RE: Simple question for Christians.
July 17, 2015 at 9:22 am
(This post was last modified: July 17, 2015 at 9:29 am by robvalue.)
Morality is very easy to explain, actually. Evolution. We evolved as a cooperate species. Those that cared about others and looked after those around them as well as themselves did better, so those qualities are prevalent. These are what we are likely to pass on to our children, and to learn from society as well. This explains why there is an overlap in a lot of topics of morality, and also why there is no consensus. We're all individuals.
Morality is about increasing the wellbeing of those you think are important, and minimising harm to the same. There is no cosmic "right and wrong" about it, that makes no sense.
Once you've decided what is important, let's say human life, you can rate actions as more moral than others, at least very broadly. Helping someone cross the street is more moral than smashing their head in with a rock. Evolution plays a big part in what we find important.
Be careful not to conflate real world morality (wellbeing versus harm) and religious morality (what an undemonstrated being wants to happen). They are totally seperate things.
I understand that theists often feel uncomfortable with there being no supreme judge of "right and wrong". But as I explained, no such judge is necessary. We are the judges, and we decide together.
Morality is about increasing the wellbeing of those you think are important, and minimising harm to the same. There is no cosmic "right and wrong" about it, that makes no sense.
Once you've decided what is important, let's say human life, you can rate actions as more moral than others, at least very broadly. Helping someone cross the street is more moral than smashing their head in with a rock. Evolution plays a big part in what we find important.
Be careful not to conflate real world morality (wellbeing versus harm) and religious morality (what an undemonstrated being wants to happen). They are totally seperate things.
I understand that theists often feel uncomfortable with there being no supreme judge of "right and wrong". But as I explained, no such judge is necessary. We are the judges, and we decide together.
Feel free to send me a private message.
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Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum