So Easy To Be An Atheist!

[seer]

I mean what is not to like, you get to make up your own moral code, live by it, then claim to be virtuous.

[One Bad Pig]

[whag]

I mean what is not to like, you get to make up your own moral code, live by it, then claim to be virtuous.

[One Bad Pig]

Hey whag, long time no see.

[Rushing Jaws]

I mean what is not to like, you get to make up your own moral code, live by it, then claim to be virtuous.

I think that is very wide of the mark.

[shunyadragon]

I mean what is not to like, you get to make up your own moral code, live by it, then claim to be virtuous.

Individuals do not determine codes of morals and ethics, because cultures and societies determine the morals and ethics. As far as humanists, agnostics and atheists go, the Humanist Manifesto is the only code of ethics and morals that would represent these belief systems. The Common Law history represents the evolution of humanist morals and ethics as applied to legal systems in the Western world.

[Tassman]

I mean what is not to like, you get to make up your own moral code, live by it, then claim to be virtuous.

The Common Law history represents the evolution of humanist morals and ethics as applied to legal systems in the Western world.

It also represents the evolution of religion-based morals and ethics.

[seer]

I'm not claiming that I live virtuously, just the opposite in light of New Testament moral principles. My point, if one is a devout believer he has an objective or universal standard to live up to. The atheist has no such standard. It would be perfectly rational for him or her to reject any moral code that he is having difficultly living up to and lower the bar so that the new goal in within reach.

[seer]

I'm not saying that one goes around killing, but why not change your moral code as you see fit? Lower the bar? If you have ethical ideals that are beyond your reach, why not just change those ideals so that they are easily reached? For instance, you would like to be kind and generous to all men, but you just can't find it in you to do so, well lower the standard to a reachable goal - say just to some men who reciprocate. It would be perfectly rational for the atheist to do this.

[whag]

I'm not claiming that I live virtuously, just the opposite in light of New Testament moral principles. My point, if one is a devout believer he has an objective or universal standard to live up to.

The atheist has no such standard. It would be perfectly rational for him or her to reject any moral code that he is having difficultly living up to and lower the bar so that the new goal in within reach.

[seer]

But they can, what is preventing from changing your moral code to fit your desires? I mean within reason.


Good example. Say you are attracted to a married woman, and she to you. If you if presently think it is immoral why not just change your moral ideal so you can have an affair?

[Rushing Jaws]

Individuals do not determine codes of morals and ethics, because cultures and societies determine the morals and ethics. As far as humanists, agnostics and atheists go, the Humanist Manifesto is the only code of ethics and morals that would represent these belief systems. The Common Law history represents the evolution of humanist morals and ethics as applied to legal systems in the Western world.

In addition, atheists and agnostics have consciences, and senses of right and wrong. Not all bother with the Humanist Manifesto - whatever that may be - but just get on with life, like anyone else. It is because they are often highly moral people that many of them are not favourably impressed by those who have a religion.

[37818]

The working premise need only be that there is no god. Unfortunately for most, if not all, atheists have a fundamental problem with absolute truths.

And those who actually know God could not honestly make that premise.

[whag]

But they can, what is preventing from changing your moral code to fit your desires? I mean within reason.




Good example. Say you are attracted to a married woman, and she to you. If you if presently think it is immoral why not just change your moral ideal so you can have an affair?

[Doug Shaver]

I mean what is not to like, you get to make up your own moral code, live by it, then claim to be virtuous.

I've answered that claim many times in this and other forums. The usual theist response to whatever I say is simply: That's not true.

Since it doesn't make a bit of difference what I say, I see no point right now in going through the exercise one more time. Maybe sometime later.