Something close to Atheism...

[another day]

It's a common misconception that morality exists only from religion. As highly intelligent social mammals, our morals come from our social biological instincts and our societal interpretations of those instincts.

Like whales, lions, canines, apes, and elephants, human beings will protect & care for their young / cooperate with allies / compete with rivals. All of our morality can be traced to these root social instincts.

Where the confusion comes from is the sophistication of our societies. Consider the American father and the father from Saudi Arabia. Both have young daughters. Both want to protect their daughters and see them grow & be happy and protect them from sexually active boys. The American father teaches his daughter about safe sex, tells her not to have sex, discusses his expectations with her, etc. The Saudi father has his daughter's clitoris surgically removed shortly after birth.

Both men are acting in a moral fashion in their respective societies. Both men look at the practice of the other as immoral.

Never forget that most religions (Christianity especially) are types of propaganda with clear doctrinal axes to grind. One shouldn't need a supernatural babysitter to conduct oneself in a moral fashion.

That being said, if you still feel the need to look for an institution for support, I suggest you look into Secular Humanism.

Yep exactly...morals are derived from empathy, and animal pack/survival instincts, not religion.

And fyi, it's not "something close to atheism" it IS atheism. Atheism is a lack of belief in god(s), that and that alone. It is not any kind of institution. An atheist can hold any number of other beliefs about reality, such as karma or ghosts, and they most certainly can have morals.

[Cephus]

You don't need religion to be a moral person, in fact, I'd say religion often gets in the way of morality more than it helps it.

It sure hasn't helped those Catholic priests with their altar-boy addiction, has it?

[Jagged]

I wonder if there are any athieists that don't have morals. Perhaps those that are out of spite.

[Jack]

I'm sure there are. Atheism doesn't address morality, so someone who espouses atheism could be totally immoral or behave like a saint. Neither behavior would be caused by their atheism.

[Gods_Mercenary]

You're describing a human being, no need for religion. Religion is simply an organized belief system based on the supernatural. Live your life honestly and fairly in regards to your fellow humans and no one will have a reason to fault you, except those who demand that you view life through their favorite filter.

What humans do you know? Humanity is anything but fair, decent and moral.

[Scribbler1]

I wonder if there are any athieists that don't have morals. Perhaps those that are out of spite.

I would think atheists have long been aware of the fact that you don't need religion to be a moral person.

[Jack]

Humanity is anything but fair, decent and moral.

All I can tell you is that from my experience, you get back what you put in. If you approach others with a good attitude, it generally gets returned in kind. Not always, and I'm not a Pollyanna. If we're only talking about groups of people, then that dynamic doesn't respect individual input, and I'd easily agree with your assessment.

[another day]

in the end it comes down to individuals. some individuals are good, kind, caring, moral, intelligent people. some are low-browed, violent, hateful, liars, who will cheat you. Humanity cannot be lumped into one big pile.

[Nektaria]

The Saudi father has his daughter's clitoris surgically removed shortly after birth.

Both men are acting in a moral fashion in their respective societies. Both men look at the practice of the other as immoral.

While I understand your point, I just wanted to correct your statement because it is a very common misconception.

Female circumcision has NOT considered moral in Saudi Arabia since before 600 AD. Though it is practiced there by a very small percentage of the population, most view it as a terrible practice. I'm not certain as to the official legal status, but I know it is not permitted by most hospitals or clinics.

Since we are on the topic, just FYI....

You find female circumcision practiced most frequently in areas of Africa, and where it is found it is done by almost everyone regardless of their religion.

Also curiously enough, studies have shown that it does not stop orgasm...and can actually make the area more sensitive.