‘If there is no external, superior moral absolute, then on what basis can she make any moral evaluation?’
you can’t imagine a situation in which ethical behavior is possible without reference to sourcing from an unknowable entity which is postulated to exist outside of time and space restraints...?
‘If there is no God, then nothing matters.’
that’s an opinion you have no empirical nor epistemological basis for making...
Predicated on what?
I've no interest in getting into an epistemological pissing contest, but it seems to me that the closest philosophical hook you have to hang your hat on is evolutionary, which is self-refuting as damn near all moral behavior is contrary to Darwinian objectives.
that’s an opinion you have no empirical nor epistemological basis for making...
I disagree, and am prepared to defend my stance. But even so, I'm interested in hearing on what materialist grounds you assign moral value: particularly in the case of absolutes?
Absolutely right. Religion is not the only (and perhaps not even the best) platform from which righteous moral principles can arise. Though I am a believer I do not equate atheism with lack of virtue in any way. Though excess zealotry on either side of the fence diminishes the virtue of both IMO.