9 years ago
3
Should We Distrust Atheists?
Philosophical arguments aside, one might wonder about the everyday reality. Are atheists any less trustworthy than believers? Could it even be the reverse — that atheists tend to engage in more ethical behavior than believers? These are, by and large, empirical questions, and they're questions that some scientists have been rigorously tackling.
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As an atheist, if I act according to a moral compass and ethical guidelines, I do it because I choose to do so, not because I fear the incoherent and draconian laws of a psychotic, schizophrenic deity. If anything, it makes me more trustworthy than someone who only acts this way because "god commands".
This. I don't understand why people think that we need an all knowing power watching over us, waiting for us to fuck up, in order to be on our best behavior. I'm nice to people and help out where I can because I feel it's the right thing to do, not because I believe I'll be smote(smited?) if I act like a dick.
A religious person, living to please 'god' and gain entry to heaven while avoiding hell, does good in complete self interest and can never know if they are good people or not. Those who do good, atheist or not, with no expectation of reward, are the real good guys. We must take responsibility for our selves and our actions and not lean on some supernatural being for direction and support. Religious people are cowards afraid to fend for themselves.