Do atheists believe in objective morality?

[lhermann3]

What difference have you experienced?

I feel a sense of peace and calm that pervades my mentality. Before I was "saved" I was full of anger, jealousy, contempt, and while I'm still human and experience these emotions it's far easier to let them go with the belief of a God, higher purpose, divine will or whatever you would call it.

It's like a constant meditation, and the less I engage in my faith the more difficult it is to feel that peace.

 

[sandwiches]

I feel a sense of peace and calm that pervades my mentality. Before I was "saved" I was full of anger, jealousy, contempt, and while I'm still human and experience these emotions it's far easier to let them go with the belief of a God, higher purpose, divine will or whatever you would call it.

It's like a constant meditation, and the less I engage in my faith the more difficult it is to feel that peace.

I'm glad to hear you've had such positive experience in your religion! =)

I wonder if a belief in a God could have a measurable effect in our brains and emotions. I'll have to look this up as I'm sure there's probably been some studies on this matter.

Now more, interesting to me would be to see about a study where different beliefs can affect our feelings in a similar manner. For instance, could a person who believes in the Abrahamic God have the same measurable reaction as someone who believes in Shiva or Vishnu.

 

[GangstaRap(ture)]

I was hoping he could tell us where he bought his amulets of Darwin.

I was hoping I could talk to some Christians. Know where I can find some : P

Srsly, lay off. I'm here for frank, mature, and intelligent discussion. I chose that as an avatar because I have a sense of humor, I was hoping it would be disarming. Mission accomplished...

 

[lhermann3]

I'm glad to hear you've had such positive experience in your religion! =)

I wonder if a belief in a God could have a measurable effect in our brains and emotions. I'll have to look this up as I'm sure there's probably been some studies on this matter.

Now more, interesting to me would be to see about a study where different beliefs can affect our feelings in a similar manner. For instance, could a person who believes in the Abrahamic God have the same measurable reaction as someone who believes in Shiva or Vishnu.

That would be an interesting study, especially as to how it correlates to the different belief structures.

I do think that it isn't strictly a belief in God that has the effect. For a while I was angry at God, and fell back into my old way of life. Lust, envy, anger etc were all a part of my lifestyle. I still believed, I just believed that He was letting me be miserable. I eventually started challenging Him and mocking Him despite the fact that I still believed He existed. I would describe it as God "thumping me on the head" and telling me to get my act together, but after a moment of immense heartache, loneliness, and questioning I began to feel that peace again.

 

[tanzanos]

Suicide is murder of oneself!

Yes but according to you it is not a sin since one has no interaction with others.

 

[Ayersy]

I'm glad to hear you've had such positive experience in your religion! =)

I wonder if a belief in a God could have a measurable effect in our brains and emotions. I'll have to look this up as I'm sure there's probably been some studies on this matter.

Now more, interesting to me would be to see about a study where different beliefs can affect our feelings in a similar manner. For instance, could a person who believes in the Abrahamic God have the same measurable reaction as someone who believes in Shiva or Vishnu.

I'm pretty certain I did read an article once about that. Seems to ring a bell.

It's no secret that believers tend to be more calm and comforted about some things than atheists. Personally, I'd rather keep looking for truth, than stop with what makes me feel comfortable, but perhaps that's just me. At any rate, if people are happy with what they believe, then good for them, they have my blessing, so to speak.

 

[BrianOnEarth]

We can see it in the lives of prisoners that are incarcerated, no? Are you asking me for my personal day to day convictions?

One of those convictions that I chose to do good over bad is, example:

I'm electrician and in the trade competition is furious. All fears of construction workers arise in their ability to sustain their job. People will cut others down to make themselves look good! People capitalize on anthers mistake to make themselves out to be more valuable in appearance to others! People character assassinate or attack anther on the job for reasons of their own, but not for any good reason. Even to say a contractor doesn't have enough adequate tools or materials for all the men on the job therefore people stop working together over adequacy, ability and fear . I have to chose to live differently. Ya'know something I get angered by a personal evil intent towards me. Ya'know how hard it is not to stoop down to their level and chop them up. Some call it politician! It's extremely hard to go against the grain or human nature in doing the right thing! I try hard to build friendships instead of enemy's and preconceiving them as though they aren't my enemy, but lost. Knowing full well I have no control over what they say or do, but knowing our names proceed us!

Example: I was working around a guy that had left his equipment, therefore; I used the equipment to get access to some work while he was away. He came back and unglued on me. I calmly said to him I was for him and not against him, also that we are on the same team, furthermore told him that my family that I had to feed was no less important than his and that I would like to work with him instead against him!

I'm a people watcher.....wondering of all the personal character disorders and traits. Wondering what makes them tic! Looking at all the good in them they offer and could offer the Kingdom of Heaven!

That's nice but you avoided my question.
My question was: What have you chosen to do wrong and why did you do it?
You have answered with examples of what you did right. Unless you mean that borrowing that guys equipment was wrong...is that what you mean? If so, and you knew it was wrong, why did you do it?

 

[BrianOnEarth]

I'm pretty certain I did read an article once about that. Seems to ring a bell.

Me too. Don't have a reference though.

It's no secret that believers tend to be more calm and comforted about some things than atheists. Personally, I'd rather keep looking for truth, than stop with what makes me feel comfortable, but perhaps that's just me. At any rate, if people are happy with what they believe, then good for them, they have my blessing, so to speak.

Ah. Have you considered the possibility that "looking for truth" makes you comfortable and that's why you do it?

 

[Ayersy]

Me too. Don't have a reference though.


Ah. Have you considered the possibility that "looking for truth" makes you comfortable and that's why you do it?

Possibly, but then there's the possibility that I may find the truth, whatever that may be. Which may be less comforting than the search for it. Unlike someone just settling with their beliefs because they find it comforts them in times of need.

There's nothing particularly comforting about nihilism anyway.

 

[Mling]

That would be an interesting study, especially as to how it correlates to the different belief structures.

I do think that it isn't strictly a belief in God that has the effect. For a while I was angry at God, and fell back into my old way of life. Lust, envy, anger etc were all a part of my lifestyle. I still believed, I just believed that He was letting me be miserable. I eventually started challenging Him and mocking Him despite the fact that I still believed He existed. I would describe it as God "thumping me on the head" and telling me to get my act together, but after a moment of immense heartache, loneliness, and questioning I began to feel that peace again.

My guess is that the belief systems themselves won't have much of an effect if adopted as an adult. I think different people, with different personality types, will feel drawn to different belief structures, and finding the one that resonates with your natural tendencies will have the strongest effect.

When I was Christian, I used to scoff when other Christians talked about finding joy and peace in Christianity. I assumed it was an affectation, because I never felt anything even close. Once I left Christianity, though, I found that I could only describe the feelings I was experiencing in that same religious language--I think I actually used the phrase, "like scales falling off my eyes," once. There are all sorts of cases, too, where people find a religious tradition they weren't raised with, they fall right in step with it and it seems to totally change them. I think it's just finding what works for you--when the belief system you affirm reenforces your natural tendencies, dramatic things can happen. Especially if you're coming right out of a belief system that was opposed to your natural tendencies.

 

[allhart]

That's nice but you avoided my question.
My question was: What have you chosen to do wrong and why did you do it?
You have answered with examples of what you did right. Unless you mean that borrowing that guys equipment was wrong...is that what you mean? If so, and you knew it was wrong, why did you do it?

In doing drugs. I knew it was dangerous, wrong and damaging and did it any ways! Taking so called calculated risks! More resent is saving our money over spending money(over what God says about my money)! Also when God wakes me up at 5am and tells me he wants to spend sometime with me. I chose to stay in bed dosing!

Ya'know I has become a custom to God's peace, so when I lose my peace I become disorientated and depressed. The loss of my joy is disheartening. Which is ultimately a separation from God! I want to please God. I want His approval. I want to be a child of God, knowing things about me will be o.k in the end.......relational! One of the attributes of having a personal relationship with God is a guilt free life, therefore; by being relational with God His people must strive to be better and Christ like! I want everlasting life!

 

[Eudaimonist]

It's no secret that believers tend to be more calm and comforted about some things than atheists.

I realize that you said "tend", but I wouldn't overgeneralize. I find being calm and pacifying such emotions fairly easy.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Ayersy]

I realize that you said "tend", but I wouldn't overgeneralize. I find being calm and pacifying such emotions fairly easy.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Yeah, I suppose it was a bit of a big generalization, everyone is different, I guess. Though it's pretty obvious that alot of people do find solace in their beliefs. I know I used to, when I was a believer.

I'm quite an aggressive person, normally, but now I actually find not having the hope and comfort to be better, as it helps me get things done. I'm definitely more productive since I figured out there's nothing and nobody watching out for me... but again, that's just me. Everybody is different.