Atheist Dad’s blog

So, back in the summer, I had the occasion to spend the afternoon with my aunt.  She really is a nice enough lady, and I truly think she is a genuine person.  There are many stories I could tell here, and maybe some I will, but for now, we'll focus on the subject of the perceived notion that atheists have a broken Moral Compass.

I needed to go out to Tuscaloosa for orientation on campus, and she was nice enough to drive me out there.  My Aunt is sincerely one of the truest believers you will ever meet and I love her for it.  I marvel at her ability to see God's work in everything, when honestly, knowing everything she's been through I would have given God the finger long ago.

We talked about her husband who passed a few years back, politics, and inevitably, we talked about religion.  For some time, my wife and I have been struggling with how to talk to my Aunt about this aspect of our life and that is a different story for a different day.  

The subject of morality came up in this discussion and she said she believes that you cannot have morals and still be an atheist.  God put forth the rules (Moral Code) and if I do have morals, its because I was raised in the church and took those lessons from God and the teachings of Jesus and the prophets (New Band Name).  How can you argue that?  It is partially true.  I was raised in the chruch and attended regularly until I graduated from high school and I was very involved in church and other activities relating to my former Christian faith.  Was it true that any sense of ethics I have is due to a God I do not believe exists?

I told her it doesn't have to be that way.  I asked her about society and civilization prior to Moses taking the commandments from the Mount.  I asked her if she thought it was possible that people did live ethically and kindly with each other without God.  She replied that even those people most likely had a system based on the belief in God or Gods. 

The problem is -- I know to some degree she's right, but I also know that fundamentally she's wrong.  It is possible to live a wholly ethical life by following The Human Code, isn't it?  That is the question that comes up frequently when talking about atheism.  Many Christians simply do not believe it is possible to live an ethical life without God.  It seems rather absurd to me that seemingly intelligent and logical people would believe morality can only exist if a supernatural/devine entity exists to enforce the rules.

If  anyone is interested, I found this to be a good read.  It is from "10 Myths About Secular Humanists" (Link provided below)

If you believe the myth that you cannot have morality without religion and God, then you are forced to one of two conclusions. Either you can say humanists have no morals, or you can concede that they have a moral code but insist they must have gotten it from religion. We'll deal with these positions in turn. Let's start by explaining humanist ethics.

Secular humanists believe morality and meaning come from humanity and the natural world, not from God or the supernatural. It is our human values that give us rights, responsibilities, and dignity. We believe that morality should aim to bring out the best in people, so that all people can have the best in life. And morality must be based on our knowledge of human nature and the real world.

Humanist and religious morality share many basic principles because in fact both are underpinned by the fundamental human moral sense summarized in the Golden Rule: treat others with the same consideration as you would have them treat you. Humanists recognize that the common moral decencies - for example, people should not lie, steal, or kill; and they should be honest, generous, and cooperative - really are conducive to human welfare.

However, there are differences between humanist and religious moralities. Humanists realize that individuals alone cannot solve all our problems, but instead of turning to the supernatural, we believe that problems are solved by people working together, relying on understanding and creativity. That is why humanists are committed to promoting human values, human understanding, and human development. Humanists also emphasize the importance of self-determination - the right of individuals to control their own lives, so long as they do not harm others. Secular humanists, therefore, often promote causes where traditional religion obstructs the right to self-determination, for example, freedom of choice regarding sexual relationships, reproduction, and voluntary euthanasia.

Secular humanists disagree that, without God, life can have no meaning or purpose. We believe that people create their own meaning and purpose in life. The value and significance of life comes from how we live life, not from some supposed transcendent realm. Humanists believe the meaning of life is to live a life of meaning.

The moral differences between secular humanism and religion do not justify the allegation that secular humanist have no morals. This claim is not an argument, just an insult. It merely represents the human tendency to see one's opponents as amoral.

http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/cherry_18_1.01.html

What do you think?

First entries can always be sort of rough.  I have a thousand thoughts in my head as to what I want to discuss, argue or lament, but I have a simple idea for this site and against my natural tendencies to ramble, I'm seriously going to try to keep things simple.

The purpose of this little space is to discuss parenting issues when it comes to religion, or in the case of my wife and I, our non-religion.  It might surprise many of you to know that both of us are fairly well versed in many relgions.  For two people that do not believe in God, we sure do read about religion.  A LOT.  I would dare say, at any given time, you would find atleast 1 book on religion at our bedside.

Why?  Some may say that we are "searching."  That God is speaking to us and encouraging us to find him.  I think thats a little too supernatural for my tastes, but to each his own.  The simple fact of the matter is, is I believe that there are many good and bad things to be taken from religion or educating oneself about different religions.  I'm not sure my wife sees eye to eye with me on this issue, but I think in any teaching there is wisdom.

I'm sure I'll get more into the details about our day to day life and, oddly enough, the struggles we face as non-believers.  Believe it or not, we are your everyday, run of the mill neighbors, volunteers, mommies and daddies, friends and family.  I could be your son's baseball coach, or the guy that waves you through the four-way stop. 

You see, people are scared of atheists.  Many would say we are the real threat.  Not necessarily because of terror, but because they would have you believe we are a threat to the moral fabric of civilized society.  Obviously, I cannot disagree enough, and in my next entry, I'll discuss a conversation I had with my Aunt who believes that morality is linked to the belief / worship of God.