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No it doesn't. What is moral is defined by us. Yes people can choose to be immoral but still most choose to be good or at least to try to be good. this same choice exists even if there were absolute morals which seems to me to make the need for objective morality irrelevant as it changes nothing about how people act.
Give us an example of any religion that is true. It's certainly not Chriostianity. No religion has ever demonstrated any god exists, so right away they make fantastic claims that can't be accepted as true by rational minds.
Democrats are not communists. And "leftists" are not liberals. You using these words exposes your far right wing disinformation. If you want to be taken seriously, be accurate, be truthful.
The fact is that the Bible is vague, and so poorly written that believers can interpret it any way they want. That's how the world ended up with Christians who burn people alive for witchcraft. And trade in slavery. And can commit the Holocaust. And can spread the fraud of creationism. And vote for Trump. These examples show the corruption of Christianity and how it doesn't serve humanity in the context of what Jesus taught. In essence Christianity can't make bad people good.
It didn't work on those Christians who committed the Holocaust. So what is the point of the Bible and Christianity if it isn't effective? This thread os about whether atheists can be moral, and the evidence is that they can. But it's also clear that religion doesn't make people good. So in essence all we have to do is look at individual character and action. Being an atheist or Christian is irrelevant. So quoting the Bible means nothing. It can actually illustrate how bad a Christian is when they condemn others with the text, and claim their interpretation has an authority it doesn't have.
Because there is political conservatism. Reagan was successful in mingling the evangelicals (notoriously conservative) with republican politics (which had been fairly moderate up until then). Remember the SCOTUS of the 70's was largely republican and valued broad rights, which is why they ruled in favor of Roe v Wade. Conservatives at the time valued women's rights and abortion was considered a right. It's been the influence of the religious extremists that have created the far right and it's political power. There are some atheists who are far right conservtives, and surely a few evangelicals who still have some craps of morals left who won't vote for Trump and MAGA. These two exceptions are a very rare category.
Climate change denialism is another issue that conservatives have created, and evangelicals have gone along with. Look at what you say here, it illustrates that far right politics has influenced you with disinformation. And aren't you a creationist? When Christians deny science it illustrates the negative influence of conservatism in American society. Evem when the well educated point this out Christians aren't embarrassed, they are defiant and revel in their ignorance.
I accept what experts in various areas of science report and advise. The data is showing a rapit heating up of the planet, and the predictions of more severe weather is happening NOW. Insurance companies are paying out more and more in claims and they are raising the rates of all of us. We know the earth's climate changes over time, but never has it changed as FAST as it has since the industrial revolution. I guess you work hard every day to deny the extreme heat that has affected the whole planet. You need to ignore the increasing number of tropical storms and severe weather that is hitting many places in the world. The Atlantic has had two hurricanes in the last two weeks. Did you even know this? Ernesto just hit puerto Rico. Last week a hurricane hit Florida and the Carolinas. It's going to get worse due to the rising heat in the oceans.
It's a stupid concept, and as irrational and absurd as the Jesus myth. Look at the hundreds of times Christians have predicted the End Times.
Why not think for yourself? Atheists can. What would prevent you from owning slaves if other Baptists around you owned them and justified with the Bible? What would prevent you from being a Lutheran and helping round up Jews in 1940's Germany when others around you wee doing it too? That is how followers behave. The Bible gives followers a reason to be immoral.
Yet we don't see much Jesus in the beliefs and actions of Christians.
And what does this mean, in reality? Do you know the truth? How do you test your beliefs if you've already decided you have the truth?
How are you different? Because you believe you have the truth? So do Muslims. So do Mormons, and JW's. The KKK, a Christian organization, thinks they are correct.
God wrote in the Bible "not to suffer witches" and Christians killed about 30,000 people in the 17th century. So you must belkieve it's OK to torture and execute witches, yes? God gave rules about how to manage slaves, so American Baptists knew they could own slaves. So I take it you agree that God said slavery is OK as long as you follow his rules?
Yes being material and animalistic in nature makes us inherently immoral
No, morals and ethics are the result of the social evolution required for the survival of the human family and tribe. Without morals and ethics humanity could not survive as a species. This is true of all higher primates, ie Great Apes, have simple forms of morals and ethics. needed to survive.
Probably not totally defined by us, morals and ethics evolved as human nature to ensure our survival as a species.
This indicates that there is always some higher source for morality and that it is not evolved.
Interestingly I don't think my morals are programmed by culture.
And when it is defined by people, it can be almost anything, like for example killing Jews. From Nazi point of view a morally good Nazi did so diligently.
Why do you believe so? I have not seen any good reason to believe that.
How do you know it is not true?
I don't think it is meaningful/useful to prove God exists. I believe God exists, because I don't think Bible or life would exist without Him.
They seem to act and speak like communists.
Only if they ignore vast part of it. Anything can be interpreted like that, if read like that way.
If the people would read your text the same ways as they read the Bible, also your words "burn people alive for witchcraft" could be used to burn witches as that is what you said. Very evil way to read.
Fraud?
Why not, are they not living in a democracy?
What do you mean with "effective"? Should Bible force everyone to love their neighbor as themselves?
I think everyone can be, many just are not.
When you do so?
Should men also have the right to kill their babies?
Why do you think America should not be great again?
I think it is not wise to deny that climate has always changed. But, it is also not wise to think buying more electric cars and giving more money and power for the politicians would change it. The whole climate change hysteria is evil scam, apparently formed by car industry to sell more products.
Perhaps you should study how the data is collected.
Sorry, I don't believe that.
I don't think there is extreme heat that has not happened many times before modern age. And I am sure that buying more electric cars will not have any positive effect on that or on nature. But, make no mistake, I appreciate if people take care of nature, even without end time prophesies about climate doom. It is wise to take care of nature, plant trees and not buy a new car, even if the politicians are desperate to sell them for everyone.
I don't think it is unusual. And there can be many reasons for that. If there has been warmer now than in previous years, it is most likely because sun has been more active, which is shown for example from more common auroras. It is actually fascinating that weather and temperatures can be predicted quite well from the activity of sun. Usually after we know there has been more activity, weather will be warmer after that. And on the other hand, when there is less activity, weather is cooler. I think it is stupid to think it has much to do with CO2. The reason why CO2 is picked as the problem is that it is nice way for governments to tax people.
Reminds me of climate prophets who have even worse track record.
Firstly, I think it is possible only if the person voluntarily wants to be slave, if we go by what is said in the Bible. And secondly, I don't want to have a slave. And, if I would want to have a slave, I would do the same as politicians and make people just pay taxes. That way I would avoid the responsibilities that owner has, but would get the benefits of the work of the slaves.
For example the words in the Bible.
Only if they ignore most of what is said in the book
And that is sad. And also I think that is the one good point atheists bring up.
Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Why do you think Bible can be shortened to one line? Don't you think the whole book should be read before acting?
So, they think they are Jews? If not, why do they think they have the rights of Jews?
As long as you follow all God's rules, especially these:
Sorry, I don't believe that. For example because when morals are not taught, people seem to revert to non moral state.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -- Mahatma Gandhi.Give us an example of any religion that is true. It's certainly not Chriostianity. No religion has ever demonstrated any god exists, so right away they make fantastic claims that can't be accepted as true by rational minds.
Democrats are not communists. And "leftists" are not liberals. You using these words exposes your far right wing disinformation. If you want to be taken seriously, be accurate, be truthful.
The fact is that the Bible is vague, and so poorly written that believers can interpret it any way they want. That's how the world ended up with Christians who burn people alive for witchcraft. And trade in slavery. And can commit the Holocaust. And can spread the fraud of creationism. And vote for Trump. These examples show the corruption of Christianity and how it doesn't serve humanity in the context of what Jesus taught. In essence Christianity can't make bad people good.
It didn't work on those Christians who committed the Holocaust. So what is the point of the Bible and Christianity if it isn't effective? This thread os about whether atheists can be moral, and the evidence is that they can. But it's also clear that religion doesn't make people good. So in essence all we have to do is look at individual character and action. Being an atheist or Christian is irrelevant. So quoting the Bible means nothing. It can actually illustrate how bad a Christian is when they condemn others with the text, and claim their interpretation has an authority it doesn't have.
Because there is political conservatism. Reagan was successful in mingling the evangelicals (notoriously conservative) with republican politics (which had been fairly moderate up until then). Remember the SCOTUS of the 70's was largely republican and valued broad rights, which is why they ruled in favor of Roe v Wade. Conservatives at the time valued women's rights and abortion was considered a right. It's been the influence of the religious extremists that have created the far right and it's political power. There are some atheists who are far right conservtives, and surely a few evangelicals who still have some craps of morals left who won't vote for Trump and MAGA. These two exceptions are a very rare category.
Climate change denialism is another issue that conservatives have created, and evangelicals have gone along with. Look at what you say here, it illustrates that far right politics has influenced you with disinformation. And aren't you a creationist? When Christians deny science it illustrates the negative influence of conservatism in American society. Evem when the well educated point this out Christians aren't embarrassed, they are defiant and revel in their ignorance.
I accept what experts in various areas of science report and advise. The data is showing a rapit heating up of the planet, and the predictions of more severe weather is happening NOW. Insurance companies are paying out more and more in claims and they are raising the rates of all of us. We know the earth's climate changes over time, but never has it changed as FAST as it has since the industrial revolution. I guess you work hard every day to deny the extreme heat that has affected the whole planet. You need to ignore the increasing number of tropical storms and severe weather that is hitting many places in the world. The Atlantic has had two hurricanes in the last two weeks. Did you even know this? Ernesto just hit puerto Rico. Last week a hurricane hit Florida and the Carolinas. It's going to get worse due to the rising heat in the oceans.
It's a stupid concept, and as irrational and absurd as the Jesus myth. Look at the hundreds of times Christians have predicted the End Times.
List of dates predicted for apocalyptic events - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Predictions and claims for the Second Coming - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Thios is Christianity at work. It can't be taken seriously. It illustrates how so many are desperate for meaning in their lives and attach their egos to religious dogma, especially Bad News. The human brain evolved from primal roots, and our species is still very fearful. We want emotional; security and answers. Even though religions are not factual they are used by undisciplined minds for security. This is why I don't like children being indoctrinated in religion, and should be taught memntal fitness, critical thinking skill, and an appreciation for science. We need thinkers going into the future, not believers.
Why not think for yourself? Atheists can. What would prevent you from owning slaves if other Baptists around you owned them and justified with the Bible? What would prevent you from being a Lutheran and helping round up Jews in 1940's Germany when others around you wee doing it too? That is how followers behave. The Bible gives followers a reason to be immoral.
Yet we don't see much Jesus in the beliefs and actions of Christians.
And what does this mean, in reality? Do you know the truth? How do you test your beliefs if you've already decided you have the truth?
But when natural, pro-social behavior is culturally "enhanced" things seem to go South pretty frequently. People override their natural altruism and coöperation with self-serving rationalizations based on their religious doctrine.
If that were the case then why did the Nazi's work so hard to hide the holocausts from the rest of the world? It would seem that if they really thought they were being normal they would have ben very open about the huge amount of "good" they were doing.
You've never considered natural selection?
Communists are always defenders of the social status quo with a particular dislike of minorities. Sort of the opposite of the democrats there.
When are morals not taught?