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I'm An Atheist Who Follows the Golden Rule

R

RamaRaksha

*banned*
PackJason said:
Does it then follow that a person doesn't need a religion to be a good person? If yes, then why is there such a misconception that atheists aren't trustworthy?

Poll after poll in The United States show that the general public trusts atheists less than any other group of people.
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It is the victors that write history books - same way theists dominate the population - they are giving themselves a pat on the back even though there is no evidence - in fact the vast majority of mass murders, slavery, colonization and looting has been done by religious people

Religious people are the most immoral people in this world
 
R

RamaRaksha

*banned*
PackJason said:
Is that irony?
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Your question is a sad statement - religious people have dumped the message and latched on to the messenger and that is what you are also reflecting even though you call yourself an atheist - you still have some religion in you

Jesus taught love - it is not confined to christians, the Buddha's message was not confined to his followers, Rama said Tell the Truth, be true to your love, do the right thing - these are universal values. A follower of Rama is not one who calls himself Hindu, but a person who tells the Truth, does the right thing - doesn't matter whether one is born in Saudi Arabia or Serbia or is an Atheist

Buddhists say if you meet the Buddha on the road, you must kill him. The stress should be on values that are taught, not on the messenger

You can admire Einstein or Freud while still disagreeing with them - why we change our thinking when it comes to religion is a mystery
 
psychoslice

psychoslice

Veteran Member
Goodness comes from the heart, not a religion or some scripture, that's a belief in being good, not a natural inner feeling of simply wanting to be good.
 
LionDog1

LionDog1

Member
That is good you follow the Golden Rule as an Atheist, you receive the reward of an Atheist who follows the Golden Rule, Kudos. Christians who follow the Golden Rule receive the rewards of a Christian who follows the Golden Rule. Mashed Peas and Potatoes. While they are both Mashed they are still Peas and Potatoes.
 
F

Frank Merton

Active Member
The Golden Rule has problems. If I am to do to others as I would have them do to me, and I were a defendant in a criminal trial, I would have the jurors aquit me, so as a juryman I am bound to acquit, regardless of the evidence. I suppose this can be rationalized some way, but a better rule is needed.

My ethics comes in three parts.

First, try to maximize good and minimize harm (standard utilitarianism).

Second, never use a sentient being (which for now we can assume includes all people) as an object to an end (Kant).

Third, be mindfully (not foolishly) compassionate (this is something of a tie breaker and is of course Buddhist).

The thing is there are no absolutes or certainties in this world, so one can only do the best we can. Having these rules in the background can only help us do the right thing, not guarantee it. All our acts may have consequences we never dreamed of, and all acts have both good and bad associated with them (at least all acts of moral significance).
 
Mackerni

Mackerni

Libertarian Unitarian
I don't like the Golden Rule. It allows you to treat others like crap if you prefer to treat yourself that way too. I treat myself pretty bad besides my necessities and entertainment. Does that mean I have the right to treat other people bad too? I think not!
 
rusra02

rusra02

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Frank Merton said:
Because I don't think there is any such thing as a god. To explain my reasons would take more space than I have, so just say it has to do with suffering and problems with the idea of infinity.
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OK, thanks. I find many atheists have found no satisfactory explanation for why God allows suffering.
 
Demonslayer

Demonslayer

Well-Known Member
rusra02 said:
But why don't you believe? What convinces you God does not exist? That was my question.
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I'm also one of those damn dirty atheists, and my answer would be a little different. The main reason is the impossibility of things people claim about God. Like that he is omniscient, has a plan for us all, AND answers prayers. You'd be surprised how many people believe these three things without recognizing the logical fallacy that makes this impossible, even for a God.

Other than that, it's just because our knowledge has advanced as a species to the point where we don't need Gods, demons and devils to explain things anymore. That was fine for people 1000 years ago.
 
Demonslayer

Demonslayer

Well-Known Member
rusra02 said:
OK, thanks. I find many atheists have found no satisfactory explanation for why God allows suffering.
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If it's the God of the Christian Bible we're talking about, there is no wonder at all that He allows suffering. He's one of the cruelest ******** the galaxy has ever known, and that includes Darth Vader and Khan Noonien Singh.

I mean he created mankind and then drowned nearly all of them to death, women, children, everyone. He tortured the heck out of poor Job, just on a whim while gambling with the devil. Why would Bible God allow suffering...He IS suffering. I mean in Jeremiah 19 God makes people eat their own children. I'm surprised under this God there isn't MORE suffering to be honest.
 
rusra02

rusra02

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Demonslayer said:
I'm also one of those damn dirty atheists, and my answer would be a little different. The main reason is the impossibility of things people claim about God. Like that he is omniscient, has a plan for us all, AND answers prayers. You'd be surprised how many people believe these three things without recognizing the logical fallacy that makes this impossible, even for a God.

Other than that, it's just because our knowledge has advanced as a species to the point where we don't need Gods, demons and devils to explain things anymore. That was fine for people 1000 years ago.
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There are people with perfect memories who can recall events that occurred decades ago. That they have this ability does not force them to use it all the time. I believe it is similar with God's ability to foreknow the future. He controls that ability and may choose not to foreknow everything. I do not believe God has a plan for each person or that he decides in advance what becomes of each one of us. So I think God can answer prayers according to his will. Finally, despite scientific advances, mankind seems to be spiraling downward rather than advancing. The fundamental questions of life remain unanswered by science.
 
PackJason

PackJason

I make up facts.
rusra02 said:
But why don't you believe? What convinces you God does not exist? That was my question.
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It's not about being convinced that a god doesn't exist, it's just that I don't see a reason or a need to believe in a god or gods.

I've asked this question before, but why should I believe in a god? I can't think of a reason.
 
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