Why Be Good Without God?

It's short and simple.

For those of you that need an incentive to be good, what about the social contract? But still, why cant we be good for the principle of being good? Surely that's what 'goodness' is all about.

Credit to Dechha1981 for the paraphrased quote:
http://www.youtube.com/user/dechha1981

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Morality
• Good
• Evil
• God
• Religion

[gmscorpio111691]

I agree with you. However, being a christian, I do not do good works or behave morally just because I want to avoid punishment or earn a reward. I want to do things to help people because people need help. In addition, I'm not fake. Based on your perception of religious people that you described, I did not know that I fit into that category. Just being honest about myself. I can not speak for everyone else because I do not know their motives.

[Clutchology]

@gmscorpio111691 This video was directed towards religious people who argue that there's no point in atheists or agnostics being good because they believe they wont be spiritually rewarded or punished.

I hope that religious people, such as yourself, that engage in good deeds for more genuine humanistic reasons can also understand why a non-believer would be good to others as well. If you do, then no, you don't fit into this category of religious person :-)

[tipsband004]

If there is no absolute good and bad than WHO decides what is moral? If it is the individual, what would stop someone from saying a certain race of people was bad for humanity and that we should exterminate them all? Furthermore, what kind of person would do everything they could to stop such a person? Would it be someone who believes moral truth is relative? OR would it be someone who believes that God came in the flesh and died for you and I (HIS SINFUL ENEMIES) so we could go to heaven.

[Clutchology]

From what I've seen, it is those that believe in absolute morality that often create and propagate the conflicts so many of us despise.

It tends to create a mentality in which you can't be reasoned with. You're right. They're wrong. End of story. It eliminates the need for strong justifications and creates a demonisation of the opposition.

Personally I think even if there is an absolute morality we should approach it psychologically and pragmatically as if it were relative.

[tipsband004]

PS (even if you are actually saying that we can't know if morality is absolute or not, that of course is still a presupposition meaning the antithesis that morality is absolute and we can know it is wrong)

[Clutchology]

You implied that those who believe in absolute morality are better people and strive more to make the world better. I would disagree with that. This has nothing to do with presuppositions. Of course we all suppose we are correct in our views. What I am talking about is how we approach those whose opinions differ.

[Clutchology]

There is a difference here. My view that morality is relative and another's that is absolute can easily be discussed, no harm done. Someone who believes they are good on absolute moral grounds, however, will rarely be willing to compromise with those who they feel are on absolute evil grounds. Why would they compromise? This in turn tends to create the conflict and the 'evil' they oppose.

The problem is that those who believe in absolutism often believe they KNOW that morality. That kills talk.

[Ramshobraja]

Religion replaces our innate morality. For most hardcore religious individuals, their moral compass is off base. I say this from experience with several religious organizations.

[MentalAtheist]

Morality is nothing more then then a compromise, or an understanding so organizems can co-exist in an environment. If a person is alone on an Island, morality would be little to no use.

What that Agreement for morals is can change depending on the Organizem or the environment. People decide there own morality and join environment that share it.

Thats why there are many type of society. That is why we have personal morals and sociel morals. And why there is no absolote morality.

[NaturalSelection101]

good vid mate....respect!

Altruism needs no religious dogma

[sweetchild9513]

What annoys me is the Christians who try to force you into their way of believing saying that if you do not become a Christian, you will go to hell. I think it's narrow minded to believe the way you believe is the only right way. For one person's truth is not another person's truth. And truth isn't what's popular or most regarded, I think it's what each individual believes in.

[gmscorpio111691]

@Clutchology I understand, thanks for clarifying that. I do understand that one does not need to be religious in order to genuinely do good works for people out of the goodness of ones heart. I admit I did think that at one time. That was wrong what I thought. However, when I commented I was not thinking that way.

[FarfettilLejl]

You're so fit I couldn't focus on what you were saying :)

[mangalamata]

very true indeed!

what you have described here is material religion and material life- - real religion means true love and devotion for God- its not a business deal or something that you do out of fear- real love dosn't expect a reward- most religions now a day don't teach one how to attain true love and devotion for God and in turn for all of God's creations- It would take too many words to tell here in this little space so check out purebhakti

[lovelychances]

it is not true okay..... I believes that one great Allah he who created every creature< so the atheists are completely wrong

[julzabro]

Well said! Ur just so smart! ;)

[satan1st666]

A group of evenly mixed-sex people dropped on a deserted island are going to discover quite quickly that certain things cannot be allowed if they are to survive - murder, rape, and stealing - all 3 would bring about retaliation. I suspect our ancient ancestors deduced the same through experience. They also learned that coveting, lusting, etc. could lead to 1 of the 3, and realized the consequences. That does not mean that everyone agreed or followed these 'morals' - no different than today.