Are good morals taught in an atheistic congragation?
367934
a) you misspelled congregation\nb) atheists's morals are deep and heartfelt because they are developed through thought, effort, living, and constant reevaluation, rather than by reading something in an old book.
149563
As an agnostic I do believe in morals values and preserving this little aquarium in space that we all live in. But being athiest does not make you any more moralistic or less than a religious person. Studies have shown that secular people have \nthe same morals as church folk. I would dare say that more have died in religously driven wars and disputes than common murder
275809
Morality is not taught as much as it used to be by the general public.(eg. prison populations) Teaching or having morals is an option we are given. Being the people God wants us to be is also an option. Regardless of what moral values a person has they can still become a child in God and God will do the rest. God will not hold the entire human race responsible for the actions of non-believers. Just the actions of each individual.
504664
I am an atheist or an agnostic depending on the definition of God one starts with.  I do experience very deep emotions about the world around me, and I in fact feel an affinity and a connection to a religious denomination called Unitarian Universalism, which is open to people like me, and which tends to eschew the mention of God in its services.  I suppose my affinity to that denomination says something about my moral values: I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.  Also, as an atheist, I am fond of Judaism, simply because of the old adage according to which atheism is but a branch of Judaism, not because of any particular religious beliefs orthodox Jews may hold.
759543
I am an atheist and I am as flawed as any human being is. I have made mistakes, and I will continue to make mistakes, because human beings are imperfect. I strive to be the best that I have in thought, word and deed, because my principles are important to me.  I try hard not to hurt others. I am not the best person in the world and I am not the worst. \n\nI don't believe that I am by nature sinful, because I don't believe in sin the way Christians do. I am not inherently bad because I am human.\n\nThat doesn't mean I can spot and change what is wrong with me myself. I need plenty of help in adhering to my principles, but I don't get that help simply by asking God for it. I have to change my behavior. Name calling ("arrogant" ) is not changing my behavior. It is simply playing "one up" on people so that the writer doesn't have to look at his own behavior.
1068406
A truly atheist person should not care whether a person believes in a God.  A true atheist can respect and accept others beliefs and rationally discuss different ideas and points of views intellectually and maturely.  A truly atheist person needs to take the time to edcucate themselves on the power of religion and learn about how religion has shaped our world.\n\nA truly atheist person sees how organized religions have shaped the world and although they do not share those beliefs they do appreciate the impact religion has had throughout history (wars, art, music, etc)\n\nAs an atheist, I have read the Bible and come up with my own interpretations.  I have three versions of the book that I reference just because I know that religion is about interpretation and each person has to discover that for themselves.\n\nI happily discuss and share ideas with people of faith in well balanced conversations.   In fact, I have had several discussions with my family (who are extremely religious), and most of our arguments regarding faith is that they could not leave me alone regarding my non-belief.  They are still trying to counter some of the statements they have been taught that are far stretches from the stories in the Bible because they never took the time to read and interpret the book for themselves.  I give them the respect and courtesy to go to church with them and keep my thoughts to myself.  When they attack me for not believing, trust me, I am well prepared to defend my feelings and correct their assumptions.  I can tell you some stories where I made the pastor of their church have to go back and re-read several passages for them and he did find that my interpretations were rational and plausible.\n\nI know exactly what you are talking about and I have to admit that those "atheists" you are referring to disgust me.  You get those types of people whether they are believers or non-believers.  They give a bad impression on true atheists.  Atheist's should never try to put people down for having faith.  A true atheist should never laugh at one another’s faith.  \n\nI will also admit to being in situations where believers have argued with me telling me my ideas are wrong.  I tell these people that faith is very powerful.  My beliefs are not in a higher power.  There is no need to argue about what is right or what the bible truly means in certain passages.  Our thoughts have been shared and let’s just grow from the knowledge and experience of that.  This is how humanity grows.  Let's appreciate our differences and appreciate the diversified perceptions that help us grow as a society.
1170105
Hi,\n\nThis sentence - which, despite some answerer's comments, is very often said - is a very valuable sentence because it gives us a lot of insight into the believer's mind. It's my belief that somebody who grows up in a very insular 'fundamentalist' house often tends not to develop an independent sense of right-and-wrong. There must be exceptions, of course, but a lot of people refrain from killing, stealing, coveting and wearing mixed fabrics not because they've ever objectively considered the right-and-wrong of these actions but merely because 'God told them not to'. 'Hell' is the equivalent of 'wait till your father gets home' - but the difference is that the latter is only applicable for children who don't have a fully-formed concept of actions and repercussions.\n\nFor somebody whose definition of 'good behaviour' is based solely on what they read in a book, it's quite logical for them to presume that an atheist would not engage in good behaviour. The unfortunate implication is that, for these people, they would freely murder, rape, steal, pillage and wear mixed fabrics if it weren't for God's decree against those actions. Furthermore, they see murder as bad not because a person's life has been lost and his/her family torn asunder but merely because the perpetrator 'sinned' against God. Would you trust such a person with your child?\n\nLastly, what objective conclusion can you draw about the morality of a person who says 'A sin is a sin - lying and killing are equal in the eyes of God'? What conclusion can you draw about the morality of a deity who would believe that?
791767
A person is an atheist based on an analytical view and has therefore settled any questions as to otherwise.  It is not a whim or a notion, it is based on as solid a foundation as any religion, more so actually because it is based on what we believe to be fact.  I would certainly hope that the kind lady would not ask me to change my heart on this matter.  And, in turn, even though I would agree to be the recipient for the kidney that will give her a "reward" from God, I would not ask her to change her view toward God.  Please bear this in mind:  Although it is rare, sometimes people will perform sacrifices for each other with no other motive (i.e. rewards, going to heaven, avoiding hell) than to be good human beings.  That, my dear, is a rare and true sacrifice.
616272
Okay, you are an athiest. Thats your belief and you have a right to it.\nReligion is not garbage, its misinterpretation of one which makes it stink. Giving up something before trying to understand is way of the escapist.\nTeach your children the good things you know. Let them be free to chose their own path.\nYou met some athiests and they were good people. Whoever said atheists are bad people? and who says that people of faith are bad? Just a few of the exceptions don;t make the rule. And if you think that all the people who believe in religion are bad then, seriously, I doubt that you will be able to do justice to your role as a father.
309662
Funny! They let you type on the internet in prison? You probably stole the computer and are beating someone up as you type. \n\nI hope you can see my sarcasm as well. I am also an atheist. It is funny that people believe that morals and right and wrong come from a god. I guess Christians believe that people before Jesus came had no morals since they had no religion tell them what to do.\n\nThere's nothing more rewarding than being a happy, hard-working person who pays the rent (no mortgage or family yet!) and is kind to others and loves his friends or family, and does it all without having a god tell me what to do. I did it all on my own. That may sound selfish or self-rightous, but there's nothing more out there to help me.\n\nI read somewhere that only only 5 percent of prisoners are atheists.\n\nWell, I gotta go. The warden wants me to mop the cafeteria and then I have to stamp some liscense plates.
425183
Good and evil are directly related to your position to the issue, the intentions of the person that caused the issue, and the REAL outcome.  <Atheist view
983989
believing in god for me is not a base point for being a good person,because i met lots of people not believing in god but they are good, there are many factors for being a good person, one thing is to follow the Golden Rules, Ten Commanments, or simply have a good MORAL.
960030
I am sure many atheists are stoics, since atheists simply do not believe in God. and stoics believe that virtue and happiness are obtained through destiny and natural law - there is no clash.\n\nMany unknowingly are stoics!!!
163833
Been reading Plato's Socratic dialogue with Euthyphro?  The question is: Is something good because it is loved by God(s), or is something loved by God(s) because it is good?  It's a delicious paradox.  Since I'm an atheist, I answer it by saying that morality stems from that which is considered good  in the society in which one is brought up.  Immorality stems from that which is considered wrong in that same society.  Right and wrong are not absolutes, but also not under the control of any beings other than ourselves.
786964
There is no reason for thumbs down, that is a valid question.\n\nIf an atheist is arguing that atheism will necessarily make one a better person, then those would be good examples to show to contradict their argument. \n\nBut most atheists aren't really arguing that, though I suppose some do. I think what most atheists are arguing is that religion does not necessarily make you a better person, which is why they bring up the examples of religious extremists, the Inquisition, etc. Remember, a common charge against atheists is that without God they necessarily must not have any morals, and thereby by implication that morals come from religion alone. It is that which atheists are arguing against. \n\nBut there can be no question that many have killed in the names of all sorts of ideas, whether they be religious ones, or atheistic ones.
950511
It is my belief that many Atheist have doubts about their belief and therefore have to bash religions in order to bolster their own weak belief in Atheism. Then some just find bashing religion fun as religious people find it fun to bash us. What difference does that make we are all just having fun. I am an Atheist but I am a strong believer in the US Constitution which gives freedom of religion. I think everyone should be free to practice their religion and believe as they please as long as it doesn't prevent others from practicing theirs. God bless kisses Betty.
825679
atheists, I suppose, embrace individual liberty\n\nI can only speak for myself