Atheists : Can your morals ever be externalised in words, written or verbally? Or are your morals personal to yourselves?
by 
Tim Unbounded
ANSWERS: 19
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The only point of atheism is that you don't believe in a higher being, it doesn't mean that we don't have moral's or personal views on life. I could list all of my moral's and some are the same as those of other religions. My moral's are mine, they are not what other people want them to be, all of them are personal, I would not let somebody else decide my thoughts and feelings towards life for me.
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Whatever they are I am sure I can express them in far better English than that used by the questioner.
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As I happen to be a person who lives his life without religious beliefs; I can show and describe in print or other wise what I feel morally or otherwise. In fact because I have no religious beliefs my conscience is free to express my exact opinions without fear of breaching any religious beliefs.
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Since I am an individual and my morals are based on my experiences and my personality I usually keep them to myself. I suppose they could be written down, but honestly why would anyone want to read them? If I follow the rules and the laws of the land I am in, then I don't think it matters what my morals are, at least thats what I've experienced so far in life. :) If people really want to know and I trust them not to freak out and throw bible/koran/torah/etc quotes my way then when they ask, I tell them my views.
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Yes and No. As an atheist I have 'permission' to examine my moral and ethical basics. But that does not mean I have done it, or that it is an easy thing to do. Much of my childhood learning have by this time become 'unconscious' likes and dislikes that I do not really have a considered rationale for. So even though I think that my grownup ethic and morality are largely rational and considered, I cannot deny that they also have unexamined and un-considered aspects. I could not fully write it out in words. regards JakobA
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Sometimes it's hard for people to examine the foundations of their mind, so I can understand if one has problems expressing their deepest morals. I was raised baptist, so many of my morals are still shadows of the commandments of Exodus, but I am trying to steer them toward avoiding whatever causes suffering and toward whatever brings me a balance between personal pleasure and the well-being of those around me. I do this because nobody likes an asshole and treating people the way they want to be treated gives me great social advantage. Basically, I'm trying to take the findings of the physiological models of cognitive behavior, have my negative values mirror what the mind is designed to not like, and have my positive values mirror what the mind does like, and temper it with worldly experience.
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I could write my personal moral code out but it would take ages and I have never felt any need, want or pusrpose that would inspire me to bother.
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I have the right to flail my arms wildly about me, but that right ends where the other person's nose begins. That is the basis of my moral code, which derives from that concept.
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I'll only say my morals aren't based on some ancient old outdated book administered by corrupted, baby raping old fools afraid of getting their dicks wet with women...oops..forgot the preachers.. They aren't afraid of getting it wet..they just lie about it.
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That's the beauty of atheism. Nothing is immoral unless you say it is. You get to define morality however you want.
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Morality exists because of the nature of man. It has nothing to do with what anybody says. If you jump out of an airplane at 10,000 feet, you do not need anybody to tell you that you need a parachute in order to make that fact true. It is true because certain things in reality are a fact. Same is true for morality.
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I think as an Atheist.. the same as any religion/moral should.. personal.. because you have all our path (whatever religion/moral you have).. I'm not the kind of atheist who want to convert other people.. I just think a religion/moral should not being force. The people should follow the paths they think is their own..
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I don't see the point. Nor do I think anyone's can be completely described. For the most part I think "morals" can be defined as "emotional aesthetics". I know lots of Christians will jump on that but let'em. People do what makes them feel good emotionally - and for most of us that is some version of "do as you'd have done to you". +5
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Of course. But there are moral philosophers who put it better. Try James Rachaels' "The Elements of Moral Philosophy' - an excellent exploration of a rational, non-religious moral structure.
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I think Aleister Crowley said it best. "That it hurt none, do what thou will." I would like to kill people to see what it is like, the ultimate power, "I took everything from you in one stroke." But my atherist morality will not allow it. Actually I was baptised Roman Catholic. Hey you know where the bible says,"Happy is who he dashes the babies heads against the rocks"? Are they speaking of genocide?
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Are you asking if atheist's can write about morals. Sure, especially since they are internal social rule to help us live in a progressive society. Morals and etiquette are what enable society to smoothly function. Sometimes they correspond to what people, think, are the religious commandments. Rules like don't steal, don't kill, don't require a god's orders. Sometimes they are the opposite, the one that really offends me is "Worship no gods before Me". It is exactly three words too long. I would say that most atheists are at least as moral as the best religious. Most of time they are more moral because they don't condemn others for not having the correct brand of faith. My morals are very simple, treat others like you would like to be treated, and cause no harm. By the way I wouldn't consider talking a person out of a set of religious convictions as causing harm. In fact it is usually beneficial. How is that for writing about morals? Are you satisfied?
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Yes. The golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Anything more, is just commentary.
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Atheists create their own moral code.
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Why would an atheist's morals be any different from a "book" religion? Is it better (the morals) because someone wrote down a manual for you to follow, instead of deciding on your own what is right and wrong? I believe that a vast majority of people don't steal, cheat, lie, kill, or covet their neighbor's corvette (maybe a little), WITHOUT religion coming into it. Because they KNOW it is wrong, without a book telling them so.
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