[r9etb]

Actually, I can think of an absolute moral standard that could exist without God: Continuation of the species.

What you've described is a utilitarian system whereby anything is permitted, so long as it serves the purpose of "continuation of the species." However, even that apparently immutable standard is in fact highly subjective, as you'll quickly discover once you try to define "continuation."

Beyond that, the idea of "continuation of the species" pretty much does away with the idea of individual morality.

First, as members of "the species", we're rather like skin cells -- to live or die at the convenience of the group. But more to the point, the time scale for my choices extends generations into the future -- I can never even know the ultimate denoument of my choices. What seems like my right decision today may (1000 years from now) result in the extinction of my species.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Dang... This thread still going?

In any case, I didn't offer continuation of the species as something I believe in or even is a decent alternative. I offered it as a counter to the argument that an absolute morality cannot exist without an infinite God. Such things can exist, though they're mighty chancy things to live by.

I believe that there is an Infinite Being that created man, endowed him with natural rights, and that there is a moral standard that should be lived by. However, there is also the possibility that I could be wrong.