I’m being precise). They’ve had such crazy ideas about morality throughout history.
1. As late as the 19th century, the Church taught that it’s wrong to by insurance. One argument said that buying insurance betrays a lack of faith. For others insurance represents an effort to elude the full effect of god’s judgement. If god wants you to be destitute, then you need to accept that.
2. As late as the 20th century, the Church has condoned wife abuse but condemned women who leave their husbands
3. In the Bible, smiles on the most treacherous acts done in his name
4. The Mosaic Law tells us that if a man rapes a married woman it is not an offence against the woman but against her husband. If the rape takes place in the city they are both put to death because the woman could have screamed and been rescued. The fact that she did not scream is proof that she was complicit in this crime against her husband. If the woman is not married the man must pay her father and marry her. That the woman may not want to be in a Luke and Laura marriage is not at issue
These are just a few of the reprehensible examples that have led some people to say forget it. I will do what I will do.
Let’s not throw out the chicken with the grease. Since there is no god, then god cannot be the author of our moral sensibilities, indeed these have evolved and continue to evolve as we gleam from experience which behaviors will make life better for the inhabitants of this planet. Those who don’t like the status quo don’t have the option of moving to another planet. Those who don’t care are like someone who pisses into a swimming pool not caring about the other people trying to swim and incognizant of the fact that they are in the same pool themselves. What goes around does come around.
Truth is, the Church has fucked up the very concept of morality (as I said elsewhere, I’m not being profane, I’m being precise). They’ve had such crazy ideas about morality throughout history.
1. As late as the 19th century, the Church taught that it’s wrong to by insurance. One argument said that buying insurance betrays a lack of faith. For others insurance represents an effort to elude the full effect of god’s judgement. If god wants you to be destitute, then you need to accept that.
2. As late as the 20th century, the Church has condoned wife abuse but condemned women who leave their husbands
3. In the Bible, smiles on the most treacherous acts done in his name
4. The Mosaic Law tells us that if a man rapes a married woman it is not an offence against the woman but against her husband. If the rape takes place in the city they are both put to death because the woman could have screamed and been rescued. The fact that she did not scream is proof that she was complicit in this crime against her husband. If the woman is not married the man must pay her father and marry her. That the woman may not want to be in a Luke and Laura marriage is not at issue
These are just a few of the reprehensible examples that have led some people to say forget it. I will do what I will do.
Let’s not throw out the chicken with the grease. Since there is no god, then god cannot be the author of our moral sensibilities, indeed these have evolved and continue to evolve as we gleam from experience which behaviors will make life better for the inhabitants of this planet. Those who don’t like the status quo don’t have the option of moving to another planet. Those who don’t care are like someone who pisses into a swimming pool not caring about the other people trying to swim and incognizant of the fact that they are in the same pool themselves. What goes around does come around.
The god who allows children to be raped out of respect for the free will choice of the rapist, but punishes gay men for engaging in mutually consensual sex couldn't possibly be responsible for an intelligently designed universe.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.
