tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post1929112299803672840..comments2024-03-16T05:00:38.826-04:00Comments on Egnorance: Why don't atheists commit murder, if there's no accountability in the afterlife?mregnorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431770851694587832noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-26278100842839055772015-12-07T20:00:20.282-05:002015-12-07T20:00:20.282-05:00I'm an Atheist and a moral relativist. I don&#...I'm an Atheist and a moral relativist. I don't think murder is right because I don't believe it is right to kill another human. I don't need anyone to tell me so. I think your dad's question is incredibly intelligent in a purely hypothetical sense. He may know the answer already, but it's a great prompt for the leagues of people in the world who think Atheists just go around without any morals at all. If Atheists have no morals, what IS stopping us from murdering people? When you think about it, the only possible answer is morals, which discredits the argument that Atheists do not have morals.<br /><br />Thank you for writing this in such a concise manner. It's an important topic for anyone with an interest in morals or religion.Torinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-32899140120618525322015-11-15T13:04:57.413-05:002015-11-15T13:04:57.413-05:00Your comments also lack thought and they also prom...Your comments also lack thought and they also promote stupidity, so what was the point that you were trying to say here OTHER than the one that is on top of your head?jal11180https://www.blogger.com/profile/04501845442095125965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-24259332971411953892015-11-15T13:04:14.246-05:002015-11-15T13:04:14.246-05:00Pacifism brings out the most bloodshed out of any ...Pacifism brings out the most bloodshed out of any belief structure in the world, ironically, for no action to stop murders is just as bad as causing the murders outright, thus warfare and violence ARE necessary means to stop violence. This is why pacifists are either the first to die in zombie films, that is IF they even DO appear in them in the first place, or they simply do not exist in those films.jal11180https://www.blogger.com/profile/04501845442095125965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-7281802657994778072015-11-15T13:02:15.804-05:002015-11-15T13:02:15.804-05:00No. Also, as for those that claimed to be "C...No. Also, as for those that claimed to be "Christians" that did the deed, I can assure you that they are equally as much servants of Lucifer as the people that did all of the evil things under atheist/humanist governments according to the Holy Scriptures, so your comment is a failure, sir or madam.jal11180https://www.blogger.com/profile/04501845442095125965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-28788293018422013562015-11-15T13:00:29.718-05:002015-11-15T13:00:29.718-05:00Does that Jewish deed system also not underpin a l...Does that Jewish deed system also not underpin a lot of the justice system within Christianity as well, sir or madam?jal11180https://www.blogger.com/profile/04501845442095125965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-43685330510333985782015-07-16T08:12:32.689-04:002015-07-16T08:12:32.689-04:00In 1933, prior to the annexation of Austria into G...In 1933, prior to the annexation of Austria into Germany, the population of Germany was approximately 67% Protestant and 33% Catholic.[1] A census in May 1939, six years into the Nazi era[2] and incorporating the annexation of mostly Catholic Austria into Germany, indicates that 54% considered themselves Protestant (including non-denominational Christians), 40% Catholic, 3.5% self-identified as "gottgläubig" (lit. "believers in god", often described as predominately creationist and deistic[3]), and 1.5% as non-religious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-70685326935291207072015-02-12T16:43:17.231-05:002015-02-12T16:43:17.231-05:00I’m an atheist. Your dad’s question isn’t a though...I’m an atheist. Your dad’s question isn’t a thoughtful one, it’s a stupid one, and the answer to it should be obvious. If this is the only life we have, why would we destroy it by committing an atrocity such as murder? Even if we were guaranteed not to be caught and punished by law, our psychological being would be irreparably harmed unless we were sociopathic. <br /><br />On the contrary, it is religious fundamentalists who can find a way to justify their heinous acts with some type of moral righteousness, and the “get out of jail free card” offered to them by the prospect of an afterlife gives them the freedom to throw away their temporal existence.<br /><br />Furthermore, your implication that objective moral law can be derived from religion is ridiculous. There is nothing more subjective than the way religious leaders and their followers interpret their foundational texts. If anything, the religious fundamentalists of all faiths that make this world such an awful place are the most objective people within their respective faiths. Why? Because when you base your moral code on a literal (read: objective) interpretation of the bible or koran, you have no choice but to believe that people who do not follow this strict code are immoral and therefore deserving of punishment.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16648578224182384102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-78583395047582767932015-01-28T22:48:57.019-05:002015-01-28T22:48:57.019-05:00I am a pacifist and an atheist, and I think any fo...I am a pacifist and an atheist, and I think any form of killing another human is terribly wrong. It is absolutely disgusting to think someone would take a life in cold blood or at all. Violence is never the solid answer in solving some sort of disagreement. It's ridiculous that people kill others because of someones beliefs or opinions. Though I am so opposed to killing and murder, I believe abortion should be legal. I don't like to single out one group of people based on race, religion, sexuality, or gender and analyze their beliefs or opinions. Every person has their own beliefs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-17523723335773432682014-04-19T23:45:41.858-04:002014-04-19T23:45:41.858-04:00Ummm, can we stop including a communist totalitari...Ummm, can we stop including a communist totalitarian evil form of government which just happened to have an anti-religion bias in the same category as all athiests? I assume you are a person of faith; Christian? How many Christian governments and churches tortured, maimed, and killed heretics, "witches", gays, etc? Millions as well. They just happened to be "Christian". Does that represent all Christians? Not really. As an atheist, I sure can recognize that and make a fair assumption that not all Christians are in favor of murdering abortion doctors (even if they think abortion to be murder), so its not fair to paint all murders committed by atheist govts as representative of atheism as a philosophy. I guess some of you have never heard of prolife atheists? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-32681881598684531082013-09-04T18:45:23.254-04:002013-09-04T18:45:23.254-04:00evolution never happened evotard. atheist= humanis...evolution never happened evotard. atheist= humanist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-73189673821522977572012-11-01T14:44:28.440-04:002012-11-01T14:44:28.440-04:00 The reason behind the lack of murdering athei... The reason behind the lack of murdering atheists is plain and simple: We know it is wrong. We know that it would be very stupid to just kill someone for any reason at all. It is not a game of survival anymore and we are all civilized people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-85593360835836719472012-09-12T15:41:12.570-04:002012-09-12T15:41:12.570-04:00"state Atheism" being invariably violent..."state Atheism" being invariably violent is no more than any other "forced" belief system. Christianity only became less violent when religious tolerance was developed. What may be different is that religions have many internalized beliefs which are designed to enforce conformity (don't do that or you will go to hell), a "forced" atheism has none of that.<br /><br />I would contend that the well-known violent "atheist" states are actually Cults in their make-up, they invariably have a cult of personality, and a rigid doctrine that all people must adhere to. This makes them distinct from philosphical atheism or humanism. In fact, those states also tended to reject the free conduct of science that didn't fit the official doctrine, further paralleling religious conservatism. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-83862049415743594672012-02-16T06:12:42.638-05:002012-02-16T06:12:42.638-05:00You could just as easily ask "if Christians b...You could just as easily ask "if Christians believe they will have all sins forgiven by Jesus Christ, why wouldn't they violate any moral code they wanted to?" (It's not what you do, it's what you believe.) <br /><br />The Jewish belief system - which sensibly stresses deeds over creed - would seem to be much better as a deterrent to crime. <br /><br />Protestant beliefs have no accountability or justice; Anne Frank damned as a non-believer in Christ's divinity, Christian Nazis who gassed her forgiven and rewarded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-61969964352563586602011-07-31T19:31:58.742-04:002011-07-31T19:31:58.742-04:00a soul which through materialism we have no idea i...a soul which through materialism we have no idea if exists * so we just say it doesn't *.<br /><br />Nah the form in which a human being is doesn't matter... I think that was the point many people try to make when defending slaves, poor people, children, deficient people...<br /><br />hey ... what about animals... any live matters! that is the point that a lot of religions make not only Christianism.<br /><br />by the way ... no... no marality is firm. Never heard of millions of people we humans killed ??? where is this firm based on evolution morality ??? * by the way ... evolution can't evolve laws ... only potential to have ideas ... so deep down this whole just-so evolutionary physchology story doesn't make any sense! *Edwardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-36766402112600908402011-07-08T22:14:15.057-04:002011-07-08T22:14:15.057-04:00And here's the standard easy response to your ...And here's the standard easy response to your query on atheists: If the only reason Christians don't kill is fear of going to hell, then isn't that simply trying to avoid punishment, not a genuine moral strength? The atheist would then make a snide comment finding it interesting how the Christian commentator seems mystified that someone -wouldn't- start killing people if they knew they wouldn't be punished by god, and how that sounds suspiciously like a psychopath.<br /><br />Typically the atheist will then point out the centuries of Christian-sponsored violence, murder, and torture against both non-Christians and other Christian sects. Continuing his questioning, he'll wonder if Christianity is such a compelling moral guide, why is Christian European history just as filled with violence as any other non-Christian region?<br /><br />The atheist concludes that if atheists don't fear punishment in the afterlife, and yet continue to act morally, as they tend to do, that actually makes them a far more righteous person, who does good because it's good, rather than the constantly lurking threat of Godly wrath.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-91245793087834533812011-07-03T10:52:01.628-04:002011-07-03T10:52:01.628-04:00To answer the rather simplistic and, dare I say it...To answer the rather simplistic and, dare I say it, ignorant post title; atheists do not commit murder because we are moral. If we were not moral then, perhaps, a vindictive Torquemada in the sky would be necessary to keep us in check.<br /><br />Morals no more proceed from a supernatural source than babies, raindrops or surgeons.Thrutch Grenadinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06550266952374270820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-44504508376308650342011-07-01T19:04:34.152-04:002011-07-01T19:04:34.152-04:00CrusadeREX, words have meaning. The meaning of &qu...CrusadeREX, words have meaning. The meaning of "murder" is unlawful killing. If the author meant something else he shouldn't have used the word "murder". What other meaning does the word have that is relevant here? We're not talking about crows, after all.<br /><br />"So if we just make killing legal, as abortion has been made in many regions, you can do murder? No shame in the game"<br /><br />If it is legal it is not murder by definition. Again, words have meaning.<br /><br />"As for your comments on the Bible: You may want to brush up on which religious texts you quote and for what - of you don't want to come of as a semi-educated and cowardly bigot"<br /><br />I detect a complete lack of arguments refuting my claims. I wonder why...Magicthighshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09033533069813329577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-22191940978206815572011-07-01T15:34:06.009-04:002011-07-01T15:34:06.009-04:00Pepe,
Excellent comparison. I will have to borrow...Pepe, <br />Excellent comparison. I will have to borrow that on occasion! Cheers. <br /><br />Magicthighs,<br /> <br /><i>It makes no sense to say murder is objectively wrong, since a murder is an unlawful killing, making it inherently subjective (subject to the law of the land).</i><br /><br />Really? Dr Strangelove would be proud. <br />That is all that defines 'murder' to you? The question of where and how those laws came to be aside...I guess manslaughter, euthanasia and abortion must be 'murder' then too - depending on WHERE you are, right? maybe 'Murder' is only 'murder' if you get caught or the government says it 'wrong'. <br />Murder is just a word, not an act of evil? <br />So if we just make killing legal, as abortion has been made in many regions, you can do murder? No shame in the game. <br />No shame at all, it seems. <br />You have just confirmed every negative assumption one could make of Atheists/Materialists in your statement. <br />I am almost positive you CANNOT see that, but perhaps others will.<br />As for your comments on the Bible: You may want to brush up on which religious texts you quote and for what - of you don't want to come of as a semi-educated and cowardly bigot. <br />I am sure that is NOT what you intended with rather 1-D attempt at theology. <br />Comments like this remind me of what a professor at the RMC said once: "Atheism? Oh yes. I have heard of that. That is a kind of metaphysical OCD. It is best treated with a therapy called LIFE."<br />Also see the good doctor's posts on 'Epidemic of 'Prayer Virginity' sweeps nation'.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14739783974158130525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-45848386519266942492011-07-01T15:27:27.485-04:002011-07-01T15:27:27.485-04:00The OP claims:
"If atheism/mateialism is tru...The OP claims:<br /><br />"If atheism/mateialism is true, than the moral law is not objectively true. It's subjectively true"<br /><br />A prescriptive law is not "true" or "false". It is a command, not a statement.<br /><br />And why should the command of a single person be objectively valid, even if this person happens to be divine ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-57815610463228624222011-07-01T10:19:22.852-04:002011-07-01T10:19:22.852-04:00It makes no sense to say murder is objectively wro...It makes no sense to say murder is objectively wrong, since a murder is an unlawful killing, making it inherently subjective (subject to the law of the land).<br /><br />If you want to claim killing is objectively wrong that would mean the god of the bible, for instance, has committed many wrong acts, like wiping out the entire population of the earth save 8 people.Magicthighshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09033533069813329577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-61332389477193316622011-06-30T15:43:55.340-04:002011-06-30T15:43:55.340-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-17993085676294358462011-06-30T11:44:34.689-04:002011-06-30T11:44:34.689-04:00bachfiend says:
... for genetic reasons, based on ...bachfiend says:<br /><i>... for genetic reasons, based on variations in frequencies of unknown but potentially knowable variants of genes.</i><br />Perhaps I am missing something here, but were the genes planning on civilization? Are they somehow prescient? Do they seek long term goals OTHER than survival and procreation? If so, where and how do these tiny proteins get the IDEA. <br />Further: Why do we not see this pattern replicated on animal behaviours? Where are the nations of wolves, principalities of hedgehogs, and Empires of Chimpanzees? More importantly were are the fruits of the animal civilizations?<br />Also, from whence comes the tribe in the first place? <br />Nice apologia, but history begs to differ. <br />Moral codes and legal codes form civilization groups and cultures, not protein sequences. <br />What you have described is a need for military alliance with similar ideologies that form larger groups. You posit that perhaps someday this will result in world peace and that the 'unknown' genes (much like an unseen deity) will perhaps someday be 'knowable'. <br />Fair enough. But, until that prophesied moment you will just have to have faith in your promissory materialism. <br />For my own part, I will remain objective on morality and place my faith in GOODNESS and God; and I will let proteins be proteins.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14739783974158130525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-77296485253892437692011-06-30T07:36:39.728-04:002011-06-30T07:36:39.728-04:00As an atheist, I don't have any problem in sta...As an atheist, I don't have any problem in stating the evolution has caused humans not to kill members of their group, usually a tribe comprising no more than about 150 individuals, for genetic reasons, based on variations in frequencies of unknown but potentially knowable variants of genes. Humans without this genetic aversion to intragroup murder would cause the destruction of the group. Everyone outside the group being regarded as 'fair game'. With civilization, the idea of the size of the group has progressively increased, hopefully to include the entire human population for most individuals. I can well imagine that if civilization broke down, perhaps due to a global environmental disaster such as a global nuclear war, the size of the group inside which murder was discouraged would rapidly drop back to 150 or less, and it wouldn't matter whether they were theists or atheists, once it becomes a matter of survival.bachfiendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14752055891882312204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-21026429802267651112011-06-29T17:59:48.617-04:002011-06-29T17:59:48.617-04:001-Murder by an individual is reprehensible.
2-Murd...1-Murder by an individual is reprehensible.<br />2-Murder by a government is acceptable.<br />3-Murder by a society is recommendable.<br /><br />1=Jack the ripper.<br />2=Hitler's final solution.<br />3=The law permitting abortions.Pépéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00896283600100217146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3555199390227912207.post-43149397988984951242011-06-29T13:41:39.340-04:002011-06-29T13:41:39.340-04:00"So are atheists really willing to accept the..."So are atheists really willing to accept the logical conclusion of their belief: there is no objective moral law, that murder is not wrong in itself, but is merely wrong because we say so, and we could, at some point, say differently?"<br /><br />Yes.Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05630922828674287912noreply@blogger.com