To atheists in particular...?

Question

do you believe in a system of morals? is there a right or a wrong? AND if so how are they defined?

Answer 1

Of course there are.  Society defines morals and laws define right and wrong.

Answer 2

Haven't you heard? We don't have morals. That's why it was atheists who set up Rule of Law. That's why Christians with lesser ethics and morals than I are always surprised to learn I am an atheist.

Sheesh. How come this has not become a drinking question?

Answer 3

A SYSTEM?

Dunno that I'd call it a system.

Yes, there's such a thing as right and wrong. They aren't given us by a nonexistent being, but by our own nature as social and rational beings.

Right and wrong have to do with good and harm, and with suffering; since suffering sucks, it's wrong to increase the sum total of suckiness in the universe.

Answer 4

I believe they are defined by the concept of "doing unto others, as you would have done unto you."  The Bible, Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ten Commandments are just a form of etching it into stone.  The same way laws written, acknowledged and enforced by the government uphold the system of enslaving/controlling the general public.

There IS a right and wrong.  You don't have to be religious to understand that; you just have to be human and mortal.  You have to have emotions and feelings.  Everybody (no matter what race, nationality, creed) has the ability to feel cheated, lied to, robbed, etc.  When you make someone else feel that way, you have done something bad, and you should have the HUMANITY to accept that understand that society will not approve.

Answer 5

We're not without morals and a conscience ......we just don't believe in God.

Why is this so hard for some people to understand.....WOW!

Answer 6

Yes.  They are called laws.

I try and follow a simple rule, and treat people, and even other animals for that matter, the way I would like to be treated.

Answer 7

the only thing i listen to are the ten commandments dont steal or kill are the biggest. im not really sure that i would say athiest though i would like to belive in god its just hard to know if he is really there or not so i try to belive he is really there. it just that all this science stuff proves a lot about how we evolved but yah we had to start somewhere and that is what god did probably.

Answer 8

without God there is no morals

I am obvious not an Atheist

Simply because, without God there is no such thing as rite and wrong

:) I broke my record of 21 thumb downs

Answer 9

Morality is a product of evolution and reason.  No, it isn't absolute, but it can be objective (or at least reasonably close to objective for practical applications).

Relying on a deity for morality is moral subjectivism of the basest form.

Answer 10

uhh.. ethics?  there's no need to throw religion into every possible aspect of life.

Answer 11

you don't need religion or god to have good morals and to know right form wrong.  my morals are to be a good person and don't break the laws of man.  I don't need a church to tell me that.  

Answer 12

Of course we have morals and ethics. Why wouldn't we? Morals and ethics don't have anything to do with god or religion unless you are too blind to society's needs. I am good and kind and moral and ethical because it's the right thing for humans and for society not because I'll go to h**l if I'm not.

Answer 13

Yep.  Society and common sense.

Religions just like to claim the credit.

Answer 14

They are defined by reason and inherent human emotions.

Whether God exists or not, I am responsible for my actions.  Even better, I am accountable for my actions in THIS life.

Answer 15

I get my morals from the biblical god.  

Thus I can beat my slave and not be punished as long he recovers in a day or two.

Also, a young woman who is engaged to be married, if she is raped, during a trip to the city, her punishment is death.

Also, parents of a rebellious gluttonous child should bring him in and have  him executed.

Handicapped people should not approach the pulpit of the church or any holy area of a church or temple.

Would  you like chapter and verse for each of those?  There are hundreds of other such morals I've learned from the biblical god, by reading the Bible.

Answer 16

I don't believe in anything like the ten commandments if that's what you're asking, but I know right from wrong, I'm not a rapist or a serial killer...

Answer 17

Lol -

I think you'll find that the Greeks, who invented systems of morality, were generally atheists and certainly not part of the abrahamic tradition.

I think you will also find that many systems of ethics, in particular, Kanitan ethics (which I subscribe to) have absolutely nothing to do with God and more to do with recognition of the priceless dignity that we should give to all humans.

Finally, perhaps I could ask - if there was no God, then would you act ethically? or would you suddenly become a wild animal? Ironic, your fear of God makes you moral, an atheist is moral through reason. I can tell you who I would prefer to be around when the lights go out.  

Answer 18

My sense of morals is defined by what I think is right and wrong, and my own sense of morality. I am a good person by choice, and not because an ancient book is guilt tripping me into it.

Answer 19

Yes I do.  I have a set of standards that I follow in order to achieve my desired goals ( in general my continuing happiness).  Things that help me achieve these goals should be done (are right) and those that inhibit the the achievement should be avoided (are wrong).  These standards account not only for the physical consequences but also the psychological consequences.  For example, I do not want anyone imposing their will on my actions.  Thus there arises a psychological consequence  if I impose my will on someone else.

Specifically in response to the first responder, with god there is no right or wrong, only what god permits or forbids.

Answer 20

of course we do u dont have to believe in god to know right from wrong. and may i remind you people have killed people because god told them to *cough* bush *cough* soo ha!

Answer 21

Its not a matter of belief - I think that's where theists get of wrong.  Of course there is right and wrong.  Morals and ethics are evolutionarily in our genes, and of course heavily influenced by our environment.  We had to survive in our early hunter gatherer social groups through to where we are now.  Look up altruism - it's an interesting subject.

Morals are not defined except for what you are taught as a child through to adulthood - unless you take the commandments as the definition, but I can think of many many more items that I would include in a list of commandments - 10 is rather on the short side!

Answer 22

Morals? No I don't 'believe' in morals. I do know the difference of right and wrong. I try to be the best person I can be. I treat people with respect. I treat our earth with respect. I'm a good person. I just don't believe in god.

Answer 23

-sigh- Alright amigo....I only have two morals, two rules, that I follow:

Semper Fi - "Always faithful"

And "death before dishonor"

So far they've served me well, and probably always will.

Both happen to come from the USMC. Oorah

Answer 24

I think our respective societies have a lot to do with our perception of morality. I also think people have an innate sense of right and wrong. However, religion is the greatest detriment to morality in the history of the world.

Answer 25

Moral systems are based upon logic and empathy and are shaped by culture.

Answer 26

well duh we know right from wrong, just because we're atheist doesn't mean we're heartless murderers. We just don't have a big pretentious book that trys to tell us about a system of morals that are sometimes corrupt and outdated.

Answer 27

Society and our genes are the two biggest factors that define morals.

Answer 28

Of course they do, I mean otherwise every Atheist out there would be killing at random.  Oh if you wonder how they are defined for anyone actually it's a mix of what your parents/ teachers taught you as a child and what society tells you as an adult.  Think about it's true for just about everyone.

Answer 29

Check out all you can find about the academic philosophy-kind of ethics. Good solid logical reasoning.  

Answer 30

well it doesnt work that way. Atheist can be anything. so your asking a good question but you have to ask the specific atheist what is his or her belief system is. like myself, I'm a humanist. so then you can ask me what is the belief system of a humanist. well hope that helps. :)  

Answer 31

1. Yes, how could you think otherwise?

2. Yes, though I don't believe in many absolutes.

3. I possess reason and compassion. They are all I need to be moral. A good education and decent parents who help develop your sense of honor and personal responsibility are helpful too.