Where do atheists get their morals from?

[Gups]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Seiously? You think charity and love for children were Christian inventions?

[Viking]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Holy shit, I didn't know that Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc. were also almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

[Brazen]

The same we we learn everything, by observing the microcosm of society that immediately surrounds us and applying the learnt response. In this case that would be being rewarded for behaving in a way considered "good" by our nearest and dearest and assuming the same applied to greater society. As we grow we realise the "reward" may not come immediately, or at all in some interactions,  but on the whole what goes around comes around. "Do unto others" and all that. Oh wait, that's the Bible

[Viking]

At some level religion and political ideology are the same.  Look at Communism, or Libertarianism as examples.

I'll agree that dogmas of all kinds render the adherent irrational and illogical. I must, however, insist that you phrase it "religion and some political ideologies". The liberalism of Mill and conservatism of Burke are ideologies; they are not, however, "the same" as religion, communism or libertarianism.

[Viking]

The same we we learn everything, by observing the microcosm of society that immediately surrounds us and applying the learnt response. In this case that would be being rewarded for behaving in a way considered "good" by our nearest and dearest and assuming the same applied to greater society. As we grow we realise the "reward" may not come immediately, or at all in some interactions,  but on the whole what goes around comes around. "Do unto others" and all that. Oh wait, that's the Bible

I'm sure that Confusius (~500 BC) and Rabbi Hillel (~100 BC) got that idea from Jesus as well? iirc it's in the Upanishads as well. If anything christian morality is claiming that it invented our evolved innate morality.

[Solmyr]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Holy shit, I didn't know that Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc. were also almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

What the fuck does that have to do with anything said above? Are you saying that modern western morals are based on Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc.? Enlightenment didn't just spring up out of nothingness; western culture had been thoroughly permeated by centuries of Christian ideas.

[Neil]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Holy shit, I didn't know that Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc. were also almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Beat that strawman!

[Viking]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Holy shit, I didn't know that Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc. were also almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

What the fuck does that have to do with anything said above? Are you saying that modern western morals are based on Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc.? Enlightenment didn't just spring up out of nothingness; western culture had been thoroughly permeated by centuries of Christian ideas.

I'm saying that these ideas are not christian ideas, these are the universal values that we share as humans which religions appropriate and claim as their own. The thing is that all religions preach compassion, cherishing and charity to the in-group. These are not christian ideas, they are as old as human society itself. They are in all likelihood requirements for the establishment of society at all.

[Solmyr]

Yeah, but what I'm saying is that those ideas came to us via Christianity first and foremost. Having the Enlightenment doesn't change that. And I'm saying that as a secularist agnostic.

[Razgovory]

Perhaps if Hitchens was less concerned about religion poisoning anything and more concerned with tobacco poisoning, him he might still be alive.

You mentioned "memes" as a source of morality.  Perhaps you'd like to show us the proof that memes actually exist?

Proselytizing religions are memes. Perhaps you'd like to show us some proof that you understand the word?

I asked first.  Can you give evidence that memes exist?  I wouldn't be able to understand something that doesn't exist now would I?

[Razgovory]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Holy shit, I didn't know that Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc. were also almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Really?  How strong is your understanding of the religious texts of Zoroastrianism?

[Razgovory]

The funny thing is though, the modern, western morals are almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

Give some examples.

compassion for the poor and weak, the cherishing of children, charity to the poor etc.

Holy shit, I didn't know that Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc. were also almost entirely based on Christian teachings.

What the fuck does that have to do with anything said above? Are you saying that modern western morals are based on Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism etc.etc.? Enlightenment didn't just spring up out of nothingness; western culture had been thoroughly permeated by centuries of Christian ideas.

I'm saying that these ideas are not christian ideas, these are the universal values that we share as humans which religions appropriate and claim as their own. The thing is that all religions preach compassion, cherishing and charity to the in-group. These are not christian ideas, they are as old as human society itself. They are in all likelihood requirements for the establishment of society at all.

So if I find one religion that doesn't preach compassion then you'll concede your point?

[Faeelin]

I stole them.

[Gups]

I'm saying that these ideas are not christian ideas, these are the universal values that we share as humans which religions appropriate and claim as their own. The thing is that all religions preach compassion, cherishing and charity to the in-group. These are not christian ideas, they are as old as human society itself. They are in all likelihood requirements for the establishment of society at all.

So if I find one religion that doesn't preach compassion then you'll concede your point?

If anyone can find one religion that does, or one pre-Christian society that does, you will concede yours?

[Neil]

I'm saying that these ideas are not christian ideas, these are the universal values that we share as humans which religions appropriate and claim as their own. The thing is that all religions preach compassion, cherishing and charity to the in-group. These are not christian ideas, they are as old as human society itself. They are in all likelihood requirements for the establishment of society at all.

Universal values?  That's a rather bold statement, given that you're talking about a whole bunch of religions that are interrelated.  Not a strong argument.