what are we supposed to say again when christians ask us where we get our morality?

[Chad32]

The Christian tradition gives a "get out of jail free" card to anyone who "says they're really sorry" to Jesus, and Jesus will just pat you on the back and shrug, and open up the pearly gates of Heaven.

If a brother decides he wants to rape his sister repeatedly for years on end, and doesn't see the point of making an apology later, because he's suffered no consequences and "got over it" years ago, it doesn't matter if the sister still wakes up screaming two decades later, it's ok, because Jesus forgave them, they will never see any consequences because the victim is protecting the family (as often happens) by not "upsetting anyone" should the information come to light, because of this horse-shit Christian tradition about "forgiveness" and the make-believe contradictory idea of divine judgement.

Yeah, I've heard stheists say that the very idea of asking Jesus for forgiveness is wrong, because it's the victims of the crimes that should be asked. You just say you're really sorry to Jesus, and don't do it again, and everything's covered. Sure maybe your new view on life might cause you to want to pay reparations towards the victim, but that's optional.

[CharnelRC]

Someone on another Atheist chat gave me a 'cheat sheet' which had all the answers to what to say when Christians ask stuff long time ago, but i lost it.

but seems frequently christian people tell me that without god we are all douches and if it wasn't for god there would be no good in mankind - so what do we say again for that?

sometimes i feel like 99% of people are pretty mean and it feels pretty spiritual when someone is nice to me, but i dont agree that without Christianity people are bad cus i know lotta nice people who aren't Christians. and seems to me like people on christian forums are the most mean, they don't use bad words but the things they say are much more mean IMO

People who do good because god tells them so are not doing it for the sake of goodness, but because they are told to do so with reward of "eternal life". In other words, Theists are robots who do what they're told.
Books and religions change. One century they'll consider a certain act as good, another century they'll consider it evil.

Only an Atheist can be genuinely good, because an Atheist isn't doing it for god, or out of fear, but for the good itself.

Morality is universal, god is not.

Tell that to those nuts and crackers, and they won't even know what you're talking about.

[Mr Brightside]

Someone on another Atheist chat gave me a 'cheat sheet' which had all the answers to what to say when Christians ask stuff long time ago, but i lost it.

but seems frequently christian people tell me that without god we are all douches and if it wasn't for god there would be no good in mankind - so what do we say again for that?

sometimes i feel like 99% of people are pretty mean and it feels pretty spiritual when someone is nice to me, but i dont agree that without Christianity people are bad cus i know lotta nice people who aren't Christians. and seems to me like people on christian forums are the most mean, they don't use bad words but the things they say are much more mean IMO

Here in Texas it's primarily christian.. I've lived here my whole life, and can honestly say i've seen some very cruel things. The fact is most religious people see the Christian/Catholic etc.. religion as a cushion to save them from eternal damnation. These people actually believe they can do bad things (after all that is what Jesus died for right?) and just ask god for forgiveness. Then there ya go! It's like a big reset button.

I was raised in a primarily christian religious community. But early on i saw through their bull shit.. for this i was ridiculed at school. Even teachers acted like they hated me.. like i was some freak of nature. I gotta admit i let it get to me sometimes even tried to take my own life a few times..

I almost thank those people for showing me how NOT TO BE. Morals are something i have learned over my entire life. Through different people, different circumstances and trying to see everyone's point of view. Im still learning to this day...

I think having good morals is just trying your best to understand what is right and wrong.. I don't need a book to tell me to care for others.. I just do of my own free will. I don't need a book to tell me to be respectful.. i just am. I also don't need a book to tell me what is wrong... i'll make that decision for myself.

[The Valkyrie]

ANother option in replying to this is, "Oh, that's right, I have no morals. Have you met my friend Mr. Stabby (or Mr. Shooty)?"

[Statler Waldorf]

Ask them what they mean by morality. If it has nothing to do with the well-being of sentient beings but instead arbitrary rules established by an ancient deity on a long lost stone tablet, then they're not talking about morality. If they reply that it is the subject that deals with how human beings ought to treat others, then tell him you decide how to treat others the same way they do, or at least should: by experiencing suffering and well-being and using your brain to figure out how to best bring about results that multiply the latter and diminish the former.

Why is morality defined as the well-being of sentient beings? That’s completely arbitrary.

---

People who do good because god tells them so are not doing it for the sake of goodness, but because they are told to do so with reward of "eternal life". In other words, Theists are robots who do what they're told.
Books and religions change. One century they'll consider a certain act as good, another century they'll consider it evil.

Only an Atheist can be genuinely good, because an Atheist isn't doing it for god, or out of fear, but for the good itself.

Morality is universal, god is not.

Tell that to those nuts and crackers, and they won't even know what you're talking about.

What makes a particular act good or bad? Why is morality universal?

[Chad32]

Somethings are universally bad, like killing people. As a social species, we need each other to live healthy lives. People who go around killing others will find themselves ostracized, regardless of what culture they come from. Though exceptions can be made, depending on the circumstances. Killing an outsider is not considered as bad as killing a family member. Even the bible says that sometimes it's ok to end someone's life sometimes.

[Zidneya]

If I take them seriously I answer:



And if they are bunch of stupid fanatics that can't conceive the idea of morals without god I say to them that my morality comes from the Giant Spaghetti Monster.

[max-greece]

Why is morality defined as the well-being of sentient beings? That’s completely arbitrary.

It may be incomplete but it isn't arbitrary.

What makes a particular act good or bad? Why is morality universal?

Our evolved senses, as I stated in a previous reply in this thread, of empathy, reciprocation and a basic sense of fairness determine what is good and bad, in the main.

If morality is a particular system of values and principles of conduct then one can say that such systems are universal (amongst human populations). One cannot say, however, that the actual values and principles are universal.

[Whateverist]

Why is morality defined as the well-being of sentient beings? That’s completely arbitrary.

It isn't my job to define morality. Arbitrary? Hell as an expert, grown up human being I just shoot from the hip. Do it. Don't do it. Screw it, I'm not deciding for all time or for everyone or for every conceivable situation. I'm constantly responding to complex situations. I'm not in prison yet and I'm sure not worried about hell.

Why is morality universal?

Since your begging, is it? I thought that was what was in question.

[paulpablo]

Someone on another Atheist chat gave me a 'cheat sheet' which had all the answers to what to say when Christians ask stuff long time ago, but i lost it.

but seems frequently christian people tell me that without god we are all douches and if it wasn't for god there would be no good in mankind - so what do we say again for that?

sometimes i feel like 99% of people are pretty mean and it feels pretty spiritual when someone is nice to me, but i dont agree that without Christianity people are bad cus i know lotta nice people who aren't Christians. and seems to me like people on christian forums are the most mean, they don't use bad words but the things they say are much more mean IMO

We atheists keep delicate information such as our cheat sheets, propaganda and lies on a special website, it's also where all our secret plans to take over the world, dominate the education system, try and trick people into believing evolution is true, plant fake dinosaur bones and secretly start conflict between different religions.