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Where do atheists get their morals from?

Started by Viking, August 01, 2012, 02:22:56 AM

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Gups

Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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

Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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.
First Maxim - "There are only two amounts, too few and enough."
First Corollary - "You cannot have too many soldiers, only too few supplies."
Second Maxim - "Be willing to exchange a bad idea for a good one."
Second Corollary - "You can only be wrong or agree with me."

A terrorist which starts a slaughter quoting Locke, Burke and Mill has completely missed the point.
The fact remains that the only person or group to applaud the Norway massacre are random Islamists.

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 :P

Viking

Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on August 01, 2012, 07:10:24 AM
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.
First Maxim - "There are only two amounts, too few and enough."
First Corollary - "You cannot have too many soldiers, only too few supplies."
Second Maxim - "Be willing to exchange a bad idea for a good one."
Second Corollary - "You can only be wrong or agree with me."

A terrorist which starts a slaughter quoting Locke, Burke and Mill has completely missed the point.
The fact remains that the only person or group to applaud the Norway massacre are random Islamists.

Viking

Quote from: Brazen on August 01, 2012, 07:24:47 AM
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 :P

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.
First Maxim - "There are only two amounts, too few and enough."
First Corollary - "You cannot have too many soldiers, only too few supplies."
Second Maxim - "Be willing to exchange a bad idea for a good one."
Second Corollary - "You can only be wrong or agree with me."

A terrorist which starts a slaughter quoting Locke, Burke and Mill has completely missed the point.
The fact remains that the only person or group to applaud the Norway massacre are random Islamists.

Solmyr

Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:22:58 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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

Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:22:58 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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!
I do not hate you, nor do I love you, but you are made out of atoms which I can use for something else.

Viking

Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 07:30:26 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:22:58 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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.
First Maxim - "There are only two amounts, too few and enough."
First Corollary - "You cannot have too many soldiers, only too few supplies."
Second Maxim - "Be willing to exchange a bad idea for a good one."
Second Corollary - "You can only be wrong or agree with me."

A terrorist which starts a slaughter quoting Locke, Burke and Mill has completely missed the point.
The fact remains that the only person or group to applaud the Norway massacre are random Islamists.

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. :P

Razgovory

Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:21:23 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:52:54 AM
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" :bleeding: 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?
I've given it serious thought. I must scorn the ways of my family, and seek a Japanese woman to yield me my progeny. He shall live in the lands of the east, and be well tutored in his sacred trust to weave the best traditions of Japan and the Sacred South together, until such time as he (or, indeed his house, which will periodically require infusion of both Southern and Japanese bloodlines of note) can deliver to the South it's independence, either in this world or in space.  -Lettow April of 2011

Raz is right. -MadImmortalMan March of 2017

Razgovory

Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:22:58 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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?
I've given it serious thought. I must scorn the ways of my family, and seek a Japanese woman to yield me my progeny. He shall live in the lands of the east, and be well tutored in his sacred trust to weave the best traditions of Japan and the Sacred South together, until such time as he (or, indeed his house, which will periodically require infusion of both Southern and Japanese bloodlines of note) can deliver to the South it's independence, either in this world or in space.  -Lettow April of 2011

Raz is right. -MadImmortalMan March of 2017

Razgovory

Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:39:58 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 07:30:26 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:22:58 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 06:57:28 AM
Quote from: Gups on August 01, 2012, 06:50:45 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on August 01, 2012, 05:15:12 AM
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?
I've given it serious thought. I must scorn the ways of my family, and seek a Japanese woman to yield me my progeny. He shall live in the lands of the east, and be well tutored in his sacred trust to weave the best traditions of Japan and the Sacred South together, until such time as he (or, indeed his house, which will periodically require infusion of both Southern and Japanese bloodlines of note) can deliver to the South it's independence, either in this world or in space.  -Lettow April of 2011

Raz is right. -MadImmortalMan March of 2017


Gups

Quote from: Razgovory on August 01, 2012, 07:44:31 AM
Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:39:58 AM


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

Quote from: Viking on August 01, 2012, 07:39:58 AM
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.
I do not hate you, nor do I love you, but you are made out of atoms which I can use for something else.