I apologize, I’m fairly new to FreeRepublic’s reply system. I should have replied to the original poster, but must’ve clicked the wrong link. I also wrote my last post late at night on my iphone...
I’d like to extend my thoughts on the subject a bit.
When we discuss the Conservative platform regarding “moral” issues, Conservative Atheists such as myself often maintain the same values but for different reasons.
Abortion:
I’m Pro-Life, not because I believe that everyone is born with a soul, but because I believe that it demeans society. When we allow abortion, we’re telling people that adult actions don’t have consequences. That responsibility can be ignored in favor of fulfilling your personal goals. It promotes selfishness and imprudence.
Further, I don’t believe that, in many cases, it’s really the woman’s decision. I believe that plenty of abortions occur because the would-be father convinces the mother into it either by persuasion or abandonment. I refuse to let men off the hook for their actions.
Finally, I don’t believe it’s necessary. Yes, I understand that there are medical reasons, cases of rape or what have-you that may make it necessary. But to me, the frequency of those cases are so rare that it doesn’t constitute full legalization.
The Death Penalty:
I believe killing is wrong, in any sense. Just as I refuse to support abortion, I can’t in good conscious support the death penalty.
When we speak of the right and wrong of killing, what we’re really talking about is justification. If someone breaks into my house and I shoot them, while my actions are justifiable, they are still wrong. Justification does not change the morality of an action. As a human being, I have to be willing to admit that I’m capable of committing evil just as much as good.
Christians will point to the Bible and say, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” meaning that the punishment shall not exceed the crime, therefore killing a killer is fair game. But it doesn’t make it right, it only defines a justifiable response.
Gay Marriage: Ok, so I’m to the left (apparently) on this one. I have no problem with gay marriage. If two consenting adults want to spend their lives together, it’s none of my business. I’ve never actually heard a solid argument against Gay Marriage that didn’t use religion as its core.
Ok, maybe I rambled a bit too much there, but I hope I was able to illustrate that an Atheist’s moral compass doesn’t differ too far from those of you with religious beliefs.
And for the record, I despise Carl Sagan and his ilk about as much as I do Pat Robertson.
>>> I should have replied to the original poster
You did respond to the original poster... but that doesn’t really matter. Responding to a reply is fine too. It’s like lots of conversations all happening at once, most of which get started by replies to a comment such as yours. No need to apologize... welcome to FR!
>>> When we discuss the Conservative platform regarding “moral” issues, Conservative Atheists such as myself often maintain the same values but for different reasons.
The “reasons” you mention are all good points, and DO illustrate why it is possible for atheists and Christians to share moral values and/or principles. However, Christianity does not limit itself to the here and now... it deals with the eternity of the human soul. Morality apart from God necessitates nothing more than order in society.
The question that separates us is “Why does a moral compass exist in us to begin with?” Some would say it is because of our upbringing, or how we are taught. Others might say it is purely logical, and that the origin of our “moral compass” is ourselves. Such explanations are understandable and logical for those who have dismissed completely the existence of a creator... but for the Christian, our morality has it’s origins IN our creation.
Every aspect of our being including how our bodies work, how our mind thinks, and how or why emotions exist stems from design and the Creator’s control.
A common misconception among atheists about a creationist’s perspective on morality is that we are moral to avoid damnation... or that we practice good deeds and worship God to gain the promised reward of heaven in the hereafter.
The truth of the matter is that God installed morality and a basic knowledge of Him into our design. We are inherently moral with the free will to war against that morality and knowledge of God within us.
This is why I personally believe there is no such thing as a true atheist. In other words, deep down, we all KNOW there is a God, and that atheism originates from the individual convincing him/herself that He doesn’t exist... because acknowledging Him requires humility which is too painful for some.