Where does an Atheist get there morals?

[ewomack]

Morality seems to predate religions. Religion also seems to build on a purely human moral, the details of which likely relate to collective survival. By the time the Bible came along, humans were already settling in cities and towns. For that to happen without major collapse, humans had to have what we would now call a moral sense. The Bible also isn't the first historical text to talk about morality. It was FAR from the first book that dealt with morality. Morality does not need to integrate with a text. Morality is part of our lives, which is why some seem to follow it better than others.

[BadPoison]

There is a multitude of biological and evolutionary reasons humans as a whole have a moral and ethic code. While the individuals can't be judged against the population, populations can be judged against each other. You'll find, that characteristics such as empathy, and community help in a group's survival. This is an evolved trait through natural selection of societies. This isn't only true in humans, you can see this in any social type of animal (lions, chimpanzees, dolphins, whales, ect.)

[Sophus]

I don't. I'm evil of course, just like every other atheist.  

[Kyuuketsuki]

I have Discussed this with an Atheist friend of mine and would like to here other views. I have made the argument that Atheist lack a since of moral code because they have no after consequence. so were do they get there moral code and understanding. There Religious parents? if that’s the case than the Atheist morals are spread from that of there religious parents and are shaped by the Ideas that they no longer acknowledge. I mean no offense by this question i would just like better understanding on the issue.

The problem with your question is that it relies on the assumption that there is an ultimate arbiter for morality and not only does a consistent morality not exist but there is no evidence for the arbiter.

In essence you need to justify why we must answer the question (especially since a brief trawl through the forum will reveal many, myself included, have answered the same to other theists many, many times).

Kyu

[Sophus]

Sorry but this is a pet peeve: It's their not there.

[oldschooldoc]

Sorry but this is a pet peeve: It's their not there.

Thank you Sophus! I was about to post the same comment...now I can just praise you for doing it  .

On the issue of morals, I believe there have been many good answers already. I especially agree with Kyu in that you mustn't assume that in order for morals to exist there must be an ultimate arbiter. I do the "right" thing (not always the same in every culture) for the good of my fellow humans, not to appeal to some guy/gal in the sky.

[Lark]

From their own conscience , From an inbuilt sense of what is right and what is wrong. Absolutely nothing to do with any religion.

[Recusant]

Welcome to Happy Atheist Forum, Lark!

[MariaEvri]

Sorry but this is a pet peeve: It's their not there.

was gonna say that but I was scared people would see me as bitchy
thanks

[curiosityandthecat]

Sorry but this is a pet peeve: It's their not there.

was gonna say that but I was scared people would see me as bitchy
thanks

Not at all. Every time I see this thread title my left eye twitches. I just didn't say anything because I assumed someone else did. I was right.

Still: wtf.

[bowmore]

Sorry but this is a pet peeve: It's their not there.

Your absolutely write.  

[Rastelin]

Actually we atheist get our morals from a dark god whose name should not be spoken, and these morals are written in the blood of kittens which…

No really  Simple human decency… No god, no rule, no dogma, no fear of hell, no celestial bullying. Just us being plain human and with it act like a human. It’s not so hard to understand once you accept the fact that the responsibility for your action is on you and not in the hands of some space daddy.

[VanReal]

This is actually a legitimate question and I am sure one that people of many religions have as they feel their behavior and morals come directly from their teachings.  It makes perfect sense because when raising children in religion you are indeed issuing them commands of acceptable moral behavior based on the teachings of your religions rules.  You can find the "Golden Rule" as it's referred to in Christianity in nearly all religions.  

Those of us that were not raised in non-belieiving households were probably exposed to these religious codes or rules from a very early age, so saying that some of our thought is not derived from those teachings is naiive.  However, many religions condone activity that persons outside of that particular religon would deem to be inately wrong and immoral.  So, to say morals come from religion is also naiive.

Morals and values come from people having to live together in some fashion that remains as civil as possible.  However, there are many morals and values that people have that would not be a part of this "social contract" as others have referred to.  It is morally acceptable in Texas society, for example, to kill an intruder in your home.  However, I would prefer to maim them or disable them so they couldn't cause me harm rather than to kill them.  Under our social contract I would be morally right in killing in this instance, personally I would not do so as I don't feel it moral to kill someone for burglary.  My point being I obtain my morals from many sources, and I reject the morals accepted from many sources.

[Tom62]

It is morally acceptable in Texas society, for example, to kill an intruder in your home.

Wow, if 'd kill an intruder in my house then I would spent many years in jail for manslaughter. I always thought that Texas was  "Christian" state, where they obey the biblical commandments. Wasn't "Thou shall not kill"  one of these commandments?

[curiosityandthecat]

It is morally acceptable in Texas society, for example, to kill an intruder in your home.

Wow, if 'd kill an intruder in my house then I would spent many years in jail for manslaughter. I always thought that Texas was  "Christian" state, where they obey the biblical commandments. Wasn't "Thou shall not kill"  one of these commandments?

For a second, it almost sounded like you think Christian morality, responsibility and actions are... logical and consistent!