Quote:
Quote by: ShOuLdEr  This morning my ethics professor told me bluntly during a debate in class that there can be no ethics without "God" and that any logical athiest/agnostic cannot argue against this.
I am agnostic and this offended me and I am going to write an argument against this.
Before I do so i was hoping to hear the thoughts of everyone on this forum, in the past when i've had questions i've been lead to some ideas and insights that I myself would not have considered.
I believe ethics can be based soley on social standards and laws
I found this on Ethics Without Gods
One of the first questions Atheists are asked by true believers and doubters alike is, “If you don’t believe in God, there’s nothing to prevent you from committing crimes, is there? Without the fear of hell-fire and eternal damnation, you can do anything you like, can’t you?”
this is pretty much what my professor told me.
thoughts? |
You are right and your professor is wrong. And high kudos to your high thinking mind to recognize it! Many college students just accept whatever viewpoints their instructors spew. Kudos! Kudos! Kudos!
Here is one point to argue: Our most basic reason for existence exists outside of religion but not outside of morals. When all is stripped away -- no buildings, no material possessions, no music -- the human race is here for no greater purpose than any other life form. We are here to ensure the survival of our species. We treat our children in a moral manner not because of religion but because of basic instincts. Basic instincts guide morality much, much, much more than religion.
Hope this helps!