How do agnostics live? (Introduction)

by dhw, Sunday, June 08, 2008, 07:57 (6010 days ago) @ Mark

Mark has argued that theists "believe there is an objective moral code", whereas an atheist may make up his own "without there being any authority outside himself which could make him think otherwise." - The argument that atheists can make up their own codes ignores the fact that atheists live in society, just like everyone else. They are not only subject to the laws of that society, but they are also subject to ethical codes which are generally recognized by that society. As an agnostic (but this goes for atheists too), I do not say to myself, "It's OK for me to lie, cheat, steal, kill, because there's no God to punish me." Humanistic values are based on respect for others. If a religious person behaves morally, I would hope that it is not solely through fear of God but also through love of his fellow humans, and that is absolutely not the prerogative of the religious. The authority outside atheists and agnostics is the wellbeing and judgment of one's fellow humans. - This is not in any way meant to denigrate the moral codes laid down by the great religions. But non-belief in God should not be taken to imply non-belief in those same moral codes, the majority of which offer us a sound basis for a smoothly functioning society. However, if those codes are not interpreted according to humanistic principles, you get atrocities committed in the name of God, reaching from the Crusades and the Inquisition right through to modern Islamic suicide bombers.