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Actually, there's also that "I want to be trusted" factor. If I make a habit of lying, people won't trust me, and then they might doubt my word even if I'm telling the truth.

Yes, you optimize based on the long term! Again, the only basis is how you feel. And if another atheist chooses to lie, what is the big deal? It is just your opinion over his. There's that whole "trustworthy" issue. And then there's the issue of the consequences of not telling the truth; if lying would produce an even worse result then telling the truth, they might be inclined to tell the truth no matter how "good" it made them feel.

Again, you optimize how you think you will feel over the long haul! Still the result is the same.

And, of course, this all applies to theists also. You're just singling out atheists because you're a bigot.

The theist has a moral imperative to do what is right. Of course the person can fail, but he is not right in failing. Human rights really means something for a theist. There is no basis for it for an atheist -- other than the fact that the majority decide to do it that way.

I am not a bigot -- be an atheist if you like. I am just questioning the rational basis of atheism. Does it make sense? I don't think so. In fact, it is very futile. How is it not? It seems very selfish at the heart of it. From an atheists perspective -- What is wrong with being a bigot? It is just your preference over the bigots! How can you tell him he is wrong? Again, morality is a preference. Pretty D-mn futile to me!

The theist has a moral imperative to do what is right.

So why don't all theists do "what is right"?

And why did you ignore my hypothesis regarding the human "conscience"? Did you not like the implications that a person's sense of "right and wrong" might not come from some divine agent?

I am not a bigot -- be an atheist if you like. I am just questioning the rational basis of atheism.

No you're not. You're asserting that a "rational atheist" is a sociopath. That has nothing whatsoever to do with the basis of atheism, which is a lack of belief in deities.

Does it make sense? I don't think so.

It doesn't make sense for me to lack belief in deities because I've not seen evidence for any? Should I start believing in faries and elves also? I've not seen any reason to believe in their existence either.

In fact, it is very futile.

I'm not trying to accomplish anything with my atheism, I simply lack deity-belief.

How is it not? It seems very selfish at the heart of it.

It's selfish of me to be unconvinced of the existence of any deities? What the hell have you been smoking?

From an atheists perspective -- What is wrong with being a bigot?

Well, I personally find it repugnant. From a universal standpoint, there's nothing "right" or "wrong" about anything, though.

It is just your preference over the bigots!

Yep. And lots of people agree with me.

How can you tell him he is wrong?

Because I'm offering my perspective on the matter.

Okay, now you have become as irrational as exmarine on this matter. Your whole assertion is that I can't reasonably claim an absolute basis for morality...therefore a god must exist? I'm sorry, but I don't follow your "logic"; it does not resemble our Earth logic.