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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.

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!