Stereotyping and morality

[Thumpalumpacus]

So, I have listened to many agnostics and atheists. Many are angry and for various reasons. One of the reasons that they are angry is because of stereotyping. A recent observation, is that stereotyping isn't as highlighted in social discourse in the mainstream media as much as it seemed to be when i was in my teens during the 80's. Racism is still a major focus in the media but more general stereotyping does not seem to be an educational focus and I think it should be. One stereotype that really makes a very close friend of mine, who is agnostic, very angry is the assertion that atheists have no real morality without biblical law. Or it is just made up upon personal preference. Stereotyping is a human error and frailty that is widespread.

Here is what Saint Paul wrote a long time ago.

Romans 2:14
For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

So, here, a chief apostle in the bible, asserted that "the Law" was not necessary to have the things of the law "written in the heart." In the age of the internet and mass media so many Christians have taken it upon themselves to represent and teach the Gospel but many are not qualified to do so. Instead many are repeating ill-founded arguments that are directly refuted within the bible as if they were Gospel truth, because they have zeal for God but poor Christian education. But modern atheists in developed nations have not only "Law", but also real hearts and minds that have the capacity to develop sound moral code even if "the Law" were absent in society, such as it may be in some under developed regions of the world.

I don't really care what some dumbshit wrote a couple of thousand years ago.

I also don't really care for NoTrueScotsman arguments, either.

[Mudhammam]

the assertion that atheists have no real morality without biblical law.

I must at least give you credit for finding a way to use the phrases "real morality" and "biblical law" in the same sentence.

[FatAndFaithless]

Except for the whole psalms 14:1 thing...

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

[Chas]

Personally, I believe that God does have a hand in bringing goodness to the lives of people no matter what they believe. Lot's of people do the same thing. Someone clothed you, fed you, and sheltered you before you could do this for yourself. People did this for you. But, I believe, that although a person has no knowledge of God or even written law, that this person can grow and develop into moral person, because i believe that the basis for morality is love. If a person can love then that person can do what is good for who he loves. This comes naturally. What comes with much more difficulty is to do what is good for those that hate and abuse you. That is what Christian theology is mainly about. It also becomes very complicated because you have a claim to justice against anyone who does evil to you. It is a sacrifice. You bear what was unjust and in exchange you give something good. This is what Jesus's death demonstrates in Christianity. I can't know for certain, but I would think that an atheist can wish for the good of his persecutor in the way one can wish that he might "see the light", so to speak, and become less cruel.

Personally, I believe that evolution does have a hand in bringing goodness to the lives of people no matter what they believe. Lot's of people do the same thing. Someone clothed you, fed you, and sheltered you before you could do this for yourself. People did this for you. But, I believe, that although a person has no knowledge of evolution or even biology, that this person can grow and develop into moral person, because i believe that the basis for morality is empathy. If a person can empathize then that person can do what is good for others. This comes naturally. What comes with much more difficulty is to do what is good for those that hate and abuse you. That is what humanitarianism is mainly about. It also becomes very complicated because you have a claim to justice against anyone who does wrong to you. It is a compromise. You bear what was unjust and in exchange you give something good. This is what justice demonstrates in human rights. I can't know for certain, but I would think that a just person can wish for the good of his persecutor in the way one can wish that he might "see the light", so to speak, and become less cruel.

[Mudhammam]

Chas, I'm glad that's not your normal writing style.

[Mister Agenda]

I have to say, I find Don'tsaygoodnight's approach refreshing. He's at least trying to act according to the best Christian ideals. He's not ranting, he's not hateful, and he's not trying to convince us that what we say we think isn't what we really think. I hope he sticks around. It's easy to start thinking that the hardcore fundamentalists we get are typical, it's nice to see some variety in our Christian guests.

[SteelCurtain]

Seconded. Unfortunately, internet.

[daver49]

I'm not worried about being judged in the hereafter though because I don't think there is a hereafter. It's here and now (daver49 emphasis)I worry about.

How does the "here and now" judge you...right now? Doesn't worry have to do with the future?

[Jenny A]

I'm not worried about being judged in the hereafter though because I don't think there is a hereafter. It's here and now (daver49 emphasis)I worry about.

How does the "here and now" judge you...right now? Doesn't worry have to do with the future?

You misunderstand. I worry about morality in this life. There is no judgment except by ourselves and others.

[Mr.wizard]

This might seem like a dumb question, but I will ask it anyway. Is it even possible for a person to have no morality?