[nasamn777]

And given that I'm an atheist who does not behave as you suggest nor do I know any atheists who behave as you suggest, I say that you're flat-out wrong.

Let us take one point. Why should an atheist be honest? The only reason is because it makes you feel good. But what if an atheist doesn't feel good about being honest? What basis is there for him to be honest? There is none. So getting the most out of life may vary from one atheist to another. One may choose to live a "moral" life because it makes him feel good. Another may choose to rape kill and pillage because it makes him feel good. How can you -- the moral atheist -- judge the "immoral" one. And who is to decide what is moral and immoral?

Our conscience tells us that there is a right and wrong. This would seem to conflict with the atheists world view. Right and Wrong -- to an atheist -- is based on what makes you feel good.

[Dimensio]

Why should an atheist be honest?

I don't want a reputation as a liar. It degrades credibility for anything that I say.

The only reason is because it makes you feel good.

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.

But what if an atheist doesn't feel good about being honest?

Then they might lie. A theist might also lie. What basis is there for him to be honest? There is none.

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.

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

So getting the most out of life may vary from one atheist to another.

I see that you've changed from your "a rational atheist behaves like a monster" argument without actually acknowledging that it was wrong from the beginning.

One may choose to live a "moral" life because it makes him feel good. Another may choose to rape kill and pillage because it makes him feel good.

So might -- and have, for that matter -- a theist.

How can you -- the moral atheist -- judge the "immoral" one. And who is to decide what is moral and immoral?

I can't claim an absolute basis for determining morality. But then, I never claimed such an ability.

Our conscience tells us that there is a right and wrong. This would seem to conflict with the atheists world view. Right and Wrong -- to an atheist -- is based on what makes you feel good.

Why do you think that our conscience tells us what is "right and wrong"? Perhaps we are conditioned for it during our lives -- there is, in fact, quite a bit of evidence that many (if not all) of our perceptions of what is right or wrong are based upon influences upon our minds as we develop from a young age. I don't see what you're trying to argue here, because I don't see you presenting evidence that anything that our "conscience" tells us has a supernatural source.

[Right Wing Professor]

Why should an atheist be honest?

A better question: why should a Christian be a liar? Of course, he shouldn't. But so many self declared Christians are.

In case you're interested, I can give you some compelling reasons why everyone should be honest.

[js1138]

Why should an atheist be honest?

Is ther any crime, short of suicide, for which a Christian cannot be forgiven?