Why be good?

[Cyberman]

Option D - he makes a decision based on his own mind and conscience. If "God" has a problem with it, tough shit.

[abaris]

Let me put it this way: you, as an atheist, benefit from the fact that you live in a society that is still largely influenced by Judeo-Christian morality. A look at ISIS will give you some indication of what your life would be like if Christianity were not still pulling us to the "right".

Or would you look forward to living under Sharia law? And what would life be like if there were no authority at all?

Oh, puke. Society is influenced by the Age of Enlightenment, not by you judeo christian values. If you want to talk about judeo christian values take a good hard look at the 17th century and then come back with your ridiculous notion of as opposed to Sharia law. It's because religious nuttery has been pushed back in the 18th century that we live in a rather liberal society.

[Iroscato]

If it is true that the only reason you aren't committing atrocities is your belief in a higher power, then a)please do not ever stop holding that belief and b)please consult a mental health professional, because you are severely lacking in empathy and that is a very worrying sign.

Assuming, of course, you're not just bullshitting us and possibly yourself.

Is it really so extreme as that?

Sure, we all have basic understandings of right and wrong (I say these are from God; some but not all atheists in this thread say they are from societal convention or agreement or evolution).

However, there's no reason to believe that all Christians would become axe murderers if they "lost" their faith. But conversely, I think the "Mad Max" analogy used much earlier might have some truth to it in the total absence of God.

Let me put it this way: you, as an atheist, benefit from the fact that you live in a society that is still largely influenced by Judeo-Christian morality. A look at ISIS will give you some indication of what your life would be like if Christianity were not still pulling us to the "right".

Or would you look forward to living under Sharia law? And what would life be like if there were no authority at all?

The situation in the middle east is due to a vast array of complex and interconnected factors that have been playing out for many centuries, and could do without you pointing it out and going "LOL it's cuz they got teh rong god!!!111oneoneeleven!!
Islam might be responsible for some horrendous acts of barbarity, but you've got some serious balls (or a severe lack of brain cells, I suspect) to suggest your own brand of bullshit is in any way better.

And hey, guess what? We already have a total absence of god in our daily lives. He isn't there. He is non-existent. You have wasted so much of your life kneeling at the feet of a phantom. I honestly pity you in some small way.

[Longhorn]

Is it really so extreme as that?

Sure, we all have basic understandings of right and wrong (I say these are from God; some but not all atheists in this thread say they are from societal convention or agreement or evolution).

However, there's no reason to believe that all Christians would become axe murderers if they "lost" their faith. But conversely, I think the "Mad Max" analogy used much earlier might have some truth to it in the total absence of God.

Let me put it this way: you, as an atheist, benefit from the fact that you live in a society that is still largely influenced by Judeo-Christian morality. A look at ISIS will give you some indication of what your life would be like if Christianity were not still pulling us to the "right".

Or would you look forward to living under Sharia law? And what would life be like if there were no authority at all?

If Christians don't go ape shit and murder everybody when they lose their faith, it proves that their morals are ultimately independent of their religion. And since they don't, the assertion that there is no morality without a god is bullshit.

Please point out the Judeo-Christian values in today's Western society. Do we avoid mixed fabrics? Stone adulterers? Ban eating shrimps? Pronounce women unclean during their periods?

And it's absolutely hilarious how you completely ignore that most democratic Western countries have secular values and godless constitutions-which is ironically the only way to protect everybody's religious freedoms-also yours, Randy.

[robvalue]

That does raise a further question. If we had some sort of smelling salts which could break the spell of believers, would it be ethical to use it? My feelings are that they would most likely thank us for it afterwards, especially if we used it on all their family and friends at the same time. But even if I was pretty sure I'd be doing them a service, would it be right to do it against their will? I'm thinking it wouldn't. Definitely wouldn't. But maybe some of them might actually want to... what if we developed one that only lasted for a day? Then they could decide whether they want the full whack or to be left to go back again. Now that would be awesome. I wonder who would be willing to try it out? I would be interested to take some "theist for a day" smelling salts, as long as I was absolutely sure it was temporary and not harmful.

[Dystopia]

Would you mind asking those questions in the Ask a Catholic thread?

They seem off-topic here.

Thanks.

Sorry wrong thread! I was using the mobile version so perhaps I didn't see trough it.

[Whateverist]

Some how I can't believe that living a good life boils down to 'being good'. 'Being good' is like doing (and not doing) what mommy tells you. Christians just never grow up. They still have God to please. To each his own but I am so happy not to have been born into a family which could have led to my becoming an apologist for some religion.

[abaris]

Some how I can't believe that living a good life boils down to 'being good'.  'Being good' is like doing (and not doing) what mommy tells you.

Yeah, requiring a set of rules to know that axe murdering your neighbour and take his belongings is something to be frowned upon is kind of frightening.

[Whateverist]

Some how I can't believe that living a good life boils down to 'being good'.  'Being good' is like doing (and not doing) what mommy tells you.

Yeah, requiring a set of rules to know that axe murdering your neighbour and take his belongings is something to be frowned upon is kind of frightening.

Christian morality is pretty Kantian that way.  When you visit your ailing relative in the hospital it counts for more boot-lick points if you do it from a sense of duty than mere lovey-dovey emotion.

[abaris]

Christian morality is pretty Kantian that way.

Might be one of the reasons why Kant is one of my least favorite philosophers.